Bhagavad Gita · Mahabharata Codex

Subhadra

सुभद्रा · subhadrā

Sister of Krishna; wife of Arjuna; mother of Abhimanyu

She drove the chariot at her own elopement.

Subhadra is the sister of Krishna and Balarama. Arjuna fell in love with her during a year of pilgrimage. Her elder brother Balarama had other plans for her, so Krishna quietly advised Arjuna to carry her off, as warrior custom allowed. She took the reins herself as they left Dvaraka. Their son was Abhimanyu, and through her grandson Parikshit the Kuru line survived the war.