Dharmic Memes: Week 12: Wednesday Reading

The Battle of Kurukshetra was the largest conflict in Bharata (Indian subcontinent). The Kauravas and Pandavas had fierce warriors willing to die for their side. Barbarika, the grandson of Bhima and son of Ghatotkacha ( a rakshasa born to Bhima and Hidimbi ), wanted to fight for the Pandava side. However, he has vowed to his mother to always right for the winning side. Amidst the confusion, Lord Krishna approaches Barbarika as a Brahman. Krishna, being arrogant questions Barbarika's might. Barbarika shows Krishna his might arrows in response. He had three of them . One to destroy all his enemies, the other to kill anyone who's left and the last one to defend his from incoming attacks. The divine nature of the arrows, made Barbarika almost invisible and Krisma was worried.

Here Lord Krishna devises a cunning plan. He requests Barbarika to surrender and not fight. Reasoning that any side he fights for would result as the stronger side. Barbarika agrees to Lord Krishna's request and asks him to let him watch the Kurukshetra Yuddha. Krisha places Barbarika's head on top of the mountain to let him watch the war. After the war, Krishna aks Barbarika, "What did you see?". Barbarika responds, "All I saw was the glory of a Devi and a sudarshana chakra ( Krishna's weapon) making rounds around the battlefield. He was implying that Lord Krishna was in control of the events in Kurukshetra.

Author's Notes:

I picked this story from the Mahabharata because I found it in a book in middle school . I remember reciting the story to my grandma and her reaction. She hadn't heard the story before and was delighted that I was interested in finding stories like these. The story of Barbarika fascinated me on the depth of characters the Mahabharata offers