Krishna’s family tree, as told in the Mahabharata, the Harivamsa, and the Bhagavata Purana, centers on his parents Vasudeva and Devaki, his foster parents Nanda and Yashoda, his eight principal wives (including Rukmini and Satyabhama), and his sons, most notably Pradyumna. The exact number of children and some details vary between texts, but the core lineage is consistent across the major sources.
Parents and Foster Parents
Krishna was born to Vasudeva and Devaki, both of the Yadava clan, in the city of Mathura. Devaki was the cousin of the tyrant King Kamsa, who had been told that Devaki’s eighth son would kill him. To thwart the prophecy, Kamsa imprisoned the couple and killed their first six children. The seventh child, Balarama, was miraculously transferred to the womb of Rohini, Vasudeva’s other wife. The eighth child, Krishna, was smuggled across the Yamuna River to the village of Gokula and raised by the cowherd chief Nanda and his wife Yashoda. Thus Krishna grew up as the son of Nanda and Yashoda, who are often called his foster or adoptive parents.
Elder Brother and Sister
Krishna’s elder brother was Balarama (also called Baladeva or Sankarshana). Balarama was conceived by Devaki but carried by Rohini, making him Krishna’s full brother in essence and half-brother by birth mother. The Bhagavata Purana also mentions a sister, Subhadra, who was the daughter of Vasudeva and Rohini; she married Arjuna, the Pandava prince. Some regional traditions add a seventh child of Devaki, a girl named Yogamaya (or Ekanamsha), who was swapped with Krishna and survived Kamsa’s attempt to kill her.
Wives: The Eight Principal Queens
Krishna is traditionally said to have eight principal wives, known as the Ashta-Bharyas. The Bhagavata Purana and the Vishnu Purana list them as:
- Rukmini, princess of Vidarbha, whom Krishna married after she sent him a love letter; she is considered an incarnation of Lakshmi.
- Satyabhama, daughter of the Yadava noble Satrajit, who owned the Syamantaka jewel.
- Jambavati, daughter of the bear-king Jambavan, given to Krishna after he recovered the Syamantaka jewel.
- Kalindi, the river goddess Yamuna in human form.
- Mitravinda, princess of Avanti (also called Kaikeyi in some texts).
- Nagnajiti (or Satya), daughter of the king of Kosala, whom Krishna won in a svayamvara by wrestling seven bulls.
- Lakshmana, princess of Madra, also won in a svayamvara.
- Bhadra, daughter of the king of Kekeya.
In addition to these eight, Krishna married many other women, including the 16,100 women rescued from the demon Narakasura. The Mahabharata says he gave them all a home in Dwaraka, but they are not counted among the principal queens.
Children: Sons and Daughters
Krishna had many children. The Bhagavata Purana says each of his principal wives bore him ten sons, giving a total of eighty sons, but the text names only a few. The most prominent son is Pradyumna, born to Rukmini. Pradyumna is considered an incarnation of Kamadeva, the god of love, and he plays a role in the later Yadava conflict. Other named sons include:
- Charudeshna, also a son of Rukmini.
- Samba, son of Jambavati, who is often the cause of a curse that leads to the destruction of the Yadava dynasty.
- Bhanu, son of Satyabhama.
- Gada, son of Rohini (Balarama’s mother) – but some texts list Gada as a brother or cousin of Krishna, not a son.
Krishna’s daughters are less frequently named. The Harivamsa mentions a daughter named Bhadra, but that name is also used for one of his queens, so the texts are ambiguous. In general, the Puranas focus on the sons because they carry the dynasty.
Grandchildren and Descendants
Pradyumna married Rukmavati, the daughter of Rukmi (Rukmini’s brother), and their son was Aniruddha. Aniruddha is a major figure in the Bhagavata Purana: he was captured by the demon Bana, and Krishna and Pradyumna fought to rescue him. Aniruddha married Usha, Bana’s daughter. Their son was Vajra, who is mentioned in the Mahabharata as the only survivor of the Yadava massacre at Prabhasa. After the destruction of Dwaraka, Vajra was installed as a king by the Pandavas, continuing Krishna’s line.
Lineage and Clan
Krishna belonged to the Yadava clan, which traced its descent from Yadu, a son of King Yayati. The Yadavas were a powerful warrior clan, and Krishna’s father Vasudeva was the son of Shurasena, a king of the Shurasena dynasty. This lineage is detailed in the Vishnu Purana and the Bhagavata Purana. The clan’s internal feuds, particularly the rivalry between the families of Satyabhama and Jambavati over the Syamantaka jewel, eventually led to the curse that destroyed the entire Yadava race, as described in the Mausala Parva of the Mahabharata.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Krishna’s parents?
Krishna’s biological parents are Vasudeva and Devaki. His foster parents are Nanda and Yashoda, who raised him in Vrindavan. The Bhagavata Purana describes how Vasudeva carried the newborn Krishna across the Yamuna to Nanda’s home to protect him from Kamsa.
How many wives did Krishna have?
Krishna had eight principal wives, called the Ashta-Bharyas, but he also married 16,100 other women who were rescued from the demon Narakasura. The eight principal wives are Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Nagnajiti, Lakshmana, and Bhadra.
Who was Krishna’s favorite son?
Pradyumna, the son of Rukmini, is the most prominent and is often considered his favorite. Pradyumna is an incarnation of Kamadeva and is the father of Aniruddha. The Bhagavata Purana tells many stories of Pradyumna’s exploits, including his marriage to Rukmavati.
Did Krishna have any daughters?
The texts rarely name Krishna’s daughters. The Harivamsa mentions a daughter named Bhadra, but the name is also used for one of his queens, so it is unclear. The Puranas focus on sons because they continued the dynasty.
What happened to Krishna’s descendants?
Most of Krishna’s sons and grandsons died in the Yadava fratricidal war at Prabhasa, which was brought on by a curse. The only survivor was Vajra, the great-grandson of Krishna (son of Aniruddha). After the destruction of Dwaraka, Vajra was made a king by the Pandavas, according to the Mahabharata.
Related
- Kitchen God in Chinese Mythology: Role & Rituals
- Meili in Norse Mythology: The Silent God
- Mot in Canaanite Mythology: God of Death
How pages are sourced and corrected: Sources and editorial policy.