Barbarika

3.Barbarika

We have already read Barbarika was the son of Ghatolkhacha and AhiIavati. That
makes him the grandson of Bhima. Barbarika was originally a yaksha, and was
reborn as a man. He wanted to fight on the Pandava side, but he was forced
to stick to his principle of always fighting on behalf of the losing side.

He learnt the art of warfare from his mother. Shiva, pleased with him, gave
him the three infallible arrows. Hence, Barbarika came to be known by the
appellation Teen Baandhaari, the 'Bearer of Three Arrows.' Later, Agni (the God
of Fire) gave him the Bow that would make him victorious in the three worlds.

The omnipresent Krishna, disguised as a Brahmin, stopped Barbarika to examine
his strength. He baited Barbarika by mocking him for going to the great battle
with only three arrows. On this, Barbarika replied that a single arrow was
enough to destroy all his opponents in the war, and it would then return to
his quiver. If all the three were used, it would create havoc in the three
worlds. Krishna challenged him to tie all the leaves of the peepal tree under
which he was standing at that time , with one arrow. Barbarika accepted the
challenge, removed one arrow from his quiver and released it from his bow. The
arrow tied all the leaves together within moments. However, Krishna had held
one leaf under his foot, and the arrow started revolving around it. Krishna then
asked the boy whom he would favour in the war. Barbarika revealed that he
intended to fight for whichever side appeared set to lose. Krishna knew that the
defeat of the Kauravas was inevitable. He judged that if this brave boy
joins their side, the result would then tilt in the favour of kauravas.

The Brahmin (Krishna) then sought charity from the warrior. 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 Lord's command, Barbarika gave his head to Krishna in
charity. This happened on the 12th day of the Shukla Paksha (bright half) of
the month of Phalguna.

Krishna, pleased with Barbarika's great sacrifice, granted him the boon that
when Kaliyuga descends, he would be worshipped by the name of Shyam in his form.
His devotees would be blessed just by pronouncing his name from the bottom of
their hearts.

Before decapitating himself, Barbarika told Krishna of his great desire to view
the forthcoming battle, and requested him to facilitate it. Krishna agreed, and
placed the head atop a hill overlooking the battlefield. From the hill, the head
of Barbarika watched the whole battle.

At the end of the battle, the victorious Pandava brothers argued amongst
themselves as to who was responsible for the victory. Krishna suggested that
Barbarika's head, which had watched the whole battle, should be allowed to
judge. Barbarika's head suggested that it was Krishna alone who was responsible
for the victory: his advice, his presence, his game plan had been crucial.

Barbarika's head said that he had seen the Sudarshana Chakra revolving around
the battlefield, hacking the Kaurava army to pieces; and Draupadi, assuming the
fearful form of Mahakali Durga, drinking bowl after bowl of blood without
allowing even one drop of blood to fall on the earth.

knr

--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.

 Every moment, thank God