Barbarika’s Background and Mission: After the end of the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas heard the sound of laughter. When they went near the source of the sound, they could see Barbarika’s head. Barbarika was none other than the grandson of Bhima and Hidimba.
Barbarika’s Determination and Austerities: When he was a child, he was taught by his grandmother Hidimba that one would be liberated even if he is killed by Krishna. This lesson was deeply engraved in his mind, and to fulfill this mission, he performed austerities for many years and obtained powerful weapons from various demigods.
Barbarika’s Encounter with Krishna: When the Mahabharata war was about to begin, Barbarika decided to take the side of the Kauravas. When Krishna did not approve of this, he told Krishna that he would kill the Pandavas at once and was about to shoot a weapon at them. Immediately, he was beheaded by the Lord’s Sudarshan chakra, and his wish of being killed by Krishna was fulfilled by the Lord.
Barbarika’s Spiritual Vision: Then Barbarika offered prayers to the Lord and requested Krishna to allow him to watch the pastimes of the Lord in the Mahabharata war. The Lord granted him spiritual vision.
Barbarika’s Realization and Laughter: After watching all the pastimes of the Lord, Barbarika was laughing in ecstasy, recollecting the same. When the Pandavas heard this from Barbarika, they were eager to know who fought more bravely in the war. Barbarika replied, “In reality, NO ONE FOUGHT. Everywhere it was only the Sudarshan chakra which was moving around actively, causing Bhismadev, Dronacharya, Karna, Jayadrath, and all the warriors to fall down.”
Moral of the Story
Supreme Power of the Lord: This story illustrates the profound truth that the ultimate power behind all actions is the Supreme Lord.
Srimad Bhagavatam Verse: In Srimad Bhagavatam 1.15.21, Arjuna reflects:
tad vai dhanus ta isavah sa ratho hayaas te
so ’ham rathi nrpatayo yata aanamanti
sarvam ksanena tad abhud asad isha-riktam
bhasman hutam kuhaka-raaddham ivoptam ushyaam
Translation: “I have the very same Gandiva bow, the same arrows, the same chariot drawn by the same horses, and I use them as the same Arjuna to whom all the kings offered their due respect. But in the absence of Lord Krishna, all of them, at a moment’s notice, have become null and void. It is exactly like offering clarified butter on ashes, accumulating money with a magic wand, or sowing seeds on barren land.”
Explanation by Srila Prabhupada: Srila Prabhupada explained in his purport, “All energies and powers are derived from the supreme source, Lord Krishna, and they act as long as He desires and cease to function as soon as He withdraws. This is like electrical energies received from the powerhouse, and as soon as the powerhouse stops supplying energy, the bulbs are of no use.”
Lessons to be Learned
- Divine Power: All powers and energies in this world are derived from the Supreme Lord, and they function as long as He desires. We are instruments in His hands.
- Humility: It is essential to remain humble and remember that any talent or expertise we possess is by the grace of the Supreme Lord. Even a blade of grass cannot move without His will.
- Total Dependence on Krishna: As Prahlad Maharaj explains to his father Hiranyakashipu in Srimad Bhagavatam 7.8.7:
“My dear King, the source of my strength, of which you are asking, is also the source of yours. Indeed, the original source of all kinds of strength is one. He is not only your strength or mine, but the only strength for everyone. Without Him, no one can get any strength. Whether moving or not moving, superior or inferior, everyone, including Lord Brahma, is controlled by the strength of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
May we always remember the ultimate power of the Supreme Lord in all our endeavors and maintain humility, acknowledging His grace in every success.
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