Barbarika was the most powerful warrior in Mahabharata. Known for his archery skills, Barbarika could destroy any army with his three arrows. However, Barbarika had promised his Guru that he would always fight on the weaker side.
Before the war, Lord Krishna approaches Barbarika to ask him which side he would fight the war. As per the promise, he expressed his desire to fight for the weaker side, the Pandavas.
Krishna revealed that this promise is a Paradox!
Since Barbarika was the strongest warrior on the battlefield, whichever side he aligned with would weaken the opposing side. Consequently, he would continually switch sides until he annihilated everyone except himself!
To avoid this consequence, Krishna asks for Barbarika’s head. Barbarika being a true warrior, honors Krishna’s request. But expresses that his last wish is to witness the war. Krishna places Barbarika’s severed head on the hill facing the battlefield.
Barbarik and his Guru failed to consider second and third-order thinking.
First-order consequences are easy to imagine. Bad decisions arise when one fails to consider second and third-order consequences. Typically this happens when we commit to deliverables to clients or stakeholders without giving it a thought.
Sometimes the best response is “I will get back to you”. Take your time!
Don’t be a Barbarika!!
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