Abstract
Subhadra is the sister of Krishna and Balarama, with whom she is worshipped in classical India as Goddess Ekanamsa/Subhadra. Three narrative elements form an important part of her story in the Mahabharata and the other Puranas. Story of Subhadra, the multi-faceted feminine divine of India is preserved in the Harivamsa and the Mahabharata in addition to brief narration in the Jain texts, which are examined in this chapter. As a wife of Arjuna, mother of Aniruddha, she is an important link between the families of Yadavas and Pandavas and the subsequent history of Mathura and Hastinapura. Her journeys are symbolic of the feminine divine as well as feminine heroic.
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Notes
- 1.
The following translations of the Mahabharata are cited in this chapter. Translation of the Vulgate text of the Mahabharata refers to Ganguli Kisari Mohan/P.C. Roy. 2004 [1883–1896]. Mahabharata. Vol. 1–4. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal. References to this text of the Mahabharata are cited as Mahabharata. Translation of the Critical Edition of the Mahabharata refers to the Van Buitenen. J. A. B. 1973–1978. Mahabharata (Mbh). Vol. 1–3. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. References to this text of the Mahabharata are abbreviated as Mbh.
- 2.
Interpreting each appearance of the word maya as a representation of the Goddess has led to some problematic interpretations of her nature. However, the Harivamsa and the Mahabharata descriptions help one understand the concept of the Goddess in abstract form as subconscious energy that is activated when one is asleep. Purana stories only provide a partial understanding of the Goddess Nidra/Maya (Yogamaya ). It is important to use diverse resources including Tantra and Yoga texts to understand the true nature of this multi-faceted Goddess. The subject of Maya and Nidra is extensive, hence, does not allow for detailed discussion here. Therefore, I undertake a detailed study of the subject in my paper, “Maya and Nidra, the absolute and abstract forms of the Goddess,” which is currently under preparation.
- 3.
The Harivamsa is considered a part of the Mahabharata, known as Khila of the Mahabharata. Harivamsa incorporates the information that could not be incorporated into the central theme of the Mahabharata. Hence, it contains the stories of the childhood of Krishna, Balarama, and numerous other stories including the incarnations of Vishnu.
- 4.
Ilango Adigal is a Chera prince, brother of Chera ruler Senguttavan, although evidence of such connection is lacking. Although the story of Silappadigaram is dated between fifth century and sixth century CE it contains the story of Kannagi Amman, whose worship is traced to this book. This text also contains isolated references of other religious practices. Silappadigaram is the story of love, passion, and betrayal. Kannagi and Kovalan are a married couple. Troubles begin as Kovalan fall in love with Madhavi, a courtesan betraying Kannagi, which takes many twists and turns leading to establishing the feminine divine Kannagi through her stop** the sunset.
- 5.
The Silappadikaram. Translation with introduction and notes by R. Ramachandra Dikshitar. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1939.
- 6.
- 7.
Revataka mountain is generally known by its common name Girnar (Girinagara), located in Gujarat state, which is a popular pilgrim and tourist destination of India, especially for history and religion scholars and enthusiasts. This mountain is known as one of the most sacred mountains of India from classical texts of India including the Mahabharata noted here. The mountain has Hindu and Jain temples. The mountain is also dotted with inscriptions of numerous rulers of India, including Ashoka (260–230 BCE), Rudradaman (130–150 CE), Skanda Gupta (fourth-century CE).
- 8.
Arjuna was exiled for breaking the vow of not entering the private quarters of Draupadi, while she is spending her time with one of the brothers according to the turn. As the wife of the five brothers, they laid down rules of cohabitation. Draupadi spends time with one of the brothers each month and others are forbidden to enter her quarters. Arjuna had entered the quarters out of necessity since he had to fetch his bow to help a poor brahman save his cow.
- 9.
Telugu film industry produced a number of movies (Sashirekha Parinayam (1936) Mayabazar (1957)) based on this theme of Subhadra’s life in Dwaraka, and her son Abhimanyu falling in love with Balarama’s daughter Sashirekha even though such story is missing from the Mahabharata. However, the Mahabharata includes the story of Abhimanyu’s marriage to Uttara at the initiative of Arjuna.
- 10.
Aswatthama, son of Drona, was not present at the Mahabharata war. However, upon his return, he was enraged at the death of his father, which was accomplished by the Pandavas under the ruse of his death uttered by Dharmaraja. Even though Dharmaraja meant that to indicate the death of a horse named Aswatthama rather than the son of Drona. Hearing the utterance of Dharma in the middle of the war pushed Drona deep into sorrow, so as to drop his weapons and be killed by Drishtadyumna. Therefore, Aswatthama undertook a night-raid vowing to kill all the offspring of the Pandavas. Ganguli, Kisari Mohan/P.C. Roy. 2004 [1883–1896] Mahabharata. Book 10. Sauptikaparva. Section 9. Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal.
- 11.
It was found out that the embryo might have been affected. Krishna was invited to save the child. Krishna rescued the child with his touch.
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Vemsani, L. (2021). Subhadra: Self-sacrifice to Protection and Prosperity. In: Feminine Journeys of the Mahabharata. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73165-6_8
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