In Sikar, Rajasthan, The largest section of people who believe in Khatu Shyam Baba are businessmen like Vaishya and Marwari. Who reach here in lakhs every year. Khatu Shyam ji’s real name is Barbarik, who is the son of Baba Ghatotkach and Nagkanya Maurvi.There is a temple of Khatushyam Baba in Sikar, Rajasthan. Where people come from far and wide and never go back empty handed. Shyam Baba is considered the support of the defeated. No matter what the problem, no devotee who comes to this temple gets disappointed.

Perhaps you will be surprised to know that Shyam Baba’s grandparents were the most powerful among the five Pandavas, Bhima and Hidimba. That’s why Shyam Baba was also like a lion. Due to which he was named Barbarik.Barbarik obtained three arrows by worshiping Shiva. These arrows were miraculous, which no one could defeat. That is why Shyam Baba is also called three wielders of arrows. Lord Agnidev had given a divine bow to Barbarik, with which he could conquer all the three worlds.When Barbarik got information about the Mahabharata war, he also started going to participate in the war. But Barbarik’s mother took a promise to support the one who was losing. Since then Shyam Baba was called the support of the lost.On the way, Barbarik met Shri Krishna in the guise of a Brahmin and asked him why he was carrying only three arrows for the war. Barbarik said that these arrows were so capable that they could destroy any army.

So the Brahmin pointed to a Peepal tree and asked Barbarik to pierce all the leaves of the tree with an arrow. Barbarik meditated on God and released an arrow. That arrow pierced all the leaves of the Peepal tree and after that the arrow started revolving around the feet of Shri Krishna who became a Brahmin.Actually, Shri Krishna had hidden a leaf under his foot. Barbarik understood that the arrow was circling the Brahmin’s leg to pierce the same leaf. So Barbarik asked the Brahmin to remove his foot.

Now the Brahmin asked on which side Barbarik would fight. Barbarik said that he will fight the war on behalf of the one who is losing. Hearing this, Shri Krishna became thoughtful. Because even the Kauravas knew about this promise of Barbarika.The Kauravas had already planned that on the first day they would fight with less army and would start losing. In such a situation, Barbarik will fight on their behalf and destroy the Pandavas’ army.

In such a situation, without wasting time, Shri Krishna, who became a Brahmin, asked Barbarik for a promise to give a donation. Barbarik promised to donate. The Brahmin told Barbarik that he wanted Barbarik’s head as a donation.Barbarik told to Shri Krishna that he would definitely donate his head as per the promise given, but first the Brahmin Dev would have to come in his real form. Barbarik said, O God, I will give you the head but I wish to see the war with my own eyes. Shri Krishna promised Barbarik to fulfill it.

After which Shri Krishna watered Barbarik’s head with the nectar received from 14 goddesses and placed it on a hill near the battlefield. From where one can see the scene of the barbaric war. After this, Krishna cremated Barbarik’s torso. When the great war of Mahabharata ends, then on whose head will the crown of victory be placed? Everyone started discussing this matter. So Shri Krishna described Barbarik as a witness to this war and asked him to know the answer to the question.

On which Barbarik said that the credit for the victory of this war goes only to Shri Krishna, everything behind the victory of the war was the illusion of Shri Krishna. On which Shri Krishna was pleased and said that in Kaliyuga you will be worshiped in the form of Krishna incarnation and will fulfill the wishes of your devotees.

It is written in Mahabharata that Barbarik’s head was buried in Khatu Nagar of Rajasthan state. That is why Barbarik ji’s name became famous as Khatu Shyam Baba.