Lord Krishna destroyed the city of Kashi and its wicked rulers as a direct and forceful retaliation against an unprovoked magical attack aimed at his city, Dvaraka. This decisive action was taken to protect Dvaraka from annihilation.
The Provocation: An Attack on Dvaraka
The events leading to Kashi's destruction originated from an act of aggression by the son of the king of Kashi. Driven by malice or rivalry, he orchestrated a sinister plot to devastate Lord Krishna's prosperous city, Dvaraka.
- The Kritya: To achieve his destructive goal, the son of Kashi's king dispatched a powerful, malevolent entity known as a 'Kritya'. A Kritya is a formidable magical construct or being, often conjured through dark rituals, designed to inflict widespread destruction and death upon its target.
Krishna's Divine Intervention and Kashi's Fate
Upon learning of the impending threat to Dvaraka, Lord Krishna immediately responded to safeguard his realm and its inhabitants. He unleashed his iconic divine weapon, the Sudarshana Chakra.
The Sudarshana Chakra, a powerful spinning discus of cosmic energy, acted swiftly and decisively:
- Neutralization of the Threat: The Chakra first intercepted and chased away the 'Kritya', preventing it from reaching Dvaraka and fulfilling its destructive purpose.
- Retribution on Kashi: After neutralizing the Kritya, the Sudarshana Chakra did not stop. It proceeded directly to Kashi, the source of the attack. There, it:
- Killed the wicked rulers of Kashi who were responsible for instigating the assault on Dvaraka.
- Completely destroyed the city of Kashi itself, bringing a definitive end to the threat and serving as a consequence for their hostile actions.
This swift and overwhelming response by Krishna ensured the protection of Dvaraka and delivered divine justice to those who sought its downfall.
Summary of Events Leading to Kashi's Destruction
| Stage | Description | Key Element |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Provocation | The son of the king of Kashi attempts to destroy Dvaraka. | Sent a powerful 'Kritya' |
| 2. Defense of Dvaraka | Lord Krishna responds to protect his city and people. | Unleashed Sudarshana Chakra |
| 3. Consequence for Kashi | The Sudarshana Chakra eliminates the threat and delivers retribution. | 'Kritya' neutralized, Kashi's wicked rulers killed, Kashi destroyed |
