The Sudarshan Chakra is one of the most powerful and iconic weapons in Hindu mythology. It is the spinning, disc-like weapon that Lord Krishna used to protect dharma and destroy evil. But have you ever wondered—who actually gave Krishna the Sudarshan Chakra?

The answer isn’t just one story. There are several beautiful traditions and legends about how Krishna came to possess this divine weapon. Let’s explore them.

1️⃣ The Innate Weapon of Vishnu

Many devotees believe that the Sudarshan Chakra was not given to Krishna by anyone. Since Krishna is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, it is said he always possessed it. The Chakra is seen as an inseparable part of Vishnu himself, symbolizing his power to maintain cosmic order and destroy evil.

In this belief, Krishna did not receive the Chakra from another being—it was his by divine nature.

2️⃣ Forged by Vishvakarma

Another popular legend says the Sudarshan Chakra was crafted by Vishvakarma, the divine architect of the gods.

According to this story, Vishvakarma took the intense brilliance of Surya (the sun god) and reduced its heat for Surya’s sake. With that extracted energy, he forged several divine weapons, one of which was the Sudarshan Chakra. This powerful disc was then given to Lord Vishnu to help him maintain order in the universe.

3️⃣ Gifted by Lord Shiva

There is also a beautiful story of devotion and sacrifice. In this version, Lord Vishnu performed deep penance to please Lord Shiva.

Vishnu offered a thousand lotus flowers to Shiva as part of his worship. When he found one missing, he offered his own eye to complete the count. Pleased by Vishnu’s dedication, Lord Shiva gifted him the Sudarshan Chakra as a reward for his unwavering devotion.

4️⃣ Given by Parashurama

In some traditions and regional retellings, it is said that Parashurama—the warrior-sage and an earlier avatar of Vishnu—gave the Sudarshan Chakra to Krishna.

This version is less widely known but is sometimes mentioned in storytelling traditions and television adaptations. It emphasizes the passing of martial knowledge and divine weapons between incarnations of Vishnu.

How Krishna Used the Sudarshan Chakra

No matter which origin story you prefer, the Sudarshan Chakra is central to many of Krishna’s divine acts. He used it to:

Defeat powerful enemies like Shishupala and Narakasura.

Protect the city of Dwarka from attacks.

Aid Arjuna in the Kurukshetra war by creating an eclipse to defeat Jayadratha.

Maintain dharma by destroying evil whenever it arose.

The Chakra represents not just physical power but also spiritual wisdom, righteousness, and the will to uphold cosmic balance.

✨ Conclusion

The question of who gave the Sudarshan Chakra to Krishna has many beautiful answers.

For some, it is his own eternal weapon as Vishnu.

For others, it was forged by Vishvakarma and given to Vishnu.

Some remember Shiva’s gift in response to Vishnu’s devotion.

Others recall Parashurama passing it on to Krishna.

Each story highlights themes of divine cooperation, devotion, and the eternal mission to protect righteousness. Ultimately, the Sudarshan Chakra stands as a powerful symbol of Krishna’s promise to destroy evil and safeguard dharma for all time.