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 fulfillment of his promise, and in compliance with the Krishna's command, Barbarika gave his head to him in charity.
This happened on the 12th day of the Shukla Paksha (bright half) of the month of Phalgun on Tuesday.
Barbarika was a Yaksha in his previous birth.
Once Lord Brahma and several other Devas came to Vaikuntha and complained to Lord Vishnu that the Adharma on Earth was increasing; it was not possible for them to bear the tortures causes by the wicked people.
Hence they came to seek the help of Lord Vishnu to check them.
Lord Vishnu told the Devas that he will soon be incarnated on Earth as a human being and destroy all the evil forces.
Then, a Yaksha told the Devas that he alone is enough to kill all evil elements on the Earth, and it was not necessary for Lord Vishnu to descend to Earth.
This hurt Lord Brahma very much.
Lord Brahma cursed this Yaksha that whenever the time comes to eliminate all the evil forces on Earth, then Lord Vishnu will first kill him.
Later, the Yaksha takes birth as Barbarika and Lord Krishna seeks his head in charity as a result of this curse.
Since that day Human Barbarika become the Khatu Shyam, The realizer of Lord Krishna by Barbarika given his head and God Krishna himself manifested in his heart.
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 fulfillment of his promise, and in compliance with the Krishna's command, Barbarika gave his head to him in charity. This happened on the 12th day of the Shukla Paksha (bright half) of the month of Phalgun on Tuesday. Barbarika was a Yaksha in his previous birth. Once Lord Brahma and several other Devas came to Vaikuntha and complained to Lord Vishnu that the Adharma on Earth was increasing; it was not possible for them to bear the tortures causes by the wicked people. Hence they came to seek the help of Lord Vishnu to check them. Lord Vishnu told the Devas that he will soon be incarnated on Earth as a human being and destroy all the evil forces. Then, a Yaksha told the Devas that he alone is enough to kill all evil elements on the Earth, and it was not necessary for Lord Vishnu to descend to Earth. This hurt Lord Brahma very much. Lord Brahma cursed this Yaksha that whenever the time comes to eliminate all the evil forces on Earth, then Lord Vishnu will first kill him. Later, the Yaksha takes birth as Barbarika and Lord Krishna seeks his head in charity as a result of this curse. Since that day Human Barbarika become the Khatu Shyam, The realizer of Lord Krishna by Barbarika given his head and God Krishna himself manifested in his heart.
Khatushyam