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Who was Veer Barbarik - The Story of Khatushyam

It is quite possible that if you have heard about the Mahabharata, then you might have wondered who was the greatest warrior of that era? The answer is clear, it was Barbarik, but do you know who Veer Barbarik was and what was his story? Here is the story of the greatest warrior of the Mahabharat.

Barbarik or Khatushyam (as he is referred to) was the greatest warrior of the Mahabharata era. He was the grandson of Bheema or Bheemsena, the second eldest prince among the Pandava. He was a great warrior, but more precisely a magnificent archer. He came to the Kurukshetra (the ground where Mahabharata was fought) with only three arrows in his quiver and a bow, when someone asked him why had he only brought three arrows with him, he answered that with one arrow he could finish the Pandavas and with the second arrow he could finish the Kauravas, so three arrows were more than enough for him. On hearing this Lord Krishna took him to a peepal tree and asked him to shot all the leaves with only one arrow and while telling this Lord Krishna secretly hide a leaf under his feet. Barbarik shot an arrow with such precision that it hit all the leaves and finally came at the feet of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna immediately move his feet and the arrow hit the last leaf as well. By this Lord Krishna got supremely impressed and asked Barbarik which side will he fought for? Barbarik told that whichever side will be losing the battle he will fight for that side. On hearing this Lord Krishna knew that if this happens, then the war will never get over and hence told him that if he wants to participate in the battle of Mahabharata, then he would have to offer a person's head to Lord Krishna. When Barbarik asked him whose head does he want, Lord Krishna replied that he wants his head. On hearing this Barbarik smiled and asked Lord Krishna to take his head, but he expresses a strong desire to watch the war. Lord Krishna blessed him with a boon that he will be alive with his chopped head till the war continues and he also gave Barbarik a new name of Khatushyam, based on his name Shyam. Barbarik also told that he knew Lord Krishna will kill him if he would express his wish to fought the war from the losing side, but decided to do so because by doing so he will be killed by Lord Krishna and will ultimately attain moksha or salvation. After this Lord Krishna slashed his head by his Sudarshan Chakra. 
Due to his amazing fighting art and devotion towards Lord Krishna, Barbarik is worshipped till date as Khatushyam. 

Thank You!

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