The birth of Barbarik was very well planned by the Lord himself. This started when one day Indra approached Krishna while he was with Satyabhama. Indra narrates that demon Narakasura has stolen earrings of Mata Aditi and Chatra of Lord Kubera from swarglok. As if that was not enough he also kidnapped 16100 girls from earth and intends to rape and kill them. This makes Krishna and Satyabhama attack Pragjyotishpur and kills Narakasura and Mura, who is the great warrior of kingdom. While in this endeavor, Krishna releases 16100 girls and marries them as they fear that they will not be accepted back in the society.
While in this process, daughter of Mura, Maurvi wants to marry Krishna as well. Krishna promises her to find a appropriate person who will fulfil her wishes to defeat her in intelligence and power. Having said this and promised this Krishna asks Ghatotkach to meet with Maurvi and marry her. Once they are married, they give birth to a son called Barbarik. Barbarik is taught by her grandmother Hindamba, but when he expresses interest to learn more, she recommends reaching out to Krishna; who in turn guides him to take lessons from sage Vijaya Shree. Lord Shiva, pleased with him, gave him three infallible arrows (Teen Baan). In some stories, it is written that Lord Shiva gave him these three arrows, while in other stories, it is written that Ashtadeva (Eight Gods) gave him these three infallible arrows. Since he is the bearer of these three powerful arrows, he came to be known as “Teen Baandhaari”, the Bearer of three arrows. Also, Agni (God of Fire) gave him the bow that makes him invincible in the three worlds.
Barbarik is a excellent warrier and knowing that Mahabharata war is about to happen, expresses interest to fight the war along side Pandavas. Everyone is very happy knowing that he is the master of great skills and prowess and can help the under staffed Pandavas to a great extent. Its till then, Krishna appears and plays qualitative researcher and explores his rule that is taught to him by his teacher-" he shall fight for the weaker sect always". This might lead him to fight for Pandavas and against them as well and the war would never end.
This becomes a source of great turmoil in the the Pandava clan. The worries reflect and concentrates only on how should they win the war. Then this information reaches Duryodhana. He is the only person who is seemingly concerned of children getting into wars and that he shall not be able to fight his grandson. While his brain is spoilt by Shakuni, and having told that Barbarik can be killed only when he is without any weapons and/or asleep. He attempts to kill Barbarik when he is meditating, and is stopped by Karna to undergo this cowardly attack.
Both Pandavas and Kauravas are struggling to put this issue of Barbarik to rest. Krishna defines that there is only one solution to this problem and that its time for his guru dakshina. Krishna asks Barbarik to cut his head off and hands it to him. But before sacrificing his head, he asks Krishna to fulfil his desire of watching the entire battle since he is not able to participate in the battle.
Krishna agreed to this. Barbarik cuts his head off and gave it to Krishna. Lord Krishna placed his head on top of a hill from where he could witness the entire battle. He received a boon from Krishna that he would be known by Krishna’s own name (Shyam) in the Kaliyuga era (presently ongoing) and worshipped. As he sacrificed his head for the sake of the war. He is worshipped by the name of Khatu Shyam.
After the battle ended, Pandavas starts arguing that who is the greatest warrior among themselves. And who is responsible for their victory against Kauravas. Krishna suggested Pandavas to ask Barbarik’s head that who is responsible for their victory. Barbarik is the best person to judge since he has witnessed the complete war. When Pandavas asked him about the same, he said that it was Krishna alone who is responsible for their victory: his advice, his presence, his game-plan had been very crucial. Barbarik replies: "All I could see were two things. One, a divine chakra spinning all around the battlefield, killing all those who were not on the side of Dharma. The other was Goddess Mahakali, who spread out her tongue on the battlefield and consumed all the sinners as her sacrifice." Pandavas then realised that they are just mere instruments to carry out the task of cleaning up the world from Adharma. It was Lord Vishnu and Goddess Mahamaya who are actually responsible for their victory.
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