Any vow should be taken considering all its implications. If not, it will bring in disaster. Great example of this is Barbarika.
Barbarika was the son of Ghatotkacha and grandson of Bhima. He learnt all Marshall arts from his mother. The ashtadevas, seeing his devotion, gave him three infallible asthraas. (at this point, let's recollect the difference between asthra and arrow. An arrow once shot doesn't come back. An asthra on the other hand after completing the task returns back to its owner). The first asthra would mark all the friends and allies. The second one would mark those that aren't involved and are just there witnessing. The third would get all the unmarked targets done with.
Barbarika with a thought of being helpful, took an oath that he would always be in a losing side in a battle.
Time rolled by and the battle of Mahabharata became inevitable.
Krishna wanted to check the potential of Barbarika, so he asked to tie all the leaves of a near by tree. Without the knowledge of Barbarika, Krishna hid one leaf under his feet. The first asthra of Barbarika marked all the fruits and flowers of the tree that should not be hurt. The second asthra marked the other tree leaves that are nearby. The third asthra began collecting all unmarked leaves, essentially all the leaves. On collecting all leaves on the tree, the asthra came towards Krishna's foot to collect that leaf also. Krishna understood that even if in hiding, enemies marked by Barbarika would not endure.
Krishna, then said to Barbarika, you are the most powerful and brave warrior of all time. For that reason, I beg to have your head as a dhanam. It is custom to have a Bali before the battle begins. Barbarika immediately accepts, but in return asks Krishna the favor of allowing his head alone to see the full battle. Krishna beheads him and places his head on a nearby hill. Barbarika's head becomes a judge in the battle.
Krishna then explains his act of asking Barbarika's head as charity. If Barbarika had participated in the battle, he would be battling for pandavas in the beginning, as they were weaker side. The first time Barbarika shoots an arrow, the opposite side would have become weaker. So, to keep up his vow, Barbarika would have changed sides. He would be oscillating between the sides till the battle was over. By the time the battle got over, only Barbarika would remain alive.
The thoughtless vow of Barbarika became the reason for his end of life.
This story tells us the significance of why we must think twice or thrice before talking anything.
Hare Krishna!!
P. S. : Barbarika is still worshipped in the Name of balideva and Khattushyam in Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat
Barbarika was the son of Ghatotkacha and grandson of Bhima. He learnt all Marshall arts from his mother. The ashtadevas, seeing his devotion, gave him three infallible asthraas. (at this point, let's recollect the difference between asthra and arrow. An arrow once shot doesn't come back. An asthra on the other hand after completing the task returns back to its owner). The first asthra would mark all the friends and allies. The second one would mark those that aren't involved and are just there witnessing. The third would get all the unmarked targets done with.
Barbarika with a thought of being helpful, took an oath that he would always be in a losing side in a battle.
Time rolled by and the battle of Mahabharata became inevitable.
Krishna wanted to check the potential of Barbarika, so he asked to tie all the leaves of a near by tree. Without the knowledge of Barbarika, Krishna hid one leaf under his feet. The first asthra of Barbarika marked all the fruits and flowers of the tree that should not be hurt. The second asthra marked the other tree leaves that are nearby. The third asthra began collecting all unmarked leaves, essentially all the leaves. On collecting all leaves on the tree, the asthra came towards Krishna's foot to collect that leaf also. Krishna understood that even if in hiding, enemies marked by Barbarika would not endure.
Krishna, then said to Barbarika, you are the most powerful and brave warrior of all time. For that reason, I beg to have your head as a dhanam. It is custom to have a Bali before the battle begins. Barbarika immediately accepts, but in return asks Krishna the favor of allowing his head alone to see the full battle. Krishna beheads him and places his head on a nearby hill. Barbarika's head becomes a judge in the battle.
Krishna then explains his act of asking Barbarika's head as charity. If Barbarika had participated in the battle, he would be battling for pandavas in the beginning, as they were weaker side. The first time Barbarika shoots an arrow, the opposite side would have become weaker. So, to keep up his vow, Barbarika would have changed sides. He would be oscillating between the sides till the battle was over. By the time the battle got over, only Barbarika would remain alive.
The thoughtless vow of Barbarika became the reason for his end of life.
This story tells us the significance of why we must think twice or thrice before talking anything.
Hare Krishna!!
P. S. : Barbarika is still worshipped in the Name of balideva and Khattushyam in Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat
Never heard of this. Nice initiative Shanthi. Keep going
ReplyDeleteVery nice to hear these sort of unheard stories. Thank u shanthi.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot..
ReplyDeleteUnknown story Shanti super thanks for enlighting
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