Khatushyamji
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In Hinduism, Khatushyamji is a name and manifestation of Barbarika, son of Ghatotkacha. This manifestation is especially popular in Rajasthan. The original Sanskrit name Barbarīka is often replaced in Rajasthan by the Hindi version, Barbarīk, often written as Barbareek.
Barbarika had obtained a boon from Krishna to the effect that he would be known by Krishna's own name (Shyam) in the Kaliyuga era (presently ongoing) and worshipped. Krishna had declared that Barbarika's devotees would be blessed just by pronouncing his name from the bottom of their hearts. Their wishes would be granted and troubles removed if they worship Shyamji (Barbarika) with a true piety.
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[edit] The saga of Barbarika
The saga of Shyam Baba begins with the Mahabharata. Barbarika was a grandson of Bhima, Second of the Pandava brothers. He was the son of Ghatotkacha, son of Bhima, by his wife Nagakanya Ahilawati. Even in his childhood, Barbarika was very brave warrior. He learnt the art of warfare from his mother. Shiva, pleased with him, gave him the three infallible arrows (Teen Baan). Hence, Barbarika came to be known by the appelation Teen Baandhaari, the 'Bearer of Three Arrows.' Later, Agni (the God of Fire) gave him the Bow that would make him victorious in the three worlds.
When Barbarika learnt that battle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas had become inevitable, he wanted to witness what was to be the Mahabharata War. He promised his mother that if he felt the urge to participate in the battle, he would join the side which would be losing. He rode to the field on his Blue Horse (Neela Ghoda) equipped with his three arrows and bow.
[edit] Krishna tests Barbarika
The omnipresent Krishna, disguised as a Brahmin, stopped Barbarika to examine his strength. He baited Barbarika by mocking him for going to the great battle with only three arrows. On this, Barbarika replied that a single arrow was enough to destroy all his opponents in the war, and it would then return to his quiver. If all the three were used, it would create havoc in the three worlds. Krishna challenged him to tie all the leaves of the peepal tree under which he was standing, with one arrow. Barbarika accepted the challenge, removed one arrow from his quiver and released it from his bow. The arrow tied all the leaves together within moments. However, Krishna had held one leaf under his foot, and the arrow started revolving around it. Krishna then asked the boy whom he would favour in the war. Barbarika revealed that he intended to fight for whichever side appeared set to lose. Krishna knew that the defeat of the Kauravas was inevitable. He judged that if this brave boy joins their side, the result would then tilt in their favour.
[edit] Barbarika's act of charity
The Brahmin (Krishna) then sought charity from the warrior. Barbarika promised him anything he wished. Krishna asked him to give his head in charity. Barbarika was shocked. Perceiving that all was not as it appeared, he requested the Brahmin to disclose his real identity. Krishna showed Barbarika a vision of His Divine Form and Barbarika was thus graced. Krishna then explained to him that before a battle, the head of the bravest Kshatriya needs to be sacrificed, in order to worship/sanctify the battlefield. Krishna said that he considered Barbarika to be the bravest among Kshatriyas, and was hence asking for his head in charity. In fulfilment of his promise, and in compliance with the Lord's command, Barbarika gave his head to Krishna in charity. This happened on the 12th day of the Shukla Paksha (bright half) of the month of Phalguna.
Krishna, pleased with Barbarika's great sacrifice, granted him the boon that when Kaliyuga descends, he would be worshipped by the name of Shyam in his form. His devotees would be blessed just by pronouncing his name from the bottom of their hearts.
[edit] Bearing witness to the war
Before decapitating himself, Barbarika told Krishna of his great desire to view the forthcoming battle, and requested him to facilitate it. Krishna agreed, and placed the head atop a hill overlooking the battlefield. From the hill, the head of Barbarika watched the whole battle.
At the end of the battle, the victorious Pandava brothers argued amongst themselves as to who was responsible for the victory. Krishna suggested that Barbarika's head, which had watched the whole battle, should be allowed to judge. Barbarika's head suggested that it was Krishna alone who was responsible for the victory: his advice, his presence, his gameplan had been crucial. Barbarika's head said that he had seen the Sudarshana Chakra revolving around the battlefield, hacking the Kaurava army to pieces; and Draupadi, assuming the fearful form of Mahakali Durga, drinking bowl after bowl of blood without allowing even one drop of blood to fall on the earth.
[edit] Similar Motifs in other Indian Cultures
In Tamil Nadu, in the south of India, Barbareeka has a cognate in Aravaan, celebrated in folk performing arts ("KaaLiyaaTTam": The Life History of a Performer and the Development of a Performing Art, Aru. Ramanathan Asian Folklore Studies, Vol. 59, No. 1 (2000), pp. 23-40.
The story of Aravaan is also involved with Krishna. Aravaan is the son of Arjuna and a tribal girl, Chitrankadhai (The Manipuri Princess Chitraangadaa). In the Sanskrit recension, Aravaan is Babhruvahana, Arjuna's parricide son who is helped by is Naga stepmother Uloopi to revive Arjuna.
On the eve of the Great Mahabharata War Krishna advises the Pandavas that only a human sacrifice will assure them success on the battlefield. The sacrificial victim should be of noble descent and possess all virtues. Nobody knows a proper candidate, until Krishna remembers Arjuna's son Aravaan.
Krishna then convinces Aravaan of the importance of the sacrifice. Eager to please his father Aravaan enthusiastically volunteers. His family asks him what favour he would like in return and Aravaan says he would like to be married. Not being able to find a bride for a bridegroom who is about to be killed, Krishna turns himself into a woman and becomes Aravaan's wife for a night. At dawn, the next day Aravaan is sacrificed.
In some versions of the story, Aravaan is an unacknowledged bastard, and agrees to the sacrifice to please his newfound family.
In Tamil Nadu each year in April/May, transgendered persons, (Hindi hijra, Tamil aravaani), as they are called there — celebrate an 18-day religious festival. The aravani temple is located in the village Koovagam in the Ulundurpet taluk in Villupuram district, and is devoted to the deity Koothandavar. During the festival, the aravaanis reenact the wedding of Krishna and Aravaan, followed by Aravaan's subsequent sacrifice. They then mourn Aravaan's death through ritualistic dances and by breaking their bangles. An annual beauty pageant is also held, as well as various health and HIV/AIDS seminars. Hijras from all over the country travel to this festival.
[edit] Other names of the deity
- Barbarika: Khatushyamji's childhood name was Barbarika. His mother and relatives used to call him by this name before the name Khatushyamji was given by Shri Krishna.
- Sheesh Ke Daani: Literally: "Donor of Head." As per the legend related above.
- Haare Ka Sahara: Literally: "Support of the defeated." Upon his mother's advise, Barbarika resolved to support whoever has less power and is losing. Hence he is known by this name.
- Teen BaaN Dhaari: Literally: "Bearer of three arrows." Reference is to the three infallable arrows that he received as boon from God Shiva. These arrows were sufficient to destroy the whole world. The title written below these three arrows is Maa Sevyam Parajitah.
- Lakha-datari: Literally: "The Munificent Giver," one who never hesitates to give his devotees whatever they need and ask for.
- Leela ke Aswaar: Literally: "Rider of Leela," being the name of his blue-coloured horse. Many call it Neela Ghoda or "blue horse."
[edit] The temple
After the Mahabharata battle, Barbarika's head was buried in the village of Khatu in present-day Rajasthan. The location was obscured until well after the Kaliyuga period began. Then, on one occasion, milk started flowing spontaneously out of a cow's udder when she neared the burial spot. Amazed at this incident, the local villagers dug the place up and the buried head was revealed. The head was handed over to a Brahmin who worshipped it for many days, awaiting divine revelations as to what was to be done next. Roopsingh Chauhan, king of Khatu, then had a dream where he was inspired to build a temple and install the head therein. Subsequently, a temple was built and the idol was installed on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha (bright half) of the month of Kartik.
There is another, only slightly different version of this legend. Roopsingh Chauhan was the ruler of Khatu. His wife, Narmada Kanwar, once had a dream in which the deity instructed her to take his image out of the earth. The indicated place (now known as Shyam Kund) when then dug up. Sure enough, it yielded the idol, which was duly enshrined in the temple.
The original temple was built in 1027 AD by Roopsingh Chauhan and his wife Narmada Kanwar. In 1720 AD, a nobleman known as Diwan Abhaisingh renovated the old temple, at the behest of the then ruler of Marwar. The temple took its present shape at this time and the idol was enshrined in the Sanctum Sanctorum. The idol is made of rare stone. Khatushyam is the family deity of a large number of families.
[edit] Architectural features
The temple is architecturally rich. Lime mortar, marble and tiles have been used in constructing the structure. The shutters of the Sanctum Sanctorum are beautifully covered with silver sheet. Outside is the prayer hall, named Jagmohan. The hall is large in size (measuring 12.3 m x 4.7 m) and its walls are elaborately painted, depicting mythological scenes. The entrance gate and exit gate are made of marble; their brackets are also of marble and feature ornamental floral designs.
[edit] Precincts
There is an open space in front of the entrance gate of the temple. The Shyam Bagicha is a garden near the temple from where flowers are picked to be offered to the deity. The Samadhi of Aloo Singh, a great devotee, is located within the garden.
The Gopinath temple lies to the south-east of the main temple. The Gaurishankar temple also lies nearby. There is an interesting tale associated with the Gaurishankar temple. It is said that some soldiers of the mughal emperor Aurangzeb wanted to destroy this temple. They attacked the Shiva lingam enshrined within this temple with their spears. Immediately, fountains of blood appeared from the Shiva Linga. The soldiers ran away, terrified. One can still see the mark of the spear on the Lingam.
[edit] Observances and festivals
Barbarika is worshipped as Shyam, being Krishna himself. Therefore, the flavour of the festivities reflects the playful and vibrant nature of Krishna. The festivals of Krishna Janmaashtami, Jhool Jhulani Ekadashi, Holi and Vasant Panchami are celebrated with gusto in the temple. The Phalguna Mela detailed below is the principal annual festival.
Hundreds of devotees visit the temple everyday. Newly married couples come to pay homage and newly born babies are brought to the temple for their mundan (the first hair-shaving) ceremony. An elaborate Aarti is performed at the temple four times a day. These are:
- Mangala Aarti: performed in the early morning, The idol is grandly ornamented for this Aarti.
- Bhog Aarti: performed at noon when bhog (Prasadam) is served to the Lord.
- Sandhya Aarti: performed in the evening, at sunset.
- Sayana Aarti: performed in the night, when temple is closed.
Two special hymns, the Shri Shyam Aarti and the Shri Shyam Vinati, are chanted on all these occasions. The Shri Shyam mantra is another litany of the Lord's names that is chanted by devotees. Other particular observances include:
Shukla Ekadashi & Dwadashi: The 11th & 12th days of the bright half of every month in the Hindu calendar is of special significance to the temple. This is because Barbarika was born on the 11th day of the bright half of the month of Kartika, and he donated his head ("Sheesh") to Krishna on the 12th day of the bright half of the month of Phalguna. Darshan on these two days is therefore considered auspicious and devotees come in their thousands every month. The temple remains open throughout the night that falls between these days. Night-long Bhajan sessions are organised since devotees traditionally pass the night in singing the praises of the Lord. Devotees organise Bhajan programmes and invite Bhajan singers to sing devotional songs.
Bathing in the Shyam Kund: This is the holy pond near the temple from which the idol was retrieved. It is believed that a dip in this pond cures a person from ailments and brings good health. Filled with devotional fervor, people take ritual dips in the Shyam Kund. They believe that this will relieve them of diseases and contagion. Bathing during the annual Falgun Mela festival is deemed specially salutary.
Nishan Yatra: It is believed that your wishes are granted if you offer a Nishan at the temple. A Nishan is a triangular flag of a particular size, made of cloth, which is hoisted on a bamboo stick. It is carried in one's hands while covering the route from the town of Ringas to Khatu (17 km) on foot. Nishans are offered in their millions during the Phalgun Mela.
Phalguna Mela: The most important festival associated with the temple is the Phalguna Mela which occurs just 3-4 days before from the festival of Holi. Barbarika's head appeared on Phalguna Shuddha Ekadashi, the 11th day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Phalguna. Therefore, the fair is held from the 9th to the 12th of that month.
An estimated one million devotees visit the temple during these four days from all corners of the country. There is virtually no vacant space in the town during this period. There is celebration and festivity in the moods of the devotees who wait for hours in long serpentine queues for a moment's glance of the deity. The whole town, along with the temple, is illuminated. Singers across all over the country come here to perform Bhajans on this holy occasion. Special arrangements are made for feeding the devotees in almost all the Dharamshalas and rest-houses. Special trains & buses also ply during the mela. The government of Rajasthan takes care of the law and order during the fair.
[edit] Administration and amenities
The Public Trust that has charge of the temple is registered under registration No. 3/86. A 7-member committee oversees the management of the temple. A number of Dharmashalas (charity lodges) are available for their comfortable stay. The temple timings are as follows:
- In winter (Ashvin bahula 1st to Chaitra shuddha 15th): 5.30 am - 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm - 9.00 pm.
- In summer (Vaishakha bahula 1st to Bhadrapada shuddha 15th): 4.30 am - 12.30 pm and 4.00 pm - 10.00 pm.
The temple is open 24 hours a day on every Shukla Paksha Ekadasi, ie., on the 11th day of the bright half of every month in the Hindu calendar. The temple is also open throughout the 3-day Phalgun Mela.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
| Hinduism | Hindu mythology | Itihasa |  |
|---|---|
| Female Deities: Gayatri | Saraswati | Lakshmi | Dakshayani | Parvati | Durga | Shakti | Kali | Sita | Devi | Radha | Mahavidya | more... | |
| Male Deities: Brahma | Vishnu | Shiva | Rama | Krishna | Ganesha | Kartikeya | Hanuman | Lakshmana | Indra | Surya | more... | |
| Texts: Vedas | Upanishads | Puranas | Ramayana | Mahabharata | |
