In today’s article, we are going to give you information about Khatu shyam ji. Khatu shyam Temple is a Hindu temple located in the village of Sikar district of Rajasthan in India, which is very famous among pilgrims. Lord Khatu shyam ji is a famous Hindu deity worshiped in western India, Khatu shyam ji is also known as Barbarik. According to Hindu mythology, Khatu shyam ji is believed to be an incarnation of the son of Ghatotkacha. It is also believed that the worshipers who chant his name from their heart are blessed with good fortune and if they do it sincerely then their troubles go away.
Khatu shyam ji is considered to be the deity of Kali Yuga and it is also said that Khatu shyamji has obtained a boon from Lord Krishna that he will be worshiped by Krishna’s own name Shyam and worshiped in the same way. In Rajasthan, he is revered as Khatu shyamji and in Gujarat he is known as Baliya dev.
A story from the life of Khatu shyam ji
Barbarik i.e. Khatu shyam ji was a very courageous warrior since childhood. He learned the art of war from his mother. Pleased with his skill, Lord Shiva gave him three infallible arrows. Later, the god of fire i.e. Agni Dev presented him the bow that would make him victorious in all the three worlds. After this when Barbarik came to know of the bitter fight between Pandavas and Kauravas, he decided to participate in the war. He promised his mother that he would join the side that would lose. Touching the feet of his mother Jagdamba, he set out with his three arrows and bow.
When Lord Krishna came to know about this, on the way Lord Krishna in the guise of a Brahmin stopped Barbarik to check his strength. Lord Krishna also tried to mock him by saying that he is going to the great war with only three arrows. Then Barbarika replied that only one arrow was enough to destroy all his opponents. Hearing this, Lord Krishna challenged him to tie all the leaves of the Peepal tree under which he was standing. Barbarik accepted the challenge and started meditating with closed eyes to release his arrow. Then Krishna, without Barbarika’s knowledge, plucked one of the leaves of the tree and placed it under his feet.
When Barbarik released his arrow, that arrow hit all the leaves of the tree and finally the arrow started revolving around Krishna’s leg. Then Krishna asked Barbarika why the arrow was moving near his leg. On this Barbarik explained to Krishna that there would be a leaf under his feet and the arrow was aiming at that leaf. Seeing all this Lord Krishna understood that he is a brave warrior and he can change the direction of any war. After this Lord Krishna asked Barbarik whose side he would take in the war. To this Barbarik replied that he would fight for whichever side was weaker. Then Lord Krishna knew that the Kauravas were going to be defeated. That’s why then that Brahmin i.e. Lord Krishna asked Barbarik for his head in charity.
Barbarik was shocked to hear this and Barbarik requested the Brahmin to reveal his real identity. Then Lord Krishna made Barbarik see his divine form. Lord Shri Krishna explained to Barbarik that the bravest Kshatriya’s head would have to be sacrificed before the war. And he considered Barbarik to be the bravest of the Kshatriya warriors, and therefore Lord Krishna asked for his head in charity.
Obeying the Lord’s order, Barbarik donated his head to Krishna. But Barbarik also got a boon from Krishna that in the Kali Yuga era he would be known as Shyam, one of the many names of Krishna. Krishna not only granted him the boon, but also declared that Barbarika’s devotees would be blessed and all their wishes would be granted.
Donating his head, Barbarik told Lord Krishna his last wish that he wanted to see the war. That’s why Lord Shri Krishna placed the head on top of a hill in front of the battlefield. But when the battle was over, the victorious Pandava brothers began to dispute among themselves as to who had fought most valiantly. At this, Lord Krishna suggested that Barbarika’s head had witnessed the entire battle, and should be allowed to administer justice. Barbarik, seeing the battle, said that it was Lord Krishna who became the reason for the Pandavas’ victory as his advice, presence and game plan were crucial.
It is believed that some years after the battle of Kurukshetra the head was retrieved from the holy pond which is situated near the Khatu Shyamji temple. Taking a dip in this pond makes a person free from all diseases and also maintains good health. Hence, during the fair held in the month of Phalgun, pilgrims from different places come to this tank and take a dip in the tank to wash away their sins.