Subhadra
Krishna's Beloved Sister
Krishna and Balarama's sister, who married Arjuna in a thrilling chariot escape and became the mother of the brave Abhimanyu.
- Sanskrit/Telugu name: సుభద్ర
- Also known as: Subhadra Devi, Chitra
- Vehicle (vahana): Chariot (which she drove herself!)
- Symbols: Chariot reins, Jagannath triad
Story
Subhadra was the cherished younger sister of Balarama and Krishna, a princess of the Yadava clan in the golden city of Dwaraka. Balarama wanted her to marry his favorite student — Duryodhana! — but Krishna knew his sister's heart belonged to Arjuna, who had fallen in love with her while visiting Dwaraka disguised, in many tellings, as a wandering monk. So Krishna offered mischievous advice: rather than argue with Balarama, Arjuna should carry Subhadra away in a chariot, as heroes of old had done. And here is the best part — in many tellings, it was Subhadra who took the reins and drove the chariot herself, so no one could say she was taken against her will! Balarama was furious until Krishna calmly pointed out that their sister had clearly chosen her groom, and the wedding was celebrated grandly. Subhadra became the mother of Abhimanyu, one of the epic's brightest heroes, and after the war she helped raise her grandson Parikshit, the future king. She holds a rare honor in temple worship: at the great Jagannath temple in Puri, Subhadra stands on the main altar between her two brothers, riding her own chariot in the famous Ratha Yatra every year.
Fun fact
Subhadra is one of the only figures from the epics worshipped on a main temple altar today — the middle chariot in Puri's giant Ratha Yatra festival is hers.