Barbarika Mahabharata: Grandson of Bhima
Who is Barbarika in Mahabharata?
Barbarika, also known as Barbarik, was the son of Ghatothkacha and the grandson of Bhima, two renowned figures from the Mahabharata epic. Despite being a formidable warrior with celestial weapons bestowed upon him by Lord Shiva, Barbarika was not destined to participate in the great battle of Kurukshetra.
Barbarika History
Barbarika, also known as Khatushyamji was the only invincible warrior in mahabharata who possessed exceptional skills in archery and warfare, inherited from his illustrious (rakshasa)lineage. Under the guidance of his mother Hidimba and grandmother, Barbarika honed his skills, becoming a proficient marksman and a formidable warrior. Yet, his aspirations transcended mere excellence he harbored a deep desire to be the greatest warrior the world had ever seen.
Barbarika was blessed with three divine arrows by Lord Shiva. These arrows were immensely powerful and could wreak havoc on the battlefield. Barbarika’s prowess with these arrows earned him a reputation as one of the greatest warriors of his time.
Barbarika Story
Barbarika’s journey took a fateful turn when he encountered Krishna, disguised as a Brahmin, who sought to examine his strength. Impressed by Barbarika’s prowess, Krishna engaged him in a series of tests, including a challenge to tie all the leaves of a peepal tree with his arrows.
Before the big Kurukshetra war, Krishna met Barbarika, a strong warrior. Krishna, pretending to be a holy man, wanted to test Barbarika’s archery. Krishna asked that how many days would it take to end the war alone Barbarika answered that he’s capable of ending the kurukshetra war in only one single minute. He asked Barbarika to tie all the leaves of a peepal tree using just three arrows. Barbarika did it perfectly, showing how skilled he was with his arrows but Krishna cleverly concealed one leaf under his foot without Barbarika’s knowledge during their encounter & Krishna cunningly revealed Barbarika’s arrow’s capability to mark unseen targets.
Barbarika told Krishna about his promise to help the weaker side in the war.
But this promise would cause a big problem: Barbarika’s power was so great that whichever side he helped would become weak, and he would keep switching sides until he was the only one left standing. Krishna knew this would be disastrous, so he came up with a plan.
Krishna asked Barbarika for his head as a gift, saying it was a tradition to sacrifice the head of the bravest warrior before a battle to make the battlefield holy. Barbarika agreed, realizing that Krishna was not an ordinary person.
After giving his head to Krishna, Barbarika’s head was placed on a hill to watch the war. When the war ended, the Pandavas were arguing about who had helped them win. Krishna said that Barbarika’s head knew the truth. It said that Krishna’s advice and actions were what truly led to the Pandavas’ victory.
In simple terms, the story of Barbarika shows how Krishna stopped a big disaster from happening in the war and how important Krishna’s guidance was in ensuring the Pandavas’ success.
Barbarika Temple
The Barbarika Temple, also known as the Khatushyamji Temple, is located in the village of Khatushyamji in the Sikar district of the Indian state of Rajasthan. This temple is dedicated to Barbarika, a revered figure from the Mahabharata. The temple is famous for its association with Barbarika, who is worshipped as Khatushyamji, a deity believed to be a reincarnation of Barbarika. Devotees from across the country visit the temple to seek blessings and fulfill their wishes. The architecture of the Khatushyamji Temple is magnificent, featuring intricate carvings and vibrant colors. The main shrine houses the idol of Khatushyamji, adorned with garlands and ornaments by devotees. The atmosphere inside the temple is serene and spiritually uplifting, making it a popular pilgrimage destination.
The temple complex also includes various other shrines, prayer halls, and facilities for devotees. Surrounding the temple, there are lush gardens and open spaces where devotees can spend time in contemplation and prayer.The Khatushyamji Temple holds special significance during certain festivals, such as the Phalguna Mela (fair) held in the month of Phalguna (February-March) and the Shyam Navami festival, celebrating the birth anniversary of Khatushyamji.
Overall, the Barbarika Temple at Khatushyamji is a sacred place of worship, drawing devotees seeking spiritual solace and divine blessings from far and wide.
Frequently Asked Questions about Barbarika:
Q1. How did Barbarika Died?
Barbarika died by sacrificing himself, offering his head to Lord Krishna as charity before the Kurukshetra war, as requested by Krishna to prevent him from participating and causing devastation with his unparalleled powers.
Q2. What Barbarika has seen?
Barbarika witnessed the entire Kurukshetra war from a vantage point atop a hill, following his sacrifice.
Q3. Why Barbarika worshipped in Gujarat?
Barbarika is worshipped in Gujarat because it is believed that his head, after being offered in charity to Lord Krishna, landed on a hill in the present-day Gujarat region. This hill is revered as the site where Barbarika’s head observed the Kurukshetra war and where his divine presence is still felt, leading to the establishment of temples and shrines in his honor in Gujarat.