Bhagavad Gita · Mahabharata Codex

Madri

माद्री · mādrī

Princess of Madra; second queen of Pandu; mother of Nakula and Sahadeva

She left her twins to Kunti and followed her husband into the fire.

Madri was the sister of Shalya, king of Madra. Kunti lent her the mantra once, and by calling the twin Ashvins she bore two sons from that single use. Pandu died in her arms when he forgot his curse. Blaming herself, she entrusted her boys to Kunti and joined him on the pyre. Her brother Shalya later fought, reluctantly, on the Kaurava side.