Picture a warrior whose mere presence on the battlefield could shift the tides of fate. Barbarik was no ordinary hero; Barbarik could have single-handedly defeated all five Pandavas and the entire Kaurava army. He was so powerful and overwhelming that Lord Krishna, recognizing the threat he posed to the balance of the great war, persuaded him to abstain from participating in the conflict,
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Barbarik’s Legendary Ancestry
Barbarik’s lineage was nothing short of extraordinary:
- His Father: Ghatotkacha, a demon prince of immense magical prowess, was the beloved son of Bhima the mighty Pandava.
- His Mother: Ahilavati, also known by her maiden name Mourvi, was Ghatotkacha’s wife and the mother of Barbarik. She was a naga kanya, or snake-girl, believed to be the daughter of Vasuki, the sacred serpent of Shiva.
The Power of Babarik’s Three Arrows:
Babarik gained his incredible strength through the blessings of Ma Kamakhya. After performing deep and devoted prayers to the goddess, Ma Kamakhya was pleased with his dedication and rewarded him with three divine arrows. These arrows held immense power. Each arrow had a specific purpose and could be used endlessly in a battle.
- The First Arrow: This arrow had the power to identify and mark all the enemies on the battlefield. Once released, it would fly across the battlefield and leave a red glowing mark on every soldier Babarik intended to destroy. This arrow could never miss its target and ensured every enemy was marked for destruction.
- The Second Arrow: The second arrow was equally powerful but served a different purpose. Once released, it would mark all the things and people Babarik wished to protect or spare. This arrow would place a protective green mark on those he intended to keep safe, ensuring they remained unharmed no matter what happened in the battle.
- The Third Arrow: The final arrow was the ultimate weapon. After the first two arrows had done their job of marking the targets and those to be spared, this third arrow would destroy everything marked by the first arrow in one strike. It would effortlessly wipe out all the enemies, while sparing anything marked by the second arrow, with incredible precision.
Oath of Babarik: Shifting the Destiny of Kurukshetra
Babarik had the power to win the entire Mahabharata battle, capable of defeating all the armies at Kurukshetra. However, his fate, and the fate of the war, changed due to his promise to his guru, Vijay Sidh Sen. He vowed to always fight for the weaker side in any battle and to use his powerful arrows in a battle, not for personal glory. This oath eventually led to his sacrifice, costing him his head.
Why Lord Krishna Asked for Babarik’s Head Before the Kurukshetra War
Upon hearing that the great Mahabharata war was about to begin, Babarik was eager to participate. Excited to join the battle, he sought blessings from his mother Ahilavati and set off for Kurukshetra. He met his father Bhima, the Pandavas, and Lord Krishna along the way. When they learned of Babarik’s incredible powers, they were thrilled and expected him to fight for the Pandavas. However, Lord Krishna, concerned about Babarik’s powers, decided to test him.
Lord Krishna led Babarik to a mango tree and asked him to demonstrate the power of his arrows by only damaging the dry leaves, leaving the green ones and branches unharmed. Babarik shot his first arrow, marking all the dry leaves.
Lord Krishna secretly hid one dry leaf under his foot as he prepared to use the second arrow. After Babarik released his second arrow, it marked all the leaves to be protected. When he shot the third arrow, it destroyed all the dry leaves—except the one under Lord Krishna’s foot. The third arrow circled Lord Krishna’s foot until Babarik politely asked him to remove his foot. Lord Krishna, impressed, removed his foot, and the arrow destroyed the last leaf.
Everyone in the Pandava camp was overjoyed to have such a powerful warrior on their side, except for Lord Krishna, who was troubled. He told Babarik that if he wanted to participate in the war, he must first die. Shocked, Babarik questioned Lord Krishna, explaining that as a Kshatriya, it was his duty to fight. Confused, the Pandavas asked Lord Krishna why he made such a statement.
Lord Krishna explained that due to Babarik’s vow to always support the weaker side, he would initially fight for the Pandavas since the Kauravas had a larger army. However, Babarik’s immense power would quickly weaken the Kauravas, making them the weaker side, at which point he would switch sides to support them. This cycle would continue, leading to the destruction of all warriors, including his father Bhima, until only Babarik remained on the battlefield.
The Pandavas were shocked by this revelation and asked Babarik if he would truly follow this course. Tearfully, Babarik confirmed that, due to his vow, he had no choice but to follow the path he had promised. Seeing his dedication to both dharma and his oath, Lord Krishna asked Babarik to sacrifice his head to prevent such a scenario from unfolding. Babarik, honoring Lord Krishna and his vow, willingly gave up his head as a sacrifice, ensuring the balance of the war remained intact.
The Majestic Sacrifice:
After Barbarik offered his head to Krishna, he was blessed to watch the entire Kurukshetra war. His head was placed on a hill, giving him a clear view of the battlefield. From there, he saw that Krishna’s actions were what led to the Pandavas’ victory. Over time, people began worshipping Barbarik as “Khatu Shyam,” and today his temple in Rajasthan stands as a symbol of his devotion and sacrifice.
The Famous Khatu Shyam Temple:
Barbarik’s heroism is immortalized in the renowned Khatu Shyam Temple:
- Location: The sacred Khatu Shyam Temple is nestled in Khatu, a scenic village in Rajasthan’s Sikar district.
- Significance: Here, Barbarik is worshipped as Khatu Shyam, also known as “Hare Ka Sahara,” meaning “support of the helpless.” The temple is a place of devotion where many people come to honor his sacrifice and seek his blessings, and devotees visit in large numbers.
- Celebrations: Every year, the birth anniversary of Khatu Shyam, known as his “Avatarn Divas,” is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the month of Kartik. On this special occasion, the temple is beautifully decorated, and a large number of devotees gather to offer their prayers.
Also Read: Most Frequently asked FAQ’S on Barbarik
Who was Barbarik in Mahabharata?
Barbarik was the grandson of Bhima and the son of Ghatotkacha. He was a warrior blessed with extraordinary power, particularly his three unbeatable arrows, which earned him the name Teen Baan Dhaari (One with Three Arrows). Barbarik was known for his promise to always fight on the side of the weaker force in any battle.
Why did Barbarik not fight in Mahabharata?
Barbarik did not participate in the war because lord Krishna tested him and realized that his power was so great that if he fought, the battle would be over too quickly, favoring the side that seemed weaker at any moment. Krishna, to prevent this imbalance, asked for Barbarik’s head as a donation before the battle. Barbarik offered his head, which later witnessed the entire war.
How barbarik become khatu shyam?
After his sacrifice, Barbarik was blessed by Krishna, and over time, he came to be worshipped as Khatu Shyam, also known as “Hare Ka Sahara,” meaning “support of the helpless.” The place where his head was kept became a revered site, and today, his temple in Rajasthan is an important place of worship
Where is the Khatu Shyam temple located?
The Khatu Shyam Temple is located in Khatu, a village in the Sikar district of Rajasthan. It is dedicated to Barbarik, who is worshipped there as Khatu Shyam
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