Barbarik: A Journey from Excellent Warrior to Becoming Khatu Shyaam

We all know the story of the Mahabharata, the war between two groups namely Kauravas and Pandavas. We are also familiar with some great warriors who fought in the war. From Bhishma, who had a boon of ichamritru (that is he would die only after his wish), to Dronacharya, the teacher of the Kauravas and Pandavas and from Karna, the one who is known as Digvijay (the one who has won all the directions) to Arjuna, remembered as the best archer of the world the whole plot of Mahabharata is full of the names of great warriors but there is one name which remains in the mist. His name is Barbarik. Barbarik could end the war in a moment with only one bow. 

Who was Barbarik?

Teen Baan Dhari

Barbarik was the son of Ghatotkacha(father) and Ahilavati alias Mauravi(Mother). He was the grandson of Pandava warrior Bheema, the second eldest Pandava. He was brought up by his mother who taught him warfare also. He was a great devotee of Lord Shiva who, in boon, gave him three infallible arrows (teen bana) which made him invincible. He is also known as 'teenbaandhari'. There is another story that tells that these three banas(arrows) were given to him by 'Ashtdeva', eight deities.

Barbarik and Kurukshetra War

When Barbarik learns the Kurukshetra war is to be fought between Kauravas and Pandavas he decided to see the war. Before leaving for Kurukshetra he promised his mother that if there comes a situation where he needs to participate in the war he would be fighting from the side which is losing.

Here at Kurukshetra, before the war, Krishna asks the prominent warriors that 'how long would it take him to finish the war single-handedly?' Bhishma says 20 days, Drona 25 days, Karna 24 days and Arjuna 28 days.

Barbarik meets Krishna: The Dialogue

Barbarika approaches Kurukshetra but before he could reach there Krishna meets him in the way disguised as a brahmin. Brahmin(Krishna) asks the same question to him. Barbarik replies, "In a moment". Brahmin asks him how then Barbarika explains," My first arrow will destroy all my opponents, My second arrow will save all that I want to save and my third arrow will destroy all that is left from the two arrows". Krishna wanted to test him so he asked Barbarik to mark all the leaves of a Peepal tree present there. Barbarik agrees and starts meditating. Krishna plucks one leaf from the tree and hides it under his foot. When Barbarik releases his arrow it marks all the leaves and starts roaming above Krishna's foot. The brahmin(Krishna) asks about the behaviour of the arrow Barbarik tells him that there must be a leaf under his foot, he must take his foot back else the arrow will pierce his foot. Krishna takes his foot back and the arrow marks the leaf before going back to Barbarik.

Krishna's Explanation

After verifying Barbarik's ability to actually finish the war in a moment and learning about his promise to his mother Krishna explains to Barbarik the complexity of his promise. He tells Barbarik that due to the fewer number of soldiers in the Pandava Army he will start participating from the Pandava side but as he joins the Pandava side the Kaurava side will become the weaker one. So he will have to switch the side and again as he joins the Kaurava side the Pandava side will become weaker and again he will have to switch the side. So he will keep switching sides and at the last, he will destroy all and will remain the sole survivor of the war. Barbarik realises what Krishna wants to convey. The Brahmin (Krishna), then, asks for Barbarik's head. Barbarik then knew who the Brahmin was but he asked him to show his real form. Krishna reveals his actual almighty form to Barbarik. Barbarik is believed to be one of the two persons whom Krishna shows his almighty one, the other being Arjuna.

Barbarik gives his head but before doing this he asked Krishna to allow him to watch the whole war. Krishna agrees. He places his head on a mountain from where Barbarik saw the whole Mahabharata war.

Barbarik

Who was the greatest?

After the war finished the Pandavas started arguing who among themselves is the greatest warrior. Krishna suggests going to Barbarik to end the confusion. When asked Barbarik said," I saw the whole war and I saw only two movements. The Sudarshana (Krishna's weapon) cleaning adharma and Devi Mahakali taking adharmis as her sacrifice."

Pandavas knew that they were just instruments used by the divine to clear the sinners from the Earth.

Barbarik worshipped as Khatu Shyam

Baba Khatu Shyam

After the war ended Krishna drowned the head in a river named Rupavati. Years after Dwapar Yuga ended once there was a cow who was grazing near the burial point. Once she reached the burial point milk started flowing from the cow's udder. People saw this unusual event. To find the reason they dug the place and found one head. The location was in the state named Khatu. The then king of Khatu was Roopsing Chauhan had a dream that he should build a temple at the spot. He built the temple and placed the head inside it. The place where the head was buried is known as Shyam Kund today.

Barbarik is also worshipped as Aksha Bhairav and king Yalamber in Nepal and Baliya Dev (Dev with superpower) in Gujarat.