Story of name Varanasi

This story is from Dwaparyug when Lord Krishna’s Sudarshan Chakra burnt Kashi to ashes. Later it became famous as Varanasi. This story is as follows:
King Jarasandha of Magadha was very powerful and cruel. He had countless soldiers and divine weapons. This was the reason why all the nearby kings felt friendly towards him. Jarasandha had two daughters named Asti and Prasti. She was married to King Kansa of Mathura.

Kansa was a very sinful and evil king. To save the people from his atrocities, Lord Krishna killed him. Jarasandha became angry after hearing the news of his son-in-law’s death. Burning with the flame of vengeance, Jarasandha attacked Mathura several times. But every time Shri Krishna would defeat him and leave him alive.
Once he attacked Mathura along with Kalingaraj Paundrak and Kashiraj. But Lord Krishna defeated him too. Jarasandha escaped but Paundrak and Kashiraj were killed at the hands of God.

After Kashiraj, his son became Kashiraj and decided to take revenge from Shri Krishna. He knew the power of Shri Krishna. Therefore, he pleased Lord Shiva by performing rigorous penance and asked for a boon to eliminate him. Lord Shiva asked him to ask for some other boon. But he remained adamant on his demand.

Then Shiva created a terrible ritual with mantras and while giving it said – “Vatsa! Whatever direction you order it to go, it will burn the kingdom situated in that direction to ashes. But keep in mind, do not use it on any Brahmin devotee. Otherwise its effect will be ineffective.” Saying this Lord Shiva disappeared.

Here, after killing the evil Kalayavan, Shri Krishna came to Dwarka with all the people of Mathura. Kashiraj sent Kritya towards Dwarka to kill Shri Krishna. Kashiraj did not know that Lord Krishna was a Brahmin devotee. Therefore, even after reaching Dwarka, Kritya could not do any harm to him. On the contrary, Shri Krishna moved his Sudarshan Chakra towards him. Sudarshan spewed fierce fire towards Krita. Seeing her life in danger, Kritya got scared and ran towards Kashi.

Sudarshan Chakra also started following him. After reaching Kashi, Sudarshan burnt Kritya to ashes. But still his anger did not subside and he destroyed Kashi.

Later, this city was re-established between two rivers named Vara and Asi. Due to being situated between the Vara and Asi rivers, this city was named Varanasi. In this way Kashi can be regenerated as Varanasi.