Kaumodaki is the Gada (mace or club) of Bhagwan Shri Hari Vishnu. Krishna , the Purna Avatar of Vishnu, received the
Kaumodaki Mace from Agni. Legend has it that Agni gave Vishnu the mace for
helping in performing the Khandava Dahanam or the burning of the Khandava
forest. The story how Vishnu got Kaumodaki mace is found in the Adi Parva of
the Mahabharata.
Agni had got the Kaumodaki Mace from Varuna, the sea
god.
Once there was a king named Shwetaki. He conducted several
types of yajnas for several years and this filled the kingdom with smoke. The
yajna place was continuously under smoke and the Rishis found it difficult to
even breathe. They all left the place.
This did not deter Shwetaki who decided to conduct another
yajna for 12 years but none of the Rishis were ready to take part in it.
Shvetaki then prayed to Shiva for a solution and He gave him
Durvaasas as the priest for the yajna.
Durvaasas continued the yajna for 12 years pouring unlimited
materials into Agni.
Agni was now overfed and could no longer take anymore food.
His brilliance started to fade and this started causing imbalance in the
universe.
He then approached Brahma for a solution.
Brahma said that his indigestion will be cured if he burns
down the Khandava forest which has become the abode of those people practicing
Adharma.
He immediately started burning down the forest but Indra
created heavy rain and put out the fire. Takshaka a friend of Indra was
residing in the forest so the came to his help.
Agni again approached Brahma who said that he will succeed
in burning down the forest when Nara-Narayana visits the place.
He waited for the right opportunity.
One day Arjuna and Sri Krishna arrived at the Khandava
forest. Agni disguised as a saint approached them knowing that they are
Nara-Narayana.
Arjuna and Krishna agreed
to help Agni.
Agni then gave Krishna the
Kaumodaki Mace.