Mortal · Folk · West India

Barbarika

Also called: Barbarik, Suhridaya

Son of Ghatotkacha and grandson of Bhima, a warrior with three arrows from the Goddess. He gave his head to Krishna before the Mahabharata war and is worshipped at Khatu as Khatu Shyam.

Sources: Skanda Purana, Mahesvara Khanda, Kaumarika Khanda 59 to 66 (Wisdom Library translation; Dvaipayana summary); Khatu Shyam katha and Khatu pragatya (khatu.in) · see Barbarika's web

Relations 17

Barbarika received a boon from

Shiva (God) Folk · The riddle on the swing (Ghatotkacha's bride and Barbarika's birth)
Three arrows that cannot fail, after his tapas (Khatu tradition).
Agni (God) Folk · The riddle on the swing (Ghatotkacha's bride and Barbarika's birth)
A bow that can win the three worlds (Khatu tradition).
Vijaya (Siddhasena) (Mortal) All traditions · The guard at Vijaya's fire
The saffron-like ash of his fire, which destroys enemies in battle.
Vasuki (Vahana / animal) All traditions · The guard at Vijaya's fire
Offers a boon; Barbarika asks for Vijaya's success.

Barbarika blessed by

Krishna (Avatar) Vaishnava · The riddle on the swing (Ghatotkacha's bride and Barbarika's birth)
Names him Suhridaya and sends him to the goddesses of Guptakshetra.
Siddhambika (God) Shakta · The grandson at the pond
Saves him from the sea and names him Chandila.
Krishna (Avatar) Vaishnava · The head that watched the war (Barbarika and Krishna)
Gives him the name Shyam and the promise of worship in the Kali age.

Barbarika child of

Ghatotkacha (Mortal) All traditions · The head that watched the war (Barbarika and Krishna)
His father.
Kamakantakata (Mortal) Folk · The head that watched the war (Barbarika and Krishna)
His mother, to whom he promised to fight for the losing side.

Barbarika devotee of

Siddhambika (God) Shakta · The guard at Vijaya's fire
Three years of worship at Guptakshetra.
Durga (God) Shakta · The head that watched the war (Barbarika and Krishna)
Worships the Goddess and receives his arrows.

Barbarika slew

Palashi (Asura) All traditions · The guard at Vijaya's fire
In the cave city of Bahuprabha.
Duhadruha (Asura) All traditions · The guard at Vijaya's fire
In the third watch of Vijaya's night.

Barbarika has form

Khatu Shyam (Form) Folk · The cow at Khatu (how the head came to Khatu)
The head worshipped at Khatu.

Barbarika rival of

Bhima (King) All traditions · The grandson at the pond
Fights his grandfather at the goddess's pond without knowing him.

Barbarika taught by

Kamakantakata (Mortal) Folk · The riddle on the swing (Ghatotkacha's bride and Barbarika's birth)
His mother teaches him war (Khatu tradition).

Barbarika tested by

Krishna (Avatar) Vaishnava · The head that watched the war (Barbarika and Krishna)
Comes as a Brahmin and asks for his head.

Stories 6

The riddle on the swing (Ghatotkacha's bride and Barbarika's birth)
Legend · as the son · 2 tellings
The guard at Vijaya's fire
Legend · as the guard · 1 telling
The grandson at the pond
Legend · as the guardian · 1 telling
Bhima's blindness and Yogamaya's promise
Legend · as asked to stay at the sangama · 1 telling
The head that watched the war (Barbarika and Krishna)
From the epics · as the warrior · 2 tellings
The cow at Khatu (how the head came to Khatu)
Local story · as whose head it is · 1 telling

Cited

Skanda Purana, Mahesvara Khanda, Kaumarika Khanda 59 to 66 (Wisdom Library translation; Dvaipayana summary) Primary text (translation)
Khatu Shyam katha and Khatu pragatya (khatu.in) Temple tradition