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In the Mahabharata, Barbarika (IAST Barbarīka) was the son of Ghatotkacha and Maurvi, daughter of Muru, a Yadava king.

Barbarika was originally a yaksha, and was reborn as a man.

He wanted to fight on the Pandava side, he was forced to stick to his principle of always fighting on behalf of the losing side. For another version of his story and his life, see Khatushyamji.

Vettam Mani; Puranic Encyclopaedia.

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Barbarik never fought war of Mahabharata. He offered his head to Shri Krsna.

Bhima had a son Ghatothkach from Hidimba. The Son of Ghatothkach (grandson of Bhima)was also named Barbarik. Barbarik was brought up hidimba. Once barbarik enquired his grandmother how to achieve moksha in a shortest way. Hidimba mentioned that if his death happens in the hand of krishna he will attain moksha. Barbarik told his grandmother that he will become so powerful that fight with krishna to death. Barbarik worshipped his grandmother family diety sidambika. Sidambika blessed barbarik as ajay and gave him magical bow and arrow with which he can win the whole world.

When gurushetra war was about to start. Barbarik went to gurushetra to particpate in the war. Dharmaputra who was worried about the strength of the kaurava's enquire every maharati on how many days it will take for them to distroy the whole army ? Fighters like satayaki, arjuna and abimanyu mentioned that they can destroy the whole army in couple of days, barbarik told that he can destroy the whole army in few seconds.

Krishna asked him to show his power. He took krisha to near by tree and asked him how many leaves are there in the tree ? Krishna mentioned it is innumerable. At that time a leaf fell down and krishna put his feet on the top of it to hide. Barbarik shot the arrow with the command that it shall create a hole in the leaves. When krishna moved his legs and saw the leaf even under his feet's protection was not spared and had a hole. He explained that by one command on his magical arrow, he can kill the whole army. Krishna took his sudharshana chakra and cut is head off. He did not die and he was floating in the air.

When all pandavas enquired, krishna said that barbarik is trying to disturb the time which has chartered it own course of action. Barbarik was happy to have his end in the hands of krishna. Krishna blessed him to stay live to see the whole war

After the completion of the war, the surviving pandavas become arrogant and they were mentioning about the great war done by them. At that time barbarik start laughing. Bhema the grand father got angry and sought explanation. Barabrik mentioned that what he saw the action of lord shiva the great destructor killing all in the war field. Krishna explained the same to bhima and pointed out their arrogance and what the truth is. With the permission of his parent and blessing of krishna, he left the body to merge with krishna or attain moksha