Śaibyā, Queen of Kṛṣṇa

Śaibyā was one of the honoured queens of Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa, the Vāsudeva. She lived among his consorts in the city of Dvārakā. When Kṛṣṇa cast off his body and returned to his supreme abode, Śaibyā entered the funeral fire together with Rukmiṇī, Gāndhārī, Haimavatī and Jāmbavatī. In this way she followed her husband in the sacred act of sahagamana (going together with a husband in death).

Who she was

Śaibyā is named among the foremost wives of Kṛṣṇa who chose to follow him in death, and not to stay in a world without him.

Entry into the fire

Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma departed, and the Vṛṣṇis were destroyed. Arjuna then came to lead away the survivors and to crown Vajra. After that, Śaibyā entered the fire together with Rukmiṇī, Gāndhārī, Haimavatī and the devī Jāmbavatī. So she performed sahagamana and reached the realm of her husband. Other consorts of Kṛṣṇa, led by Satyabhāmā, went to the forest to do tapas (austerity).

Her act shows her pati-bhakti (devotion to her husband).

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Mausala Parva, Chapter 7