Barbareek: the Greatest, but Unknown Warrior of Mahabharata
If Krishna had come to this world to establish dharma and eradicate adharma, and if he could kill Kamsa, Shishupala, and many other demons, then why did Krishna not fight in the Mahabharata war? This question was asked frequently. But, the question itself is absurd, because it was Krishna alone who fought the entire Mahabharata war. All other warriors in the battle field were mere instruments in the hands of God. Each move of the war was calculated by Krishna; each action was triggered from his cunning mind; and, the entire Kaurava warriors were slain by his Sudarshana wheel. Then how could we say that Krishna had not fought the war? And there was a silent witness of the war; it was Barbareek, the greatest warrior of Mahabharata, but an unknown hero of the epic, who could not fight the war, but sacrificed just before the beginning of the war for the sake of dharma. His immortal head witnessed the entire war from a mountain top, and revealed the truth about Krishna’s role to the whole world.
Who was Barbareek?
Barbareek was the grandson of Bhima and the son of Ghatotkacha. His mother was Kamkatankata, from whom he learnt the art of warfare. This brave warrior got three infallible arrows from Lord Shiva that could make him victorious over all enemies and he was also known as ‘Teen Baan Dhaari’ or the ‘Bearer of Three Arrows’. Pleased by his worship, he obtained a unique bow from Agnidev. He was sacrificed before the beginning of the Mahabharata war, or else the ‘after-war story’ of Mahabharata would have been turned into an entirely different direction. Barbareek lives in legends told by devotees and there are different versions of myths prevalent in different parts of India. In Rajasthan he is worshipped like Krishna in the name of Khatu Shyam (Shyam is another name of Krishna).
His story was told in Skanda Purana in its Maheswar Khand, as narrated by Suta Ugrashrava to other sages involved in sacrificial rituals in the Naimisha forest. It was mentioned that Suta heard this story from Vyasa, the author of Mahabharata; but Vyasa had not included it in the epic of Mahabharata. This story is based on the narration of Suta in Skanda Purana.
The Background
Barbareek’s mother Kamkatankata was blessed with amazing warfare and incomparable intelligence. Her father was Daitya Mura, who was slained by Krishna. After Mura’s death, Kamkatankata attacked Krishna, breaking his shower of arrows with her invincible sword and shield. Krishna had no other choice, but to take his discus to kill her. But Goddess Kamakhya appeared and forbid Krishna from killing her devotee as she had already received a boon to become the daughter-in-law of Bhima in future. So instead of killing, Krishna blessed her. She vowed to wed only that man who could confuse her with a riddle and defeat her in a fight. Later, with the advice and blessing of Krishna, Ghatotkacha married her after stunning her with a confusing riddle and defeating her in a duel. To this couple was born a child who grew up as soon as he was born. He was with dark complexion, had large eyes and curly hairs. Due to his curly hair, he was named Barbareek.
At Gupta Kshetra
As advised by Krishna, Barbareek went to a place called Gupta Kshetra, a secret abode of all goddesses; and worshipped four goddesses of the directions and the nine Durgas. The goddesses got pleased with him and blessed him with outstanding prowess. As advised by the goddesses, he also served a great sage named Vijaya Saha of Magadha and protected him from several terrifying demons that troubled him from doing a special kind of ritual at Gupta Kshetra. Pleased by his bravery and sincerity, the sage blessed him with amazing powers and offered him some crimson ashes from the sacred fire he had lit, by which he could destroy all enemies and remain unbeatable.
Before the War
Before the beginning of Mahabharata war, the Pandavas in the presence of Krishna assembled in the Kurukshetra and discussed their possibilities of victory in the war. Arjuna boasted that he himself would be able to kill the entire Kaurava army in one day. On hearing this, Barbareek laughed and said: “O Kings, I am not satisfied with the time mentioned by respectful Arjuna. When I am present here no other warrior needs to fight in the war. I promise you I can send all the Kauravas to Yama’s abode in a moment. Just see my divine weapons, this great bow, three infallible arrows, two inexhaustible quivers and this sword gifted by goddess; and above all my devotion to Pandavas.”
When all the warriors were surprised to hear these words, Krishna supported Barbareek and said: “Whatever told by the grandson of Bhima is true. He has the might to do it. He had killed millions of demons in Paataal Lok in a moment.”
Krishna then asked Barbareek: “Tell us, O Barbareek, how you are going to kill the Kauravas. Remember, they are protected by the great warriors Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, Duryodhana and many others, who are difficult to beat even by gods. Then how can you kill them all in a moment?”
“I need only two arrows to finish them all. If you want to see what I am going to do, I shall show you.” Saying these words, Barbareek put an arrow on his bow, filled with crimson coloured ashes, and released it. From the arrow tip crimson ash fell on the ‘Marma Sthal’ (fatal spots) of all the warriors, except Aswathama, Kripa and the five Pandavas. He said, “My first arrow has marked the fatal spot of everyone who deserves death and my next arrow will kill them all. So, none of you need to fight at all.”
Everyone present there became amazed and gave him a round of applause. Just then, a strange thing happened. Krishna became angry and, to the horror of everyone, he immediately beheaded Barbareek with his discus. There was pin drop silence and all of them were shocked. Everyone wept with immense grief and tears rolled from their eyes. Ghatotkacha fell unconscious.
Then appeared there fourteen goddesses and consoled Ghatotkacha and others and explained the reason why Krishna slained Barbareek. It was the story of Barbareek’s previous life.
Barbareek’s Previous Life
Chandika Goddess said:
In the past, the earth approached gods on Mount Meru and complained about its unbearable burden. Then as per the request of Brahma, Vishnu agreed to go to earth along with the gods to reduce its burden. At that time, Suryavarchaa, the Yaksha Chief said: “O Gods, when I am here, why should any of you go to earth. All of you stay here. I will descend on earth myself and relieve it from burden.”
Hearing this, Brahma became angry and said: “You fool; this task is difficult even for the gods, but you are boasting before your superiors that you can do it alone. So I am cursing you. Before the commencement of Mahabharata war, Krishna will behead you.”
Hearing this curse, Yaksha Raja requested Vishnu that from the time of birth his mind is set on ascetic activities aimed to achieve salvation. Vishnu granted his wish and assured that the worshippers of goddess will worship his head also.
That Yaksha Raja Suryavarcha is born as Barbareek and Krishna has fulfilled Brahma’s curse. Hence Krishna is not guilty for this act.
The Immortal Head of Barbareek
As requested by Krishna, Goddess Chandika poured the nectar of immortality on her Bhakta’s Rahu-like head and it became alive and immortal forever. The head then requested Krishna that he would like to witness the entire war and sought permission for that. Krishna blessed him: “You will be worshipped in the whole world till the Sun, Moon, Earth and all constellations exist. Illness of children will vanish on worshipping you. Now you will be on the peak of this mountain and see the entire war.”
Barbareek’s head remained atop the mountain witnessing the war which he could not fight.
After the War
After the end of Mahabharata war, Yudhishtira praised Krishna for his great efforts for enabling Pandavas victorious. But Bhima did not like his brother’s words. Bhima said: “Brother, Are you not aware of the power of Bhimasena standing before you, who has destroyed the Kauravas. Ignoring me, our brother Arjuna, Dhrishtadyumna, Satyaki, and other brave warriors, how can you praise Krishna, who was just a charioteer?”
“Bhima you have mistaken”, Arjuna interpreted, “You don’t know the power of Krishna. It was not you, nor I, nor anyone of us who killed the enemies. I always noticed a person who was always advancing in front of me and killing the enemies before I could make any attempt. I was wondering who he was.”
“Don’t be a fool Arjuna”, said Bhima, “You are just confused. There was no third person who killed the enemy. If you don’t believe, let us ask my grandson on the mountain peak, the only one who has seen the entire war.”
They went to the mountain top and asked the question to Barbareek’s head. Barbareek answered: “I saw only one person fighting and killing all Kaurava warriors. On his left he had five faces and ten arms with different weapons. On his right he had one face and four arms with Chakra (Discus), etc. The left head had matted locks and the right had a glowing crown. Ash on his left side and sandal paste on the right side. Moon on his left side and Kausthub gem on right side.”
On hearing Barbareek’s words, sky got lighted, divine instruments were played and flowers started showering. With great amazement Pandavas touched Krishna’s feet. The embarrassed Bhima begged pardon of Krishna for foolishly mistaking him.
Krishna blessed Barbareek: “The whole world will worship you. Never leave this sacred place Gupta Kshetra. Fulfill the prayers of all and free your devotees from sin.”
Another Version
There are different versions of Barbareek’s story. Another myth prevalent in Northern parts of India says like this about the sacrifice of Barbareek.
When the Kurukshetra war was inevitable, Barbareek, with the permission from his mother, proceeded to Kurukshetra. Before leaving, he promised his mother that he was going to watch the war and if required he would join the weaker side and fight the war. On his way, Krishna disguised as a Brahmin and tested him. Krishna asked him to prove the power of his three arrows by tying all the leaves of a peepal tree. Barbareek released one arrow which tied all leaves of the tree and started floating around the foot of Krishna, because Krishna had hidden one leaf of the tree under his foot. Barbareek told Krishna to remove his foot, and uncover the leaf; otherwise the arrow would pierce the foot. Krishna lifted his foot and the arrow pierced the leaf under it and went back to Barbareek’s quiver.
The infallible nature of the arrow worried Krishna, because he understood that he could not hide anybody from the arrow. Even if he wanted to save Pandavas, Barbareek’s arrow would find and kill them, in case such situation happened. Since Barbareek wanted to support the weaker side, anything can happen. Krishna, the Brahmin, asked Barbareek the Kshatriya for a bhiksha. Krishna said that before the battle they had to sacrifice the head of the bravest warrior to sanctify the battlefield, and there was no doubt that Barbareek was the bravest of all. Krishna showed his real form and Barbareek understood everything. As a true Kshatriya, he kept his word and offered his head without any hesitation, because God himself had asked for it. But when Pandavas asked Krishna about the sacrifice, Krishna told them about the curse in the previous life and such a sacrifice was necessary for Barbareek to gain Moksha. As per the last wish of Barbareek, his head was kept on the top of a mountain from where it witnessed the entire battle.
Conclusion
Barbareek, the bravest soul, was sacrificed to enable the victory of dharma. It was said that Barbareek had witnessed only two things in the entire war: Krishna’s divine Sudharshana wheel slaying all Kaurava warriors and Draupadi transformed into Goddess Mahakaali consuming blood of all the sinners. The war was a divine celebration. Everything was pre-planned and executed by the God, playing the leading role with his unconventional style.
War does not bring peace; it brings unrest and curses. Ours is a world of contradictions. It is a world of good and evil; dharma and adharma; happiness and misery. None of them have separate existence. One cannot exist without the other. Wherever there is smile, there must also be tears. There is no world where exists dharma alone, or adharma alone. When adharma is eradicated, dharma is also gone!! Yes,…… Contradiction is the law of life and the very basis of our existence!!
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