Barbarik was the most powerful warrior in Mahabharata who can end the war in 1 minute. That’s why Krishna demands his head in alms so that he is not able to participate in the war. Let’s see how he becomes so strong and why Krishna doesn’t want him to compete in the Mahabharata war in Kurukshetra.
Who was Barbarik?
Photo Courtesy BR Chopra's Mahabharat via dailymotion.com
Barbarik is the son of Ghatotkach and Mauravi and the
grandson of Bhīma. He was a supreme warrior from his childhood. He was a great
believer in Lord Shiva. Mauravi apart from being his mother was his tutor also.
She trained Barbarik, the skill of warfare. Lord Shiva delighted with
Barbarik’s skill as a warrior bestowed him three special arrows. He also earned
a special bow from Lord Agni (God of Fire).
He could have ended
the Mahabharata war in a Minute?
It is stated that Barbarik was so strong that according to him the battle of Mahabharata could finish in 1 minute if he independently was to fight it. Before the war began, Lord Krishna questioned everyone how long would it take for them to end the war alone. Everyone responded at an average of 15-20 days.
Krishna questioned Barbarik the same question, Barbarik answered it would take him only 1 minute to end the war if he was to fight it independently. Krishna was stunned at this response of Barbarik since Barbarik was stepping towards the battlefield with only 3 arrows and a bow. To this Barbarik explained the power of the 3 arrows.
The first arrow was assumed to observe all the objects that
Barbarik wished to be destroyed. The second arrow was considered to mark all
the objects that Barbarik desired to be protected and the third arrow drives
and destroys the ones who require to be killed. In other words, Barbarik was
capable of destroying everyone with the shot of his 3 arrows.
Krishna’s Trick?
Krishna keen to test this out requested Barbarik to connect all the leaves of the tree that he was standing under. When Barbarik started contemplating to execute the mission, Krishna took one leaf from the tree and put it under his foot without Barbarik's knowledge. When Barbarik shoots the first arrow, the arrow marks all the leaves from the tree and finally starts rotating around Lord Krishna's feet. Krishna questions Barbarik as to why the arrow is doing this. To this Barbarik answers that there must be a leaf under your feet and requests Krishna to lift his leg. As soon as Krishna lifts his leg, the arrow goes forward and marks the remaining leaf too.
This incident shocks Lord Krishna about the exceptional
skill of Barbarik. He concludes that the arrows are truly flawless. After that
Krishna questions Barbarik around which side he was intending to fight for in
the war of Mahabharata.
Complex
Conditions of Barbarik’s Boon-
No one could defeat Barbarik, as he had three arrows from Kamakhya Devi. Barbarik's boon had two Complex conditions. He could not utilize the arrows for any personal revenge and secondly, he would always utilize the arrows to fight a war from the weaker side on a battlefield. Barbarik defines that since the Kaurava Army is larger than the Pandavas Army and because of the condition of his boons he would fight for the Pandavas.
Krishna illustrates the paradox of the condition that since he was the most outstanding warrior on the battlefield, whichever side he allied with would make the other side weaker. So ultimately he would finish up swinging between the two sides and kill everyone except himself.
Why
did Krishna ask for the head of Barbarik?
Lord Krishna tells the actual outcome of
the complex conditions of Barbarik's Boon. Therefore Krishna asks for
Barbarik's head in a donation to avoid his participation in the war. Before
actually presenting his head, Barbarik expresses his wish to witness the great
Kurukshetra war.
Eyewitness of the War ?
Shri Krishna approved to establish Barbarik's head on top of the mountain to witness the battlefield. At the end of the battle, the Pandavas debated amongst themselves about their contribution to their victory. To this Krishna indicates that Barbarik's head should be authorized to judge this since he has observed the whole war. Barbarik suggests it was Krishna alone who was responsible for the triumph of Pandavas in the war. Krishna's guidance, strategy, and his existence was paramount in the victory of Pandavas.
Why Barbarik is worshipped as Khatu Shyam Ji?
In Rajasthan, Barbarik is worshipped as Khatu Shyam Ji. He got the name of Shri Krishna (Shyam) because of his generous sacrifice and fearless belief in God. Shri Krishna had stated that by just remembering Barbarik’s name with pure heart, the devotees would be blessed with their wishes.
Hello friends I am DrRashmi Vajpayee,PhD Awardee,Assistant professor and founder of Rashmi Vajpayee's Confessions on Culture.Here I share everything about Indian Culture and Festivals.I hope you guys enjoy my content so keep reading!.
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