Subhadra is a important character in the epic Mahabharata which Hindu legend ascribes to Vyasa. In the epic, she is the sister of Krishna and Balarama, wife of Arjuna, mother ofAbhimanyu and grandmother of Parikshit. She is the daughter of Vasudev and his first wife Rohini. Subhadra is known as Veera sodari, Veera Patni and Veera matha due to her relationship with Krishna, Arjuna and Abhimanyu respectively. Subhadra is one of the three deities worshipped at the Jagannath temple at Puri, along with Krishna and Balarama. One of the chariots in the annual Ratha Yatra is dedicated to her.
Marriage of Subhadra
Vyasa's Mahabharata, when Arjuna was in the midst of self-imposed pilgrimage, for breaking terms of the agreement he had with his brothers regarding private time with their common wife Draupadi. He reached the city ofDwarka and meets Krishna with whom he spends time. Later he attends a festival held at Raivata mountain alongside Krishna. Other Yadava women including Subhadra were also there to see the festival. After seeing Subhadra, Arjuna is smitten by her beauty and wishes to marry her. Arjuna met with Krishna at night seeking advice about Subhadra and what action to take, Krishna said he does not know what will be her decision in a swayamvara advised Arjuna to kidnap Subhadra stating "in the case of Kshatriyas that are brave, a forcible abduction is applauded as the learned have said" Thus Arjuna agrees to kidnap Subhadra. Mahabharata does not opine about Subhadra's consent. Later, Bhagawat Purana narrates about Balarama's picking of Duryodhan as Subhadra’s groom without taking her consent and also her reciprocation to feelings of Arjuna. Knowing that after getting the news of Subhadra's kidnap, Balarama would wage a war against Arjuna, Krishna decided he will be the charioteer for Arjuna. Arjuna Proceeds to kidnap Subhadra and with Krishna in tow they leave. After getting the news that Arjuna had kidnapped Subhadra and seeing Subhadra stowed on the chariot, Balarama and other Yadavas are angered by this and decide to pursue Arjuna who successfully held them off. After escaping Krishna returned and dissuaded them. Finally, Balarama consents and conduct the marriage of Subhadra with Arjuna in Dwarka.
Worship
believe Subhadra to be a goddess named Yogmaya. Subhadra is one of the three deities worshipped at the Jagannath temple at Puri, along with Krishna and Balarama. One of the chariots in the annual Ratha Yatra is dedicated to her. Apart from it she is also believed to be worshipped by certain communities in Odisha, West Bengal and Gujarat.*
