The unsung Heroes of Mahabharata - Hadimba Ghatotkach and Barbarika

India is a land where Mythology meets fantasy and folklore and interweaves to form the most fascinating tales that blend  myth, belief and magic into curious tales that generate a sense of awe. One such place is Kullu-Manali. Woven into the beautiful surroundings are the tales of the Mahabharata  where the characters that played an important role are said to have walked the land. Hadimba, a Rakshasa Princess, who finds only mention in passing was the First Queen of clan, married to Bhima . Although Pandavas and Draupadi are central characters of the plot and the epic is based on their story. Draupadi the Chief wife of the Pandavas is known universally, however the Pandavas each had many other wifes, who were daughters of powerful kings who would make strong allies.  The Strongest Pandava Bhima had a Rakshasa Princess Hadimba, who had a cruel brother who ruled over the Kulllu region and was a terror to his people.

Hadimba Temple

The Pandavas having escaped the House of Wax were passing through this region When Bhima fell in love with this Rakshasa Princess and on request from the people of this region did away with Hidambaswar. He married Hadimba with approval from his mother Kunti, Kunti was a far sighted stateswoman, by approving of the marriage Kunti in fugitive status attained safety and comfort from the Rakshasa clan. In addition to this the fruit of this Union was Ghatotkacha, within a year of his birth, the Pandavas left there in pursuit of their Kingdom. Hadimba, single handed brings up Ghatotkacha. very much in modern style Single Parenthood. It is much later during the war at Kurukshetra that Bhima’s powerful Rakshasa son is sought for battle with the Kauravas he proved to be very useful in the Mahabharata war, Ghatotkacha gave up his life to save Arjuna from Karna’s infallible weapon.

Entrance to temple

Ghatotkacha’s son was Barbarika,  Barbarika was a powerful and brave warrior, he was given three infallible arrows by the Gods and he came to be known as the “Bearer of Three Arrows” Barbarika Baliyadev. He expressed his desire to watch the Mahabharata war to his mother, his mother was apprehensive so Barbari evaluates the situation : The Kauravas have the invincible Bhishma, The Acharya Dronacharya, Suryaputra Karna who is an able archer and poses many an Infallible arrows, the Narayani – the Army of Narayana (Krishna) and seems to be the powerful side. On Pandava side is the Pancha pandavas, Krishna himself and the Army of Drupada and seems the weaker side. Therefore Barbari promises his mother that he will side with the losing side only in the war.Krishna disguised as a Brahmin, stopped Barbarika to examine his strength. When asked how many days he would take to finish the war alone, Barbarika answered that he could finish it in one minute, with just three arrows.

He demonstrates the power of his arrows to Krishna, they decide to use the leaves of a peepal tree under which they are having the conversation, Krishna quietly plucks a leaf and hides it under his foot, with his first arrow he marks all the leaves of the Peepal tree, with his second arrow he destroys all that is marked and with his third arrow he can destroy all that is not marked but is a part of the tree, the last arrow pierces Krishna’s foot. When Krishna is injured he tells Barbarika that the promise to his mother will be difficult for him to keep because the battle could not end without destroying everything as with each day the winning sides would change and Barbarika would be forced to side with the losing side and thus bring about total destruction. The Only way to avert this situation and keep his word is for him to give away his head. Krishna reveals his Vishwaroopam to Barbarika  and gives him a boon that he can watch the head can watch the battle of Mahabharata from atop a hill. Thus Barbarika sacrifices his head and the grandson of Rakshasa Princess Hidamba also sacrifices himself for the cause of the Pandava war for Dharma. Barbarika is worshipped as Khatu Shyamji. His other name is God Kamrunaag and is treated as the Biggest and main god in District Mandi, in Himachal Pradesh. A pond and a temple are situated in Kamru hill in Sundernagar, District Mandi.  He witnessed the entire battle of Kurukshetra from the hill which is now known as Khatu Shyamji, located in Khatu village in Sikar District, Rajasthan.