Who is Baba Khatu Shyam
Khatu Shyamji, also known as Shyam Baba, is revered as an incarnation of Lord Krishna and is worshipped in his divine form. In Hindu tradition, Khatu Shyam is believed to be the manifestation of Barbarika, the son of Ghatotkacha. The story of Khatu Shyamji is deeply rooted in the epic Mahabharata.
Barbarika, also known as Khatu Shyamji, was the grandson of the mighty warrior Bhima, the second of the Pandava brothers. He was the son of Ghatotkacha, a powerful demon, and Jagadamba. From a young age, Barbarika exhibited extraordinary courage and martial skills. He learned the art of warfare from his mother, Jagadamba. Impressed by his abilities, Lord Shiva blessed him with three infallible arrows, each capable of achieving any aim. Later, Agni, the god of fire, gifted him a powerful bow that was said to bring victory in the three worlds.
As the great Kurukshetra War loomed between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, Barbarika was eager to participate. He promised his mother that he would support whichever side appeared to be losing, with the aim of tipping the balance in their favor. After seeking his mother’s blessing, Barbarika mounted his blue horse, armed with his three divine arrows and his magical bow, ready to fulfill his vow in the battle.
When Barbarika released his first arrow, it marked every leaf on the tree and eventually began to circle around Lord Krishna’s foot. Perplexed, Krishna asked Barbarika why the arrow was revolving around his leg. Barbarika explained that the arrow was targeting a leaf beneath Krishna’s foot and advised him to move away if he did not want to be harmed. Krishna complied, lifting his foot, only to discover that the first arrow had also marked a leaf that he had secretly hidden under his foot.
When Barbarika released the third arrow, it collected all the leaves, including the one hidden by Krishna, and tied them all together. Krishna, realizing the incredible power and precision of the arrows, understood that they were infallible and divine. He then asked Barbarika whom he would support in the war. Barbarika revealed that he had pledged to fight for whichever side was losing, as he wanted to ensure victory for the weaker side.
Krishna, recognizing that the defeat of the Kauravas was now inevitable, sought a charity from the young warrior. Barbarika, eager to fulfill any request, promised Krishna that he would grant him whatever he wished.