Khatu Shyam Temple Rajasthan: The Mystery of Becoming ‘Baba Khatu Shyam’ from ‘Barbarik’

Baba Khatu Shyam Temple’s significance is connected to Lord Shri Krishna. The Mahabharata era is connected to Khatu Shyam Ji. The legend states that the name of Khatu Shyam ji was ‘Barbarik’. Barbarika’s relationship to the Pandavas stemmed from the fact that during their exile, Pandava Bhima wed the demon Hidimba, from whom they had a son named Ghatotkachha. Ghatotkacha, Bhima’s son, possessed the same strength and enigmatic nature as his mother. The legendary warrior “Barbarik” was the grandson of the powerful Bhima and the son of Ghatotkacha. Like his father, Ghatotkachha, and grandfather, Bhima, Barbarik possessed courage and strength.

Barbarik gained three impenetrable arrows and numerous siddhis through intense penance. After striking every target, these unbreakable arrows would return to the quiver. Barbarik was one of the world’s greatest archers. The Pandavas and Kauravas engaged in the bloody Mahabharata war. Together with the five Pandavas and their whole army, Lord Krishna fought the Kauravas in this conflict. Barbarik’s father, Ghatotkachha, also fought in this bloody conflict as the son of Bhima. In this war, he vanquished the Pandavas. The Kauravas dispatched Karna to assassinate Ghatotkachha after realizing that their army had lost.

A pitched battle broke out between Ghatotkachha and Karna. Karna appeared extremely frail during the battle between Ghatotkachha and Karna. Karna then fired Ghatotkachha with his final weapon, the “Divyastra.” He used the divine weapon he had saved for Arjun on Ghatotkacha, resulting in Ghatotkacha’s death. When Ghatotkachha’s son learned of his father’s passing, he told his mother that he wanted to go to war, and she gave her consent. This was Barbarik’s first act of bravery.

Barbarik’s mother requested a pledge from him that he would fight for the losing side because she thought the Pandavas’ side was growing weaker. After making a vow to his mother that he would fight for the losing side, Barbarik departed for the conflict. It was learned by Lord Krishna that Barbarik was arriving to take part in this battle. Lord Shri Krishna was concerned when he learned that Barbarik would fight for the losing side. Following this, Lord Krishna went to meet Barbarik by posing as a Brahmin.

While Barbarik was traveling, Lord Shri Krishna stopped him and inquired, “Where are you going?” Then Barbarik declared, “I am going to take part in the Mahabharata war.” Then, appearing to Barbarik as a Brahmin, Lord Shri Krishna announced, “The great battle of the Mahabharata is underway.” You’re still quite young. In the Mahabharata, how will you be able to fight? Next, Barbarika revealed to Lord Krishna his three arrows, saying, “I have three divine arrows that are very powerful and can easily enter their target and return back.”

Subsequently, Lord Krishna implored him to exhibit his might and, gesturing to a peepal tree, commanded, “Break all the leaves of this peepal tree together.” After accepting the words of Shri Krishna in the guise of a Brahmin, Barbarik grabbed one of his arrows and pointed it in the direction of the peepal tree. The arrow then began to pierce each leaf on the peepal tree, one by one. Subsequently, a leaf shattered and landed close to Lord Krishna’s feet, which the latter pressed beneath them.

The arrow passed through the leaves and stopped near the feet of Shri Krishna. Then Barbarika said, “O Brahmin, please remove your foot and let the arrow reach its final target.” The last leaf was also pierced by the arrow and Shri Krishna removed his foot. When Lord Krishna saw this, he became very worried and started considering the following scenarios: If this barbarian fights for the losing side, if the Kaurava side is losing, this barbaric will fight for the Kauravas; If Pandava side is losing then this barbarian will fight on behalf of Pandavas. In this way both Kauravas and Pandavas will be destroyed.

When Lord Shri Krishna asked Barbarik for a donation to help solve this issue, Barbarik responded, “O Brahmin, what do you want in a donation?” We’ll extend the same to you. Barbarik was asked to swear before Lord Krishna accepted the donation, saying, “You will give me whatever I ask for in donation.” Barbarik made Lord Shri Krishna a promise. Barbarik was asked for his head by Lord Krishna, who appeared as a Brahmin. After learning this, Barbarik addressed Lord Krishna as a Brahmin and exclaimed, “O Brahmin! You don’t appear to be a typical Brahmin. Please reveal your actual form to me. Following that, Lord Krishna manifested in his actual form.

Barbarik expressed his happiness at seeing Lord Krishna by saying, “O Lord!” and presenting his head to him as a gift. With a blessing, Lord Shri Krishna said, “I want to see the Mahabharata war with my own eyes.”