The saga of Shyam Baba comes in Mahabharata. Barbarika was grandson (or maybe son) of Bhima. He was the son of Ghatotkacha, son of Bhima and Nagakanya Ahilawati. Barbarika, from his childhood was very brave and a great warrior. He learnt the warfare from his mother, Ahilaati. Lord Shiva, gave him the three infallible arrows (Teen Baan). Hence, Barbarika came to be known by the appellation Teen Baandhaari, the ‘Bearer of Three Arrows.’ Agni Deva gave him bow which would make him victorious in 3 worlds.
When Barbarika came to know that battle between Pandavas and Kauravas will happen, he wanted to witness the battle. He promised his mother that he would join the side which would be losing. He rode on his Blue Horse (Neela Ghoda) equipped with 3 arrows and bow.
Lord Krishna, disguised as a Brahmin, stopped Barbarika to examine his strength. He even tried to mock Barbareek saying that he was going to the great battle with only three arrows. Barbarika replied that a single arrow was enough to destroy all his opponents in the war, and it would then return to his quiver. He stated that, the first arrow is used to mark all the things that he wants to destroy. On releasing the third arrow, it would destroy all the things that are marked and will then return to his quiver. If he uses the second arrow, then the second arrow will mark all the things that he wants to save. On using the third arrow, it will destroy all the things that are not marked. Lord Krishna challenged him to tie all the leaves of the peepal tree under which he was standing, with one arrow. Barbarika accepts the challenge and starts meditating to release his arrow by closing his eyes. Then, Krishna without the knowledge of Barbarika, plucks one of the leaf of the tree and puts it under his foot. When Barbarik releases his first arrow, it marks all the leaves of the tree and finally starts revolving around the leg of Krishna. For this Krishna asks Barbarika, as why was the arrow revolving around his foot? For this, Barbareek replies that there must be a leaf under his foot and the arrow was targeting his foot to mark the leaf that is hidden under him. Barbarika advises Krishna to lift his leg, since, otherwise the arrow will mark the leaf by pricking Krishna’s leg. Thus, Krishna lifts his foot and to his surprise, finds that the first arrow also marks the leaf that was hidden under his foot. Of course, the third arrow does collect all the leaves (including the one under Krishna’s foot) and ties them together. By this Krishna concludes that the arrows are so infallible, that even if Barbarika is not aware of his targets, the arrows are so powerful that they can still navigate and trace all his intended targets. Lord Krishna asked the boy whom he would favour in the war. Barbarika revealed that he will fight for whichever side is weak. Lord Krishna knew that the defeat of the Kauravas was inevitable if this boy joins them.
The Brahmin (Lord Krishna) then sought charity from the boy. Barbarika promised him anything he wished. Lord Krishna asked him to give his head in charity. Barbarika was shocked, he requested the Brahmin to disclose his real identity. Lord Krishna showed Barbarika a vision of His Divine Form. He explained to Barbarika that before the battle, in order to worship the battlefield, head of the bravest Kshatriya needs to be sacrificed. And he considered Barbarika to be the bravest among Kshatriyas, and hence asked 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.
Barbareek requested that he wanted to see the battle till its end, and his wish was granted. The head was placed atop a hill overlooking the battlefield.
When the battle was over, the victorious Pandava brothers argued amongst themselves as to who was responsible for the victory. At this, Lord Krishna suggested that Barbarika’s head had watched the whole battle, and he should be allowed to judge. Barbarika’s head suggested that it was Lord Krishna who was responsible for the victory, his advice, his presence, his game plan had been crucial. He 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.
After the Mahabharata battle, Barbarika’s head was buried in the village called Khatu. On one occasion, milk started flowing 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 appeared. The head was handed over to a Brahmin who worshipped it for many days. 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 head “Shish” was installed on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha (bright half) of Kartik month.
Krishna, pleased with Barbarika’s great sacrifice, granted him the boon that when Kaliyuga descends, he would be worshipped by the name of Shyam (Lord Krishna’s own name) in his form. His 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.
There is another, only slightly different version of this legend. Narmada Kanwar, wife of King of Khatu, 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) was 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. 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.
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 Dani - Literally: “Donor of Head.”
Hare 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 infallible 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.”
Khatu Naresh: Literally: “The King of Khatu“; One who rules Khatu and the whole universe.
Two special hymns, the Shri Shyam Aarti and the Shri Shyam Vinati, are chanted on all these occasions.
Shyam Baba aarti :
Om jai shri shyam hare, baba jai shri shyam hare
Khatu dham virajat, anupam roop dhare, Om jai shri shyam hare…
Ratan jadit singhasan, sir per chanvar dule
Tan keshariya baago, kundal shravan pade, Om jai shri shyam hare…
Gal pushpon ki maala, sir par mukut dhare
Khevat dhoop agni par, deepak jyoti jale, Om jai shri shyam hare…
Modak kheer choorma, suvaran thaal bhare,
Sevak bhog lagaave, seva nitya kare, Om jai shri shyam hare…
Jhanj katora aur ghadiyaaval, shankh mridang dhure,
Bhakt aarti gaave, jay jay kaar kare, Om jai shri shyam hare…
Jo dhyave phal paave, sab dukh se ubare,
Sevak jan nij mukh se, shri shyam shyam uchare, Om jai shri shyam hare…
Shri shyam bihariji ki aarti, jo koi nar gave
Kahat alusingh swami, manvanchit phal paave, Om jai shri shyam hare…
Om jai shri shyam hare Ooo, baba jai shri shyam hare,
Nij bhakton ke tumne, pooran kaaj kare, Om jai shri shyam hare…
The vinati (shyam puspanjali) :
Haath jod vinati karu, sunjyo chit lagaye
Das aa gayo sharan main, rakhiyo iski laaj
Dhanye dhudharo desh hain, khatu nagar sujan
Anupam chavi shri shyam ki, darshan se kalian
Shyam shyam to main ratu, shyam hain jeevan pran
Shyam bakht jag main bade, unko karu pranam
Khatu nagar ke beech main, banyo aapko dham
Phalgun shukla mela bhare, jai jai baba shyam
Phalgun shukla dwadshi, utsav bhari hoye
Baba ke darbar se, khali jaye na koye
Umapati laxmipati, sitapati shri ram
Lajja sabki rakhiyon, khatu ke shri shyam
Paan supari ilachi, atar sugandhit bharpur
Sab bhaktan ki vinti, darshan devo hazoor
Alusingh to prem se, dhare shyam ko dhyan
Shyam Bhakt pave sada, shyam kripa se maan
