The Sudarshana And The Star, The Jews and The Vaishnavas

The star rangoli in the above picture (red arrow mark) is something that most Vaishnavas draw in front of God in the sanctum in their home. This star pattern is something that is shown in the Sudarshana Chakra too (blue arrow mark).

Chakra Ayuda Purusha, Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudarshana_Chakra

Sudarshana Chakra is a spinning disc like weapon used by Lord Vishnu. The Sudarshana Chakra may be depicted as Ayuda Purusha ( Anthropomorphic form). Sudarshana is depicted as a fierce form of Vishnu. According to the Puranas, Sudarshana Chakra is used for the ultimate destruction of an enemy. The depiction of Vishnu with Sudarshana Chakra also means that Vishnu is the keeper-owner of the celestial bodies and heavens. The use of the Sudarshan Chakra is occasionally mentioned in the Hindu texts of Rigveda, Yajurveda and Puranas, as an ultimate weapon of law, order and preservation to eliminate the enemy .While it is depicted as subordinate figure with Lord Vishnu, in many South Indian Vishnu temple, the chakra as an ayudhapurusha is worshipped in its own shrine attached to the central temple. The word Sudarshana is derived from two Sanskrit words – Su(सु) meaning "good/auspicious" and Darshana (दर्शन) meaning "vision". Hence, the word Sudarshana collectively means "vision of which is auspicious". Sudarshana is generally worshiped during Homas to ward off negative powers or vibrations. The word chakra is derived from the word Chruhu (चृ:) meaning movement and kruhu(कृ:) meaning to do. Hence, chakra collectively means the one which is mobile. Among all the Vedic weapons, Sudarshana Chakra is the only mobile weapon.^[3]

Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudarshana_Chakra

In SriRangam, Ranganatha temple, the shrine on the right hand side to the main Sri Ranga Sanctum is called as "Chakratu Alwar". In this shrine, stands Sudarshana Chakra (Charatu Alwar), depicted in the picture above with blue arrow mark. Sudarshana Chakra is also called as the 'Chakra Ayuda), ayuda means weapon. And, the weapon as shown in the above picture is also shown as Chakra Ayuda Purusha. Lord Vishnu holds this Chakra on his right hand and holds a Conch (Shanka) on his left hand. The picture below represents Lord Vishnu with Sudrashana Chakra in his right hand. Vaishnavas even mark their body with such symbols. One can see the star pattern in the Chakra in the picture below.

Image Source: http://www.bhakti-tattva.blogspot.in/2015/09/tapta-mudra-dharana.html

In many Vaishnava home, there could be a Sudarshana Chakra Yantra in their sanctum. The following picture shows the star pattern in the middle of the Sudarshana Chakra Yantra that we have in our home. The picture also shows the Chakra on the right and Shanka on the left.

We also draw this star pattern inside the chakra when we draw Shanku Chakra Rangoli. In some homes, like my mother's family, this is a daily job. My mother draws Shanku and Chakra with a star pattern inside of the Chakra in front of Tulsi plant. Here, in the picture below, I have drawn the star pattern inside the chakra in my pooja room. (blue arrow mark)

Hence, this star pattern is a very significant symbol for all Vaishnavas. Vaishnavas, know for sure that any Vaishnava temple that we go to, we get to watch this Sudarshana Chakra. We know Lord Krishna carries this Sudarshana Chakra. Shishupala was killed using this weapon. And, we know many details and information related to this star symbol. Every Vaishnava home is decorated with this symbol. Every Vaishnava temple has a separate shrine for this star symbol weapon of Lord Vishnu, that nobody can deny. When we visit a Vishnu temple, we are sure to visit Sudarshana Chakra Shrine and we are sure to see this symbol adorn every Vaishnava temple walls. Some Hindus also write the symbol 'ohm' in the middle of the star. Does this star symbol has any significance in other religions? Let us take a look. 

In Judaism, this star symbol is called as the 'Star of David", a widely recognized symbol named after King David of ancient Israel. According to legend, the Star of David may have originated from the Shield of David (known as the Magen David in Hebrew). It may also have evolved from the mysterious Seal of Solomon that was used in the ancient world. 

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_of_David

This symbol was also adopted as the main symbol on the modern flag of the State of Israel created in 1948. The flag was designed for the Zionist Movement in 1891. The star symbol in the center represents the Star of David (Magen David), Jewish Symbol dating from late medieval Prague, which was adopted by the First Zionist Congress in 1897.

The Hebrew word for the symbol is 'Ot' (I wondered if this could be a distorted word for Ohm). This symbol in Judaism denoted not only a sign, but also a visible religious token between God and Man. The blue color symbolizes the God's Glory, purity and Gevurah (God's Severity). Blue in Judaism also symbolizes divinity, because blue is the color of the sky and sea. It can also represent equilibrium, since its hue suggests a shade midway between white and black, day and night. 

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Israel

The following picture represents the star of David in the oldest surviving complete copy of the Masoretic text, the Leningrad Codex, dated 1008.

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_of_David

Morocco Flag used in the early 20th century.

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_of_David

The Jew's fancy for the blue color and the star symbol leaves me with wonder and makes me ask, "Are the Jews actually Vaishnavas, did they pray to Lord Krishna?" The word 'Ot' looks like a distorted 'Ohm'. Blue represents Krishna,  Vishnu and Narayana. We call Lord Krishna as Neela Mega Shyama. Neela means blue, mega means Sky. We compare Lord Krishna with Neel Megh, blue sky. For Vaishnavas, blue represents Krishna and his purity whereas for Jews, blue represents purity of God. The star of David is known to have originated from a Shield, even for Vaishnavas this symbol represents a weapon, Sriman Narayana's shield.

Is it possible that the Jews of Judaism are Vaishnavas and that their God is Lord Krishna?

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_of_David

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_symbolism

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_in_Judaism

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Star_of_David