Barbarika was not only a powerful warrior who could defeat armies but also he had his three powerful arrows. The arrows of Barbarika is nothing short of a homing missile's which chases the targets even it is hidden from the sight of Barabrika. The arrows were so intelligent that it marks all the targets that Barabrika thinks off.
The strength of Barbarika and his arrows are so much that he would have finished the war in a minute but for an careless word given to his mother (Gatotkacha's Wife) that he ended up in a situation where he cannot fight for any of the sides and ended up being just a spectator after being beheaded and sacrificed before the war in favor of Pandava's .
Barbarika would have helped the losing side, as he promised so. Once Kauravas would have been defeated, the tired Pandavas would have to fight Barbarika, this was not easy not merely because of the Pandavas being tired, but because of Barbarika's weapons being able to destroyanything(including the whole world) at will.
Having learnt the art of warfare from his mother, Maurvi, he proved to be a brave warrior even in his childhood. In addition to being a warrior, he was also a Shiva bhakt, and performed severe penance.
On the completion of Barbarik's penance, or tapasya, Shiva gifted him three powerful arrows: When used, the first arrow would mark an enemy with red ink. The second arrow would mark things not meant to be destroyed. The third arrow would destroy the enemy.
However, there were some conditions: Barbarik had to promise that he would not use the arrows for personal vengeance. That he would always use it to fight for the weaker side in a battle/war.
Before the Mahabharata war began, Lord Krishna apparently asked all the warriors how many days it would take them to finish the war if they were to fight alone. Bhisma replied that it would take him 20 days. Dronacharya said it would take him 25 days. Karna said it would take him 24 days and Arjuna said it would take him 28 days. But Barbarik astonished Krishna by saying that it would take him just a minute to win the battle.
Krishna wanted to test the powers of Barbarik. So he went to meet the young boy and asked him to demonstrate his powers. Krishna suggested that Barbarik display his powers upon a tree, by treating each leaf upon the tree as an enemy and piercing a hole through them.
Barbarik agreed. He decided to meditate and pray first. As soon as he closed his eyes, Krishna - the eternal prankster - quickly plucked a leaf off the tree and hid it under his own feet.
Soon enough, Barbarik opened his eyes and aimed his arrow at the tree. His arrow made a red mark on the leaves. The second arrow pierced through all those red holes.
Guess what happened next? Barbarik's arrow also pierced clever Krishna's feet, because a leaf lay hidden under it! However, Krishna was more impressed than hurt to see the prowess of Barbarik, because it was so perfect!
Guess what happened next? Barbarik's arrow also pierced clever Krishna's feet, because a leaf lay hidden under it! However, Krishna was more impressed than hurt to see the prowess of Barbarik, because it was so perfect!
But Krishna who love to debate, argued that in that case, the Kauravas would immediately become the weaker side, because Barbarik would be on the other side. What could Barbarik do, in that case?
Krishna then explained the paradox of Barbarik's situation. He said Barbarik would need to constantly switch sides as each side would keep turning stronger and weaker when he joined them!
It became evident to Barbarik and Krishna that he would have to die because he could not simply sit out the war, nor avoid taking any sides. The brave kshatriya (warrior) that he was, he decided to give up his life, even as he expressed a wish to Krishna that he wished he could have witnessed the Kurukshetra war.
Krishna then assured Barbarik that his severed head could watch the proceedings from atop a hill. Bheema, the mightiest Pandav, then carried his grandson's head to the top of the hill and placed it there with affection and reverence.
Thus, Barbarik got a chance to become a neutral witness to the entire proceedings. Indeed, after the war, he was asked whether it was the Pandavas or the Kauravas who won the long war. His reply was immediate and full of clarity.
Barbarik concluded that the Pandavas had won the battle, and it was Krishna who was responsible for it. Because it was Krishna's advice, presence of mind and game-plan that had made the difference.
Having learnt the art of warfare from his mother, Maurvi, he proved to be a brave warrior even in his childhood. In addition to being a warrior, he was also a Shiva bhakt, and performed severe penance.
On the completion of Barbarik's penance, or tapasya, Shiva gifted him three powerful arrows: When used, the first arrow would mark an enemy with red ink. The second arrow would mark things not meant to be destroyed. The third arrow would destroy the enemy.
However, there were some conditions: Barbarik had to promise that he would not use the arrows for personal vengeance. That he would always use it to fight for the weaker side in a battle/war.
Before the Mahabharata war began, Lord Krishna apparently asked all the warriors how many days it would take them to finish the war if they were to fight alone. Bhisma replied that it would take him 20 days. Dronacharya said it would take him 25 days. Karna said it would take him 24 days and Arjuna said it would take him 28 days. But Barbarik astonished Krishna by saying that it would take him just a minute to win the battle.
Krishna wanted to test the powers of Barbarik. So he went to meet the young boy and asked him to demonstrate his powers. Krishna suggested that Barbarik display his powers upon a tree, by treating each leaf upon the tree as an enemy and piercing a hole through them.
Barbarik agreed. He decided to meditate and pray first. As soon as he closed his eyes, Krishna - the eternal prankster - quickly plucked a leaf off the tree and hid it under his own feet.
Soon enough, Barbarik opened his eyes and aimed his arrow at the tree. His arrow made a red mark on the leaves. The second arrow pierced through all those red holes.
Guess what happened next? Barbarik's arrow also pierced clever Krishna's feet, because a leaf lay hidden under it! However, Krishna was more impressed than hurt to see the prowess of Barbarik, because it was so perfect!
Guess what happened next? Barbarik's arrow also pierced clever Krishna's feet, because a leaf lay hidden under it! However, Krishna was more impressed than hurt to see the prowess of Barbarik, because it was so perfect!
But Krishna who love to debate, argued that in that case, the Kauravas would immediately become the weaker side, because Barbarik would be on the other side. What could Barbarik do, in that case?
Krishna then explained the paradox of Barbarik's situation. He said Barbarik would need to constantly switch sides as each side would keep turning stronger and weaker when he joined them!
It became evident to Barbarik and Krishna that he would have to die because he could not simply sit out the war, nor avoid taking any sides. The brave kshatriya (warrior) that he was, he decided to give up his life, even as he expressed a wish to Krishna that he wished he could have witnessed the Kurukshetra war.
Krishna then assured Barbarik that his severed head could watch the proceedings from atop a hill. Bheema, the mightiest Pandav, then carried his grandson's head to the top of the hill and placed it there with affection and reverence.
Thus, Barbarik got a chance to become a neutral witness to the entire proceedings. Indeed, after the war, he was asked whether it was the Pandavas or the Kauravas who won the long war. His reply was immediate and full of clarity.
Barbarik concluded that the Pandavas had won the battle, and it was Krishna who was responsible for it. Because it was Krishna's advice, presence of mind and game-plan that had made the difference.
Lord Krishna came to the Earth for establishing Dharma. Would it have been established if Pandavas were defeated? Would we have got the right message from Mahabharata that those who follow the righteous path win? No.
So, the only way to end this dilemma was to ask for Barbarika's head which he readily gave, given his loyality. For his loyality, he was given the name of "Khatu Shyam" by Lord Krishna and he could still see the battle of Mahabharata even with just his head(according to the boon given to him).
Post a Comment