Barbarika the greatest knight
In Baratayudha, Barbarika was the Son of Gatotkaca and Murvi, daughter of Muru Raja of Yadawa nation. He wants to fight on pandawa's side, together with Bima, his paternal grandfather.
However, he was sworn in that he would fight on the losing side, which led to the end he only became a witness of the war without intervening in battle. In a version, he is likened to the tumbal for Pandawa's success in Bharatayudha. In return he was deified as a gift from Krishna.
Barbarika's Dialogue with Krisna
Before Baratayudha began, Krishna asked each maharathi how many days it would take to complete the war alone.
Bisma said it took him 20 days to finish the war. Dorna answered 25 days, Karna answered 24 days, while Arjuna answered 28 days. When he finally asked Barbarika, he replied that it only took an hour to finish the war.
Krisna asked for proof of the answer,: "If you can wheeze ...tying all the leaves to the Sacred Fig tree, I believe you can finish the war in an hour."
Barbarika takes an arrow, then attaches it to her forehead while uttering a spell that can make her successfully answer Krisna's challenge. Meanwhile, Krishna plucks one leaf and hides it under her feet.
Barbarika fires an arrow, which then plucks each leaf from the tree. Barbarika's spell magic allows the arrow to find the leaves that Krisna hides.
Arrows swirled around Krisna and fell on the soles of her feet. Krisna is amazed by Barbarika's abilities and blesses her as the greatest Satria. Then Krisna asked Barbarika which side she was going to defend. Barbarika recounts that she was bound by the promise of defending the losing side.
Therefore, he had to withdraw from the war. Krisna finally asked who she considered a teacher. Barbarika replied that it was Krishna who she considered a teacher.
Krisna then asked him to give Gurudakshina (student gift to the teacher). Barbarika agrees to give krisna what she wants. Krishna said, "As you offered, I asked for your head."
Barbarika obeyed him and cut off his head. Krisna was amazed by Barbarika's sacrifice and told Barbarika to ask Krisna for something as a gift. Barbarika asks to be able to see Bharatayuda.
Krishna granted the request, and put Barbarika's head on a bamboo bar and placed it on a hill so that Barbarika could witness every event in Bharatayudha.
At the end of Bharatayudha, those who are still alive on Pandawa's side argue about who played a role in the victory. Unable to find an answer, Krisna decides to ask Barbarika who has witnessed all the events of the war.
They all went to where Barbarika was and asked about who really won the war. Barbarika replied, "Krisna, I don't see anyone but Krisna doing it. Every move is Krishna. Every action is Krishna. Krisna did it all."