Barbarik is the grandson of Bhim, one of the second generation of Pandavs in the epic Mahabharata. Ghatotkach and Maurvi are his parents. His name is Barbarik and he consistently lends assistance to the individual who has been defeated. Commonly referred to as the consolation for the defeated.
Ghatotkach was the offspring of Bhim and Hidimba, a princess from a tribal community. According to legend, Barbarik was a courageous warrior. He wielded a distinctive tri-arrow or a bow equipped with three arrows. The deployment of the three arrows has the potential to swiftly bring an end to any conflict within a minute. The initial arrow would indicate the individuals that require safeguarding. The second arrow would designate the individuals to be executed, while the third arrow would proceed to eliminate those who are targeted for execution.Due to being raised by his mother Maurvi, he consistently adhered to her guidance. Maurvi instilled in her son the value of always aligning himself with the defeated.
Upon the declaration of the Mahabharata war, Barbarik, being a valiant warrior, expressed his desire to partake in the battle. During his journey to Kurukshetra, he encountered Krishna. Krishna evaluated the capabilities of his triple arrow and was greatly impressed. He was now concerned that if Barbarik engaged in combat, he would bring the battle to an end and be the sole survivor. In addition, he computed that he would engage in combat on the side that is experiencing defeat and would alternate sides on a daily basis, ultimately resulting in the same outcome. Krishna recognized the imperative need to halt Barbarik’s involvement in the conflict. His intention was for the Pandavas to remain alive at the conclusion of the fight.
Krishna requested Barbarik’s decapitation as it was necessary to initiate the battle – the head of a valiant individual was required for a war ceremony. Barbarik consented, but, he expressed his final desire to Krishna, requesting to be present as a witness to the war. Subsequently, Krishna positioned his head above a hill while Barbarik observed the entirety of the Mahabharata War. Upon the war’s conclusion, he was queried about the victor of the conflict. He said the name Krishna. All the others were merely conforming to his desires. Krishna granted Barbarik a blessing that in the age of Kali, he would be recognized by his given name. This is the manner in which he acquired the appellation “Shyam”.
According to legend, Lord Krishna personally presented the head of Barbarik to the river Rupawati. The decapitated skull was subsequently discovered interred in the Khatu village within the Sikar district of Rajasthan. The discovery occurred when a cow began lactating on its head. The artifact was entrusted to a Brahmin who venerated it and engaged in deep contemplation to uncover its narrative.
Roop Singh Chauhan, the monarch of the region at that time, received a directive in a dream to construct a temple. Therefore, the inaugural temple of Khatu Shyam was established in 1027 CE. The temple was constructed on the 11th day of the waxing phase of the moon in the month of Phalgun according to the lunar calendar.
On the day of the Mahabharata War, Barbarik had willingly offered his head to Krishna. According to certain versions of the mythology, Queen Narmada Kanwar of Roop Singh Chauhan had a dream about Khatu Shyam. Additionally, a distinctive black stone idol was discovered. This is the deity that is venerated at the primary temple at present. He possesses the appearance of a formidable warrior. He has prominent mustaches and a beard on his face. He adorns himself with fish-shaped earrings. He is awake and attentive. Khatu Shyam is not only considered the Kshetra Devata or local deity of the area, but also the Kul-Devta or ancestral deity of numerous Rajput Chauhan families residing in and near Sikar.
Adjacent to the main temple, there is a secondary temple known as Simha Pol Hanuman, which is specifically dedicated to Hanuman. One distinctive observation I made in this location is the presence of suspended coconuts. Coconuts adorned with a Mouli or red cotton thread are suspended in various locations. These coconuts are known as wish-fulfilling or votive coconuts. At this location, you have the opportunity to express a desire and fasten a coconut. After the wish is granted, you return and remove the coconut’s knot. A sign displayed outside the temple indicates that there is currently no appointed leader of the temple. The Chauhan Rajputs’ offspring are responsible for the maintenance of this shrine.
The location where Barbarik’s head was discovered is presently referred to as Shyam Kund. The Kund is aesthetically pleasing. There are two separate Kunds or Ponds, one designated for males and the other designated for women. This complex features temples dedicated to Gayatri Devi, and coconuts are abundantly seen across the area. At this location, there is a depiction of Krishna with the severed head of Barbarik placed at his feet, symbolically narrating the narrative associated with this site.
