Khatu Shyam Baba: What was the role of Khatushyam ji in Mahabharata, know the story of Barbarik.

story of barbarik

Story of Khatu Shyam Baba Barbarik: Every year, Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month is Devuthani Ekadashi. This year Devuthani Ekadashi will be celebrated on 1st November. On this auspicious date, Khatu Shyam Baba’s birthday is also celebrated with great enthusiasm. There is a temple of Shri Khatu Shyam Baba in Sikar district of Rajasthan. Khatu Shyam Baba’s real name is Barbarik.

According to the story of Mahabharata, Barbarik’s head was buried in Khatu Nagar of Rajasthan, hence Barbarik became famous by the name of Khatu Shyam Baba. Khatu Shyam Baba is said to be the incarnation of Lord Shri Krishna in Kalyug. What was the role of Khatu Shyam Baba i.e. Barbarik in Mahabharata? Let us know his story in detail.

Barbarik was brave and brilliant since childhood

According to the story, Khatu Shyam Baba i.e. Barbarik is the son of Ghatotkach and snake girl Maurvi. His grandparents were Bhima and his wife Hidimba. It is said that when Barbarik was born, his hair was like that of a lion, that is why he was named Barbarik. Barbarik was brave and brilliant since childhood. Barbarik had learned the art of warfare from Lord Shri Krishna and his mother Mauravi.

Barbarik performed severe penance for Lord Shiva. As a result, he received three miraculous arrows from Lord Shiva. Not only this, he had received a divine bow from Lord Agnidev, with which he could conquer all three worlds. When Barbarik got information about the Mahabharata war, he decided that he would also be a part of this war. Then Barbarik took the blessings of his mother.

Brahmin was none other than Shri Krishna

He also promised his mother that he would fight the war on behalf of the losing side. Because of this promise, the story Baba Shyam Hamara, the support of the defeated, became famous. When Barbarik was going, he met a Brahmin on the way. This Brahmin was none other than Lord Shri Krishna, who had come to test Barbarik. Shri Krishna, who became a Brahmin, asked Barbarik that he was going to fight a war and he had only three arrows.

On this Barbarik said that he can destroy the enemy army with a single arrow. After this his arrow will not be destroyed and will return to him. After this, Shri Krishna, in the guise of a Brahmin, showed a Peepal tree to Barbarik and asked him to pierce all the leaves of that tree with a single arrow. Barbarik meditated on God and released an arrow. That arrow pierced all the leaves of the peepal tree.

Shri Krishna was pleased with the bravery of Barbarik.

After this the arrow started hovering around the feet of the Lord. Actually, Shri Krishna had hidden a leaf under his feet. Barbarik understood this and asked the Brahmin to remove his foot. On this, Shri Krishna was pleased with the bravery of Barbarik and asked on whose behalf he was going to fight the war. Barbarik said that he has not decided this yet.

Barbarik said that as per his promise, he would fight the war on behalf of the losing side. Shri Krishna knew that the defeat of the Kauravas in this war was certain. In such a situation, after listening to Barbarik, he became engrossed in thought. Then he asked Barbarik for a promise to give a donation. Barbarik gave his promise. On this, Shri Krishna, in the guise of a Brahmin, asked Barbarika to give him his head as a donation. Barbarik was surprised to hear this.

Expressed desire to God to see war

After this Barbarik understood that he was not an ordinary Brahmin. Barbarik told the Brahmin that he would definitely donate his head to him, but first the Brahmin deity would have to reveal his real identity. Hearing this, Lord Krishna appeared in his true form. Barbarik cut off his head and gave it to Shri Krishna, but he told God that he wished to see the war.

Shri Krishna was pleased with Barbarik’s donation and commitment and blessed him to fulfill his wish. Shri Krishna watered Barbarik’s head with nectar through 14 goddesses and placed it on a hill near the battlefield, from where he could watch the war. Later, Shri Krishna cremated Barbarik’s torso according to the scriptures.

Barbarik told the truth of victory in the war

Pandavas won the Mahabharata war. After this, when there was a debate regarding the credit for the victory in the war, Shri Krishna said that Barbarik had seen the war, so we should go and ask him. Then Paramveer Barbarik said that the credit for the victory of this war goes only to Shri Krishna. Everything behind the victory was the illusion of Shri Krishna. Hearing the truthful words of Barbarik, the gods showered those flowers.

Shri Krishna was very pleased with the greatness of Barbarik. Shri Krishna blessed Barbarik that he would be famous by his name Shyam. In Kaliyuga, he will be worshiped in the form of Krishna incarnation and he will fulfill the wishes of the devotees.

Also read: Pradosh Vrat 2025: Recite this stotra on the day of Pradosh Vrat, you will get relief from Pitra Dosh!