Originally posted by: -Archu-
[Quote]Soon, the battle camp was filled with the sound of revelry. The soldiers danced and sang as food and wine were served. In the midst of the victory celebrations, a dispute arose among the soldiers as to who of all the Pandavas was the greatest warrior on Kuru-kshetra? Was it Arjuna who killed Bhishma and Karna? Or was it Bhima who killed all the hundred Kauravas? If the answer is so important to you, why don't you ask the talking head?' said Krishna. The talking head was Barbareek, the son of Ahilawati, a Naga princess, who claimed his father was Bhima. There were many who believed that his father was not Bhima but Bhima's son, Ghatotkacha. Barbareek had come to Kuru-kshetra armed with just three arrows. With one, I can destroy the Pandavas. With the other, the Kauravas. And with the third, Krishna,' he said boastfully. To test his skill, Krishna asked him to shoot all the leaves of a Banyan tree. Everyone watched with wonder as a single arrow released from Barbareek's bow pierced all the leaves on the tree and then hovered over Krishna's foot which Krishna had slyly placed over a fallen leaf. On which side do you plan to fight?' asked Krishna, impressed by the great warrior. On the side of the loser,' said Barbareek, for only then am I invincible.'
The reply disturbed Krishna. If Barbareek was invincible only when he was on the losing side, he would always support one army until the time it was losing. As soon as his contribution made that side stronger, he would cross over and join the other side. When the Kauravas would be winning, he would fight against them and when they would be losing, he would fight for them. As a result, the war would never reach a conclusion.
To prevent such an eventuality, Krishna came up with a plan. Will you help me?' asked Krishna, I feel helpless against this warrior who threatens the world.' Barbareek who could never say no to the helpless replied, Who is it? Tell me and I shall destroy him.' Krishna immediately showed Barbareek a mirror. Give me the head of this warrior, I beg you.' Barbareek realized he had been tricked by Krishna but he could not say no. So he severed his head from his body and offered it to Krishna. His only regret was that he would die without witnessing the war of Kuru-kshetra. Divining this, Krishna breathed life into Barbareek's head. He would see all and hear all, but never be able to participate in anything. At first, Barbareek's head was placed on the ground. But each time he found something funny on the battlefield and laughed, he would push back hundreds of galloping war-chariots simply by the force of his laughter. So Krishna placed his head on top of a hill from where he had a panoramic view of the war. He surely has seen more of the war than anyone else. He will answer your question best,' said Krishna to the Pandava army. When the soldiers asked the talking head who the greatest warrior in Kurukshetra was, he gave a very strange reply, Bhima? Arjuna? I saw neither. In fact I saw no warrior. All I saw was the Sudarshan Chakra of Vishnu whizzing past and cutting the heads of unrighteous kings. And the blood spilt consumed by the earth who spread out her tongue in the form of Kali.' When the Pandavas asked for an explanation, it said, Long ago, Vishnu took the form of Prithu, who said that as king he would treat her as a cowherd treats a cow. To ensure harmony between human culture and nature, he established the code of civilization known as dharma based on discipline, generosity and sacrifice. Pleased, the earth took the form of Gauri, the mother, who nourishes life on earth with her bounty. Kings were appointed on earth to institute and maintain dharma in their respective kingdoms. Unfortunately, as the years passed, the kings forgot their primary role as custodians of dharma. They used their power to plunder the earth. An anguished earth, in the form of a cow, went to Vishnu weeping and reminded him of his promise. Vishnu was furious when he saw how the greed of kings had made her udders sore and broken her back. He swore to teach the kings of the earth a lesson. He would descend to earth as Parashurama and Ram and Krishna and kill all those who followed adharma. He told the gentle Gauri to turn into the fearsome Kali and quench her thirst with the blood of all those who greedily squeezed out her milk. Thus, this war is not just about the Pandavas and Kauravas, it is about man's relationship with the earth. The talking head, placed above the battlefield, saw the violence with a perspective that was much wider than of those in the battlefield.'[/Quote]
The story of Barbareek is posted in 'leeser known characters 'thread I think..dont remember who posted it..i liked it and saved the story..
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