Khatu Shyamji, popularly known as`Hare ka sahara,’ is one of the most worshipped gods in India. Officially, he was Barbarik. He had a big role in the Mahabharat. He was the grandson of Bhima and great grandson Ghatotkach. From childhood, he was a devotee of Lord Shiva. He gained divine arrows and exceptional powers by worshipping Lord Shiva; however, he achieved these powers not only through devotion but also through his sacrifices and hard work.
Krishna blessed Khatu Shyamji that millions of devotees would worship him in Kalyug. Devotees believe in his divine powers because he supports every helpless person; That is why people know him as “Hare Ka Sahara.” The holy temple of Shyam Baba is located in Khatu Dham of in Rajasthan, India. That temple was originally built after the Mahabharata sheesh of Baba Shyam was buried at a place. After centuries, a farmer’s cow used to release milk every day at a particular place. When the villagers dug the place out of curiosity, they found the sheesh(head) of Khatu Shyamji. Then it was proceeded as a temple was built as inspired by a divine dream of a king.
THE STORY OF Khatu shyamji
Lord Shiva blessed Khatu Shyamji with three arrows. The powers of the arrows were
1. The first arrow can defeat all enemies
2. The second arrow can protect the helpless.
3. The third arrow can destroy everything, even this whole world, in a second
Because of these three arrows, devotees call him `TEEN BAAN DHARI’
Even with just one arrow, Barbarika (Khatu Shyamji) had the power to end the war of the Mahabharata completely. He came to the battlefield with the vow that he would always support the side that was losing. Because of this promise, Krishna blessed him and granted him the honour of being worshipped in Kalyug as Khatu Shyamji. Devotees believe in his divine power because he supports every helpless person. That is why people lovingly call him “Hare Ka Sahara.” Even today, whenever a devotes feels helpless, they take refuge in Baba Shyam and trust in his protection.
HIS MEETING WITH KRISHNA
An important event in Barbarik’s life was his meeting with the lord Krishna before the war of the Mahabharata; Barbarik decided to take part in the battle․ When he heard about the war of the Mahabharata, he wanted to join the war․ But he had promised his mother to always protect the weaker one․. He took the bow and arrows for the war, and Lord Shiva had blessed them with the power to destroy any side within a second.
KRISHNA TESTS KHATU SHYAMJI
For testing, Barbareek Krishna took the form of a brahmin and stopped him in the way of war
Krishna asked (in the form of a brahmin) – Where are you going, young warrior? Barbareek replied that he is going to fight in the war of the Mahabharata. But Krishna didn’t believe his words that a simple young child can fight this huge battle, and asked him if he would be able to fight the war with those three arrows.
Krishan asked Khathu shyamji to mark all the leaves of the tree with his one arrow. Krishna also played a trick by hiding one leaf under his foot. To prove himself barbarik took an arrow and marked it on the tree. All the leaves got pierced, and after that, the arrow started rotating on Krishna’s foot, showing that it had marked that one leaf too. Then Krishna came to know about barbareek’s adhbudh leela
THE STUCK
Krishna asked him which side he would support. He replied that he will always support the weaker side. Krishna, however, knows that if Barbarik had joined the side of weaker people, then that side would have become powerful and the other side weaker․ This would go on, and the war would not have ended. And Krishna was well known with Barbarik’s power.
BARBAREEK’S SACRIFICE
Krishna asked Barbareek for a daan ( donation), and Barbareek agreed to it instantly. Krishna asked him for his sheesh(head). Without any hesitation barbarik accepted but asked Krishna to show his true form, saying that a normal brahmin cannot ask for a head donation.
At that moment, Krishna revealed his true form. Barbareek felt blessed as he was going to give daan to lord Krishna. Before giving his head barbareek had a last wish that he wanted to see the entire Mahabharat war. Krishna agreed to his words. They placed his head on a hill, from where he was able to watch the entire war.
CONCLUSION
The story of Baba Shyam is not only from the times of the Mahabharata, but also a timeless story of sacrifice and devotion. Barbareek had exceptional powers and skills. His willingness to offer his head to Krishna shows his true greatness. Shyam ji represent the power of sacrifice and strength that comes from true devotion.
By sacrificing his head to Krishna barbareek, a warrior became a deity.Shyam Baba blesses and supports every helpless person, and millions of people worship him in Kalyug.
You can also read about khathu shyamji temple
For more info, visit the site historyoflords