The warrior of Mahabharata, who could end the war with just 3 arrows; read why Krishna asked for his head:Barbarik had a boon that he would be worshipped as Khatu Shyam.

News Topical, Digital Desk : We've all heard tales of the valor of great warriors like Arjuna, Karna, and Bhishma in the Mahabharata War, but there was one warrior who possessed the power to end a war in the blink of an eye. He was Barbarika, the grandson of mace-wielding Bhima and son of Ghatotkacha.

Barbarika was a great warrior from childhood and possessed many superpowers. He had pleased Lord Shiva and obtained three impenetrable arrows. This meant that Barbarika did not need an army to end the entire war; just three arrows were enough.

Promise to be the 'support of the defeated'

When Barbarika set out for battle, he promised his mother that he would fight on the losing side. Obviously, with Lord Krishna himself on the side, the Pandavas were sure to win. In such a situation, despite the Kauravas' massive army, they were bound to be defeated.

Since Barbarika's rule was to "side with the loser," he would have been forced to fight on the side of the unrighteous (Kauravas) even if he didn't want to. Lord Krishna didn't want a great warrior like Barbarika to fight on the wrong side in a war to establish righteousness.

Therefore, Lord Krishna tested Barbarika and asked for his head as a donation. Demonstrating his devotion and righteousness, Barbarika, smiling, cut off his head without hesitation and offered it at the Lord's feet.

The story of Barbarika's great sacrifice

Seeing Barbarika 's great sacrifice, Lord Krishna was deeply pleased. He granted a boon that in Kaliyuga, Barbarika would be worshipped by another name of Lord Krishna himself, "Shyam." While bestowing his name, the Lord said that Barbarika would become the "savior of the defeated" for anyone who despaired of life. This is why today the world worships him with great devotion as Khatu Shyam. This story is described in detail in the Skanda Purana (Kaumarika Khanda).