Barbareek's Education

Hidimbaa, Barbareek's grandmother, was responsible for his early education. She was well versed in both the scriptures and in the use of arms. By the time Barbareek was in his teens he had learnt all he could from Hidimbaa. But he was not satisfied. He wanted to be the best in the world - unconquerable in action or thought. So Hidimbaa asked him to go to Dwarka to seek guidance from Krishna.

It is said that God can hear His devotee when he calls and then he comes to meet the devotee Himself. Just as Hidimbaa was advising Barbareek to go to Dwarka, Krishna landed there. Without waiting for Barbareek to say anything, he told Barbareek to go the place where the oceans meet. There he would meet a brahmin named Vijay Sindhsen. Krishna asked Barbareek to serve the brahmin devoutly. Through Vijay Sindhsen he would achieve whatever he desired.

When Barbareek reached there, Vijay was already immersed in the meditation of Shakti. The demons were afraid that Vijay would acquire insurmountable powers, and they tried to disturb him and thus foil his meditation. But Barbareek killed several of them including Replindu, Dhruv and Dhruva. One of the demons he slew was Palasi, who had been tormenting a tribe known as the Nagas. Vasuki, the king of the Nagas offered a boon to Barbareek and the lad wished that his master's meditation be completed without interruption.

Thus with Barbareek's assistance Vijay Sindhusen completed his objective. The brahmin then guided Barbareek through a series of austerities. Barbareek successfully completed these and was ready to become unconquerable. Lord Shiva gave Barbareek three infallible arrows with which he could defeat any one in the three worlds. Vijay Sindhusen the instructed Barbareek in the use of these arrows.

The Pandavas had completed their exile and had demanded their kingdom back from Duryodhana. The latter had refused making war inevitable. It was at this time that the Pandavas had camped near the place Vijay was giving final instructions to Barbareek. Bhim went to bathe in the pond from which Barbareek took water for his daily worship. Barbareek took offence and a squabble ensued in which neither Bhim nor Barbareek was willing to relent. The matter was about to progress to the use of arms when Vijay Sindhusen intervened. He introduced grandson to grandfather. The two had not seen each other since Barbareek's birth. There was great rejoicing in the Pandava camp at their grandson's accomplishments but Barbareek was depressed. He had committed the unforgivable sin of fighting with his elder and wanted to end his life.

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