Bhadrā, Wife of Vasudeva

Bhadrā was one of the honoured wives of Vasudeva, the father of Bhagavān Kṛshṇa and Balarāma, at Dvārakā. When Vasudeva gave up his body in yoga after his sons had departed, Bhadrā climbed on his funeral pyre together with Devakī, Rohiṇī and Madirā. This act is called sahagamana (a wife going with her husband in death). She did it to follow her husband to his world.

Which Bhadrā

This Bhadrā is a wife of Vasudeva who went up on his pyre. She is to be told apart from any Bhadrā counted among the queens of Kṛshṇa. In the Mausala Parva, the queens of Kṛshṇa who enter the fire are named as Rukmiṇī, Gāndhārī, Śaibyā, Haimavatī and Jāmbavatī. Bhadrā is named here among the four wives of Vasudeva (Mausala Parva, Chapter 7).

Sahagamana on the pyre

Kṛshṇa had gone up to his supreme abode, and Balarāma had entered the sea. Vasudeva, who is also called Ānakadundubhi, was overcome with grief for his sons. He fixed his mind in yoga and gave up his life.

Arjuna honoured his body with the rites of the pitṛmedha (the funeral rites for the departed) as it was carried out. The four excellent wives of Vasudeva wished to reach the world of their husband, and they went up on the blazing pyre. Bhadrā, together with Devakī, Rohiṇī and Madirā, entered the flames in sahagamana (Mausala Parva, Chapter 7).

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Mausala Parva, Chapter 7