Character

Barbarika

बर्बरीकBarbarīka

Also called Barbarik, Khatu Shyam

verses
88
book
1
chapters
7

What the texts say

In the Skanda Purana, Barbarika is the son of Ghatotkacha and so the grandson of Bhima, Ghatotkacha's father. Skanda Purana 1.2.61.32, 1.2.64.1, 1.2.64.43 A hymn there addresses him as Suryavarcha, a Yaksha-king, born through a minor curse and engaged in removing the burden of the earth. Skanda Purana 1.2.66.115 He worships the Goddess at holy Guptakshetra, as Krishna instructed, and wins incomparable might. Skanda Purana 1.2.66.115, 1.2.64.1 His arrows, given by the Goddess, are famed as unfailing. Skanda Purana 1.2.66.45 The same hymn calls him revered in the Kali Yuga and says that by Krishna's boon he can grant every wish. Skanda Purana 1.2.66.115

Where to read

Every verse that names Barbarika, book by book.

    • 1.2.63.4

      Seeing her, Vijaya at once became agitated, as though seized by fear; but Barbarīka, fearless, went straight to face her.

    • 1.2.66.19

      “Then, restraining the conches and kettledrums and the hundreds of trumpets, Barbarīka—standing in the midst of kings—spoke these words.”

    • 1.2.64.1

      While he thus remained on that riverbank—intent on worship of the Goddess—and delighting in the adoration of seven liṅgas, the son of Bhīma’s son (Barbarīka) continued there.

Key chapters

The chapters where Barbarika matters most.

  1. Barbarīka’s Night Vigil, Defeat of Obstacle-Makers, and the Nāga-Established Mahāliṅga (Routes to Major Kṣetras)

    Skanda Purana 1.2.63 · 33 verses

  2. Barbarīka’s Severed Head, Guptakṣetra Māhātmya, and Koṭitīrtha Phalaśruti

    Skanda Purana 1.2.66 · 21 verses

  3. भीमेश्वरलिङ्गप्रतिष्ठा तथा तीर्थाचारोपदेशः (Bhimeshvara Liṅga स्थापना and Instruction on Tīrtha Conduct)

    Skanda Purana 1.2.64 · 16 verses

  4. Mahāvidyā-Sādhana and the Gaṇeśvara Ritual Protocol

    Skanda Purana 1.2.61 · 15 verses

  5. Barbarī Tīrtha Prologue and Cosmography of Creation

    Skanda Purana 1.2.37 · 1 verse

Also known to Wikipedia · Wikidata Q2669688