Sahasranama position 58 of the 1,072 names

Subhadra

सुभद्रा

Subhadrā

What Subhadra means

Subhadra is name 58 in the Adya Mahakali Sahasranama, the 1,072-name devotional text to Maa Kali. The deeply auspicious and beautiful One, the gracious Mother who brings blessing and well-being.

Also spelled

  • Source transliteration: SUBHADRA

Sanskrit names travel into English in several romanizations. This page keeps the common spelling, the IAST form, and the source transliteration together so the same name is discoverable under each spelling readers use.

Meaning and elaboration

Meaning: The deeply auspicious and beautiful One, the gracious Mother who brings blessing and well-being.

Elaboration

Subhadra is formed from "Su," meaning "good," "auspicious," "excellent," or "beautiful," and "Bhadra," meaning "auspicious," "gracious," "blessed," or "propitious." The name therefore means "the exceedingly auspicious one," "the beautifully auspicious one," or "the supremely gracious one." It brings forward the Goddess in her most benevolent and blessing-bestowing aspect. Though Kali is often known in her fierce form, this name reminds us that even her fiercest actions ultimately serve the good.

Benevolence Personified As Subhadra, the Divine Mother appears as pure benevolence, compassion, and grace. She is the source of welfare, well-being, and auspicious blessings. Her nature is to bestow good fortune and to remove the suffering of her devotees.

Beauty of Inner Purity The "Su" in Subhadra also carries the sense of beauty. This is not a superficial beauty, but the radiance that arises from purity, truth, and divine compassion. It is the beauty of a being fully aligned with dharma and cosmic harmony, reflecting the hidden perfection of the divine order.

Grantor of Protection and Peace As the exceedingly auspicious one, Subhadra is invoked for protection, peace, and prosperity. She guards her devotees in adversity, calms disturbed minds, and grants inner contentment. Her presence establishes harmony and spiritual well-being, fulfilling the highest aspiration for a peaceful and virtuous life.

Text and sources

The name list follows the Adya Mahakali Sahasranama as compiled for this project. The English meaning and elaboration are interpretive notes for devotional study, not a translation of a single critical edition.

Read the editorial method and source notes →

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