Siblings Ties In Indian Mythology

Siblings Ties In Indian Mythology

#Sibling Trio

Mahabharata is primarily concerned with the enmity of two clans of cousins, but there is also mention of the affectionate sibling love between Subhadra, Krishna and Balaram. Subhadra was married to Arjun, the third Pandava brother, with the help of Krishna. It was also Krishna who helped the Pandavas win the battle of Kurukshetra against the Kauravas. Abhimanyu, the legendary warrior, was born from the union of Arjuna and Subhadra. He learnt the finest war tactics when still in his mother’s womb. The tri-deities are now worshipped as Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra in the Jagannath temple of Puri.

#Shiva’s Brother-in-law

There is a story of sibling love between Vishnu and Parvati. She was the reincarnation of Lord Shiva’s wife Sati, who had immolated herself. In her rebirth as Parvati, Shiva refused her marriage proposal. The goddess then took to severe austerities in order to purify her senses so that she could become eligible to marry Shiva. Vishnu asked her to tie a rakhi so that he could help her as a brother in removing all the obstacles. Later, Vishnu performed all the rituals as a brother at the celestial marriage of Shiva and Parvati, effectively making him Shiva’s brother-in-law.

#Fiery Twins

Draupadi and Dhristadyumna had emerged as twins to King Drupad from holy ceremonial fire. But it was the strong sense of sibling bond between Krishna and Draupadi that is more celebrated. The Mahabharata mentions how Krishna divinely saved Panchali from getting disrobed and saved her dignity in front of her husbands, who had lost her in a game of dice to their evil cousins.

#Immortal ‘Death’

According to Rig Veda, Yamuna (the river) and Yamraj (the Lord of death) are twins. It also mentions that the ritual of Raksha Bandhan had started after Yamuna tied a rakhi on the wrist of Yamraj to make him immortal.

#Ram’s Sister

Very few know that in Ramayan, Rama had a sister named Shanta. She was the first child of King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya. Shanta was a valorous woman, but Dasharatha wanted a son to be the heir to his throne. Following advises of astrologers, he got his daughter married to sage Rishyasringa. It was Rishyasringa who performed the Putrakameshti yajna and Rama was born along with his siblings.

#Evil Siblings

Raavana and Srupanakha are regarded as the evilest siblings of Ramayana, who were born to sage Vishrava and demon woman Kaikasi. Srupanakha approached Rama to marry her while he along with Sita and Lakshmana were in exile. After being rebuffed by Rama, she abused Sita. Enraged at this, Lakshmana cut off her nose. Enraged at his sister’s plight, Raavana abducted Sita to avenge the insult.

#Unike A Brother

Every sibling story is not filled with love and affection. The tale of Mathura King Kansa and Devaki is an immortal instance. When it was prophesied that Kansa will be killed by Devaki’s eighth child, he imprisoned her along with her husband, Vasudev, tortured them, and killed all their newborns. However, Krishna and Balarama were saved by divine intervention. Ultimately, true to the prophecy, Krishna killed his evil uncle.