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Krishna’s Brothers and Sisters

Before Lord Krishna was the divine lover and cosmic dancer, he was just a regular kid with a really interesting family. Let's talk about the time his half-brother tried to plow the ocean...

Krishna

Krishna, the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva, is central to many Hindu scriptures, especially the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita. Devaki and Vasudeva were imprisoned by Kansa after a prophecy revealed that their eighth child would be his downfall. To save Krishna, Vasudeva carried him across the Yamuna River on a stormy night to Gokul, where he was raised by Nanda and Yashoda. Known for his mischievous childhood exploits, divine wisdom, and role in shaping the Kurukshetra war, Krishna’s life story is one of love, devotion, and cosmic duty.

Balarama

Balarama, the elder half-brother of Krishna, is often depicted as a symbol of strength and loyalty. He was born to Vasudeva and Rohini after Rohini was safely moved to Gokul to escape Kansa’s tyranny. Balarama is considered an incarnation of Sheshanaga, the divine serpent who serves as a resting place for Lord Vishnu, though in some traditions, he is revered as an avatar of Vishnu himself. Known for his prowess with the plow (his signature weapon), Balarama is a protector of dharma and played a significant role in Krishna’s early life, supporting him through numerous adventures, including the defeat of demons like Dhenukasura and Pralambasura.

Yogamaya

Yogamaya, the divine energy of illusion, played a pivotal role in safeguarding Krishna’s destiny. When Krishna was born, he was exchanged with Yogamaya, born to Yashoda and Nanda. When Kansa tried to kill this infant, she miraculously transformed into Goddess Durga, warning Kansa of his inevitable doom. Yogamaya represents the power of Maya (illusion), governing the cosmic balance and veiling divine truths from mortal comprehension. Her appearance signifies the protection of dharma and the divine orchestration of events in Krishna’s life.

Subhadra

Subhadra, Krishna's younger half-sister, was the daughter of Vasudeva and Rohini. She is often depicted as a gentle and compassionate figure in Hindu mythology. Subhadra's relationship with Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers, is a celebrated love story. With Krishna’s guidance, Arjuna eloped with Subhadra, uniting the Yadava and Kuru dynasties. She later became the mother of Abhimanyu, the courageous warrior of the Mahabharata war, whose valor and sacrifice are remembered as significant contributions to the Pandavas' victory.

Why do we swing Krishna in a jhula during Janmashtami?

This tradition is inspired by one of Krishna and Radha's favorite pastimes, where the divine lovers would sit together and sway on a swing, in the cool monsoon season.

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