In Hindu mythology, Rohini (, ) was the first consort of Vasudeva
, and the mother of the Hindu deities Balarama and Subhadra. She plays a prominent role in the upbringing of Krishna.
Legend
Rohini is described as the daughter of the king Bahlika, making her a cousin of Bheeshma. She is married to Vasudeva, a descendant of Yadu, a Chandravamsha king. Her sister, Pauravi, was also married to Vasudeva.
Vasudeva also married Devaki, a princess of Mathura. The couple is imprisoned by Devaki's brother Kamsa, soon after their marriage. as a divine prophecy predicted Kans's death by Devaki's eighth son.
While Vasudeva is imprisoned, Rohini lives at the house of her husband's cousin Nanda, in Vraja. While all previous sons of Devaki are slain, the seventh embryo is transferred to Rohini's womb. Rohini gives birth to Balarama.
In the epic Mahabharata, after the death of Vasudeva after the Yadava massacre, Rohini cremates herself on Vasudeva's pyre along with his other wives Devaki, Bhadra, and Madira.
Mother of Balarama
Balarama is given the matronymic epithet Rauhineya, "son of Rohini". In the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Rohini is said to be an avatar of Kadru, mother of the serpents (naga); Balarama is considered an avatar of Vishnu's mount, Shesha.