The Greatest Warrior- Barbarik

There are many untold stories from Mahabharata that you may or may not know.

So, Do you know who was Barbarik?

Barbarik was a great warrior of Mahabharata. He was the son of Ghatotkacha and Ahilavati (nagkanya mata) . Barbarik was taught by his mother that always fight on the side of the loser.

According to some stories, Barbarika was a Yaksha, who was reborn as a human. Barbarik was the grandson of the mace bearer Bhimsen and the son of Ghatotkacha. 

CHILDHOOD OF BARBARIK

He was a very brave and great warrior since childhood. He learned the art of warfare from his mother. He pleased Mother Adishakti by doing severe penance and got three impenetrable arrows and got the famous name of 'three arrows'. Ishapurtika Valmiki pleased and gave him a bow, which was able to make him victorious in all three worlds.

BARBARIK - MAHABHARATA

It is about the time when the war of Mahabharata was about to start. Lord Krishna was with the Pandavas in the battle, which made it seem certain that the Kaurava army might be more powerful but the victory would be of the Pandavas.

At such a time, Bhima's grandson and Ghatotkacha's son, Barbarik, promised his mother that the side which would be weak in the war would fight on their behalf. When Lord Krishna came to know about the plan of Barbarik, then he came in the way of Barbarik by disguising himself as a Brahmin.

Shri Krishna made fun of Barbarik that what war would he fight with three arrows. Hearing Krishna's words, Barbarik said that he has an invincible arrow. He can destroy the entire enemy army with a single arrow. After finishing the army, his arrow will return to its place.

On this, Shri Krishna said that if we are standing under the Peepal tree, pierce all its leaves with your arrow, then I will agree that you can change the outcome of the war with one arrow. Barbareek accepted the challenge, remembered the Lord and fired an arrow. Apart from the leaves on the tree, the fallen leaves also got holes.

After this, the arrow started moving around the feet of Lord Krishna as a leaf was kept by the Lord under his feet. Lord Shri Krishna knew that the victory in the battle would be of the Pandavas and as per the promise given to the mother, Barbareek would fight on the side of the Kauravas, which would lead to the victory of unrighteousness.

Therefore, Shri Krishna, dressed as a Brahmin, expressed his desire to donate to Barbarik. When Barbarik promised to donate, Shri Krishna asked for his head from Barbarik. Barbarik understood that the person asking for such a donation could not be a Brahmin. Barbarik asked the Brahmin to give his real introduction. On this Shri Krishna told him that he is Krishna.

Even after knowing the truth, Barbarik agreed to give his head but, put a condition that he wants to see his vast form and wishes to see the Mahabharata war from beginning to end. The Lord fulfilled Barbarika's wish, beheading Barbarika with the Sudarshan Chakra, sprinkled nectar on his head and placed it on a high mound of a hill. From here the head of Barbarik saw the whole battle.

After the end of the war, when there was a dispute among the Pandavas about whose contribution is more, then Shri Krishna said that it will be decided by Barbarik who has seen the entire war. Barbarik said that Shri Krishna has the biggest role in this war. I saw the Sudarshan Chakra moving across the battlefield. Shri Krishna was fighting and Shri Krishna was destroying the army.