Untold Story Of Shri Khatu Shyam- Heroic Barbarbika

By Author: gaurav seth
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We all know about The mighty Bhima's son Ghatotkach. Heroic Ghatotkach was married to Murvi - the daughter of Datyraj Moore. Maurvi is also known by the names of Kamkantka and Ahilyawati . Heroic Ghatotkach and Queen Maurvi received their gem like son. The baby was named Barbarika because of resemblance of his hairs like a Babbar Sher (A kind of Lion in India). This heroic Barbarika is known around the world today as 'Khatu Shyam'.
In his childhood, Heroic Barbarika was educated by Lord Krishna to support the weak and do charity. With his might he killed many demons who used to prevent weak rishi - munis in performing the ritual - religious veneration etc. He bacame the Student of a Brahman named Vijay. He protected the Yagya of this Brahmans from the demons and help the Brahman so that Yagya to be completed. Thus Lord Shiva revealed himself to Barbarika and gifted him three arrows, that could win all the three worlds.
When declaration of Mahabharata war was done Barbarika asked his mother to attend the war. Mother had commanded him to participate in the war with the promise that you will be performing alongside ...
... the loser in the battle.
The Consequence of Barbarika's word to his mother
Krishna then asks the boy whom he would favor in the war. Barbarika reveals that he intends to fight for the side whichever is weak. As Pandavas have only seven Akshouni army, when compared to Kauravas eleven, he considers that Pandavas are weak and hence wants to support them so that Pandavas will become victorious. But Krishna asks him, did he seriously gave a thought about the consequences before giving such a word to his mother (to support the weak side). Barbarika guesses that his support to the weaker side will make them victorious. Then, Krishna reveals the actual consequence of his word to his mother:
Krishna tells that, according to the strategy of Kauravas not the entire eleven Akshouni army will be used to wage a war on the first day. Hence, the part of Kaurava's army that comes before Pandavas on the first day, will be completely destroyed by Barbarika. But, that part of Kaurava's army that does not come before Pandavas on the first day will become weak. This will force Barbarika to support Kauravas and fight against Pandavas. Now, Barbarika will destroy that part of Pandavas army that comes before Kauravas. The remaining part of Pandavas army that does not come before Barbarika will now become very weak. Thus, whichever side he supports will only make the other side weak due to his phenomenal power and nobody will be able to defeat him. Thus, in an actual war, he will keep oscillating between the two sides, thereby destroying the entire army of both sides and eventually only he will remain. Subsequently, none of the side is victorious as he will be the only lone survivor. Hence, Krishna avoids his participation from the war by seeking his head in Charity.
When Lord Krishna came to know about the oath of Barbarika he decided to test it. When heroic Barbarika proceeded for participation in the war Lord Krishna met him in the path asked about the features of three arrows. Veer Barbarika said the first arrow marks all enemy, second destroys all the enemies and there has not been a need for the third arrow until today. Pointing to a tree, Lord Krishna said, "Suppose this space as battlefield and the tree leaves as the enemies and use it to show your combat skills".
Meanwhile Shri Krishna, unknowingly to Barbarika plucked a leaf from the tree and put it under His foot. After seeing the warfare skills of Barbarika Shri Krishna asked if all the leaves of the tree have been pierced by the arrow? After getting an affirmative answer from Barbarika Shri Krishna lifted his foot from the leaf and got surprised to see the even that leave was pierced off.
Act of Charity Veer Barbarika
The guised Krishna then sought charity from Barbarika. promised him anything he wished. Krishna asked him to give his head in charity. Barbarika was shocked. Perceiving that all was not as it appeared, he requested the Brahmin to disclose his real identity. Krishna showed Barbarika a vision of His Divine Form and Barbarika was thus graced. Krishna then explained to him that before a battle, the head of the bravest Kshatriya needs to be sacrificed, in order to worship/sanctify the battlefield. Krishna said that he considered Barbarika to be the bravest among Kshatriyas, and was hence asking for his head in charity. In fulfilment of his promise, and in compliance with the Krishna's command, Barbarika gave his head to him in charity. This happened on the 12th day of the Shukla Paksha (bright half) of the month of phaagun on Tuesday.
Bearing witness to the war
At the end of the Mahabharata war Yudhishtira set a victory column at Bhramasarovar. Pandavas began to argue about who made the Mahabharata war won. They went to Shri Krishna to decide this. Lord Krishna said that Barbarika can decide this as he has seen the whole war as a witness.
To decide this, as commanded by Shri Krishna, the Pandavas brought the head of Barbarika and installed it on the Victory Column (at Draupadi Koop, Bhramasarovar, Kurukshetra). Barbarika replied that I could only see the Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Krishna and Khappar of Draupadi that is all got killed by the Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Krishna and Draupadi (in form of Devi Kali) drinking the blood of the martyrs.
At the end of the Mahabharata, this head went into the earth. According to the grace of Lord Krishna, in Kaliyuga Shri Krishna Ji appeared in the dream of the king of Khatu place in Rajasthan and asked him to dig up the holy head and install it in Khatu. Today the same holy head of heroic Barbarika is worshipped as Shree Khatu Shyam.
The place where Shri Krishna tested Barbarika is located at Beed Barbaran near Talwandi Rana in Hisar. The leaves of the Tree there are still pierced. The place where Head of heroic Barbarika was placed on high by Lord Krishna, is currently at Sisla Sismur in the village of Kaithal district. Barbarika is still worshipped there in the name of Babrubhan Nagarkhedh. The location around this place is still very high.
The Victory Column which was founded by the Pandavas is located Draupadi Koop, Bhramasarovar, Kurukshetra. Barbarika of that age is Shyam in Kalyug. About them it is famous even today that according to the word given to the mother he would side with the person who lost in this world. His court is place to give support to people who've lost something in this world.