Bane BarbarikKhatu Shyam
‖ how Barbarika became Khatu Shyam ‖
How Barbarika, the greatest archer of the Mahabharata, became Khatu Shyam in the Kali Yuga — this katha-bhajan threads that sacred journey into moving song. The famous rendering by Lakhbir Singh Lakkha.
This is a katha-bhajan — the sacred journey of "Barbarika becoming Khatu Shyam" set to song. The gift of the head by the greatest archer of the Mahabharata, Krishna’s boon, and the re-appearance at Khatu in the Kali Yuga — every chapter is bound into its lines.
Lakhbir Singh Lakkha made this bhajan immortal with his remarkable voice. His version is the best-loved at melas, jagrans and satsangs.
Bane Barbarik Khatu Shyam
Romanized so you can follow and sing along. The full performance carries more verses.
Refrain
Bane Barbarik Khatu Shyam kaise,
Suno bhaktajano katha yeh kaise.
Mahabharat mein sheesh diya tha,
Kaliyug mein Baba prakat hua hai.
1 Bheem ka pautra, Ghatotkach ka laala,
Ahilavati ka putra niraala.
Teen baan ki shakti paakar,
Bana dhanurdhar sabse nyaara.
2 Shri Krishna ne Brahman roop dhara,
Daan mein sheesh maang liya pyaara.
Hanste-hanste de diya sheesh,
Paaya var — Kaliyug ka eesh.
Watch the bhajan
Lakhbir Singh Lakkha’s well-known rendering (Bhaktidwar Television).
The bhajan’s opening line is a question — "How did Barbarika become Khatu Shyam?" To ask it is to open the door to the whole devotional story.
The verses bring the story in order — the family background (grandson of Bhima), the boon of three arrows, Krishna’s test, and the gift of the head. It is a "katha you can sing", reminding devotees of the journey from the Mahabharata to the Kali Yuga.
Lakhbir Singh Lakkha’s singing fills the bhajan with a special power — his sweet yet strong voice carries both Baba’s valour and his tender love for his devotees.
When it is sung
Jagran, satsang and mela journeys — especially where new devotees are being introduced to Baba’s story.
Singers
The well-known rendering by Lakhbir Singh Lakkha (Bhaktidwar Television, 2018). Many artists have their own versions of this katha-bhajan.
Original Hindi lyrics
बने बर्बरीक खाटू श्याम कैसे
The full Hindi page carries the original Devanagari lyrics, the complete meaning and the video.
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Who sings "Bane Barbarik Khatu Shyam"?
The best-known version is by Lakhbir Singh Lakkha (Bhaktidwar Television, 2018), though many artists have recorded their own renderings of this katha-bhajan.
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What is the bhajan about?
It tells, in song, how Barbarika — the greatest archer of the Mahabharata — gave his head to Krishna and was reborn in the Kali Yuga as Khatu Shyam.
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