How Lord Krishna Received the Sudarshan Chakra from Agni

This is not a tale of destruction for power. It is a story about restoring balance, fulfilling divine duty, and returning a sacred weapon to its rightful bearer.

The episode unfolds during Krishna’s time in Indraprastha, when the fire god Agni sought relief from a divine affliction and a conflict arose between fire, rain, and duty, drawing Krishna and Arjuna into an event that would shape the course of dharma.

Agni’s Illness and Brahma’s Command

In the Mahabharata, Lord Agni, the god of fire, became weak and ill. The reason was unusual. Agni had consumed too many sacrificial offerings during yajnas and could no longer digest them. His fire lost its strength.

Agni approached Brahma for guidance.

Brahma granted him permission to burn and consume the Khandava Forest. The forest contained rare medicinal herbs and powerful energies. Consuming it would restore Agni’s health and strength.

But there was a serious obstacle.

Why Indra Protected the Khandava Forest

The Khandava Forest was protected by Indra, the king of the devas. Indra defended the forest because his close friend, the Naga king Takshaka, lived there.

Every time Agni tried to burn the forest, Indra sent heavy rains to extinguish the fire. Agni failed again and again.

Unable to succeed alone, Agni decided to seek human help.

Agni’s Request to Krishna and Arjuna

Disguised as a Brahmana, Agni approached Krishna and Arjuna on the banks of the Yamuna River.

Agni revealed his true form and explained his suffering. He requested their help to stop Indra’s interference and allow the forest to burn.

Krishna immediately understood that this was not an act of violence, but a necessary act of dharma. He agreed to help Agni, and Arjuna stood beside him.

Divine Weapons from Varuna

To prepare them for battle, Agni summoned Varuna, who provided divine weapons:

Arjuna received the Gandiva bow, an inexhaustible supply of arrows, and an indestructible chariot.

Krishna was gifted the Sudarshan Chakra and the Kaumodaki mace.

Agni told Krishna that the Sudarshan Chakra already belonged to him. It was being returned to its rightful owner and possessed the power to defeat any force, always returning to the wielder.

Author’s Note

Before the Sudarshan Chakra came into Krishna’s hands, it already had a sacred and ancient origin. According to the Vishnu Purana and the Linga Purana, the celestial architect Vishvakarma created the Sudarshan Chakra from the radiant dust of the sun after reducing the sun’s intensity so his daughter could live safely with her husband, Surya. From this divine solar essence, Vishvakarma forged several powerful weapons, with the Sudarshan Chakra becoming the foremost discus of Lord Vishnu. The name itself comes from su (auspicious) and darshan (vision), reflecting not just a weapon of destruction, but a symbol of divine sight, justice, and cosmic order. Whenever Vishnu incarnated to restore dharma, the Chakra manifested when it was needed most.

During Krishna’s incarnation, the Sudarshan Chakra was held in divine custodianship by Agni, the god of fire. As a purifier, the carrier of sacred offerings, and a trusted cosmic force, Agni served as a fitting guardian of the weapon until it was rightfully returned to Krishna during the Khandava Forest episode.

The Burning of the Khandava Forest

As Agni began to burn the forest with full force, Indra responded with fierce rain and storms. He also sent devas and celestial beings to protect Khandava.

Arjuna created a massive canopy of arrows in the sky. This shield blocked the rain and allowed the fire to spread without interruption.

Krishna stood firm beside Arjuna. Together, they defeated all the devas and celestial beings sent by Indra. No force could break their defense.

The forest continued to burn until Agni’s task was complete.

What Happened After the Forest Burned

The Khandava Forest was destroyed, and Agni regained his lost strength.

Only a few beings escaped:

Maya the Asura, who later built the magnificent assembly hall of the Pandavas

Ashwasena, the son of Takshaka, who would later seek revenge. (click this link to read this story.)

The cleared land became the site of Indraprastha, the grand capital city of the Pandavas.

After the task was complete, Agni confirmed to Krishna that the Sudarshan Chakra was fully his. He declared that the weapon would serve Krishna in future battles whenever dharma needed protection.

The Deeper Meaning of This Story

This story teaches that:

The Sudarshan Chakra is a weapon of justice, not anger

Krishna acts only when cosmic balance demands it

Even Indra, the king of the gods, can be opposed when dharma is at stake