Bhadrā, Wife of Kṛshṇa

Bhadrā is one of the eight mahā-patnīs (chief wives) of Bhagavān Kṛshṇa. The Garuḍa Mahā Purāṇa remembers her mainly for a deep teaching she gave her father in an earlier birth.

Her earlier birth

In her pūrvajanma (previous birth) Bhadrā was the daughter of a householder named Nala. She lived a life of strong devotion to Bhagavān Vishṇu. Her teaching changed her own father, and she died in dhyāna (meditation).

In the Brahma Khaṇḍa she taught that the purpose of human birth is this: Hari’s name on the tongue, bowing of the body to Bhagavān Vishṇu, and walking around him in pradakshiṇa with the feet. Without these, she said, all pilgrimage, every tīrtha (holy place), every yajña (fire ritual) and all learning of the śāstras is useless. She said the first duty of every living being is to remember Hari, to honour him, to walk around him, to recite his names and to praise him at all times.

Her words turned her father from a worldly householder into a devotee of Hari. Together they spent the rest of that birth in meditation on Hari, and they passed away in that state.

Her next birth and marriage

In her next birth she was born as the daughter of Kṛshṇa’s mēnatta (aunt). Ṛshis who saw her good qualities named her Bhadrā. Bhagavān Kṛshṇa married her in a proper svayaṃvara (a marriage in which the bride chooses her husband).

Sources

• Garuḍa Mahā Purāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Chapter 20