# Vṛndāvana Family Tree
> [!summary]
> *The eternal relationships of Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana: His foster parents Nanda and Yaśodā, His elder brother Balarāma, and His beloved Rādhārāṇī with Her family and the eight principal gopīs. This chart maps the key personalities in Kṛṣṇa's Vṛndāvana pastimes.*
The eternal relationships of Krishna in Vrindavan.
```
NANDA'S FAMILY RADHA'S FAMILY
Parjanya ─── Variyasi Vrishabhanu ─── Kirtida
│ │ │
┌────────┼────────┬────────┐ ┌─────┴─────┐ Mukhara
│ │ │ │ │ │ │ (grandmother)
Upananda Sunanda Abhinanda Nanda ─── Yashoda Radha Sridama Ananga
│ │ Manjari
┌────┴────┐ │
Rohini │ │
│ │ │
Balarama ─ KRISHNA ─────────── RADHARANI
│ │
Bhadrasena Subala, Sridama, Sudama,
(friend) Madhumangala, Stoka Krishna
(sakhas/friends)
RADHA'S SAKHIS (8 FRIENDS)
Lalita · Vishakha · Champakalata · Chitra
Tungavidya · Indulekha · Rangadevi · Sudevi
```
---
## Nanda's Family
| Name | Relationship | Description |
|------|--------------|-------------|
| Parjanya | Grandfather | Nanda's father |
| Variyasi | Grandmother | Nanda's mother |
| Nanda Maharaja | Foster father | King of Vraja |
| Yashoda | Foster mother | Queen of Vraja |
| Upananda | Uncle | Nanda's elder brother, advised move to Vrindavan |
| Sunanda | Uncle | Nanda's brother |
| Abhinanda | Uncle | Nanda's brother |
| Rohini | — | Balarama's mother, lived with Nanda's family |
| Balarama | Elder brother | Son of Rohini, Krishna's brother |
---
## Radha's Family
| Name | Relationship | Description |
|------|--------------|-------------|
| Vrishabhanu | Father | King, found Radha in a lotus |
| Kirtida | Mother | Queen of Barsana |
| Mukhara | Grandmother | Kirtida's mother |
| Sridama | Brother | Radha's brother |
| Ananga Manjari | Sister | Radha's younger sister |
### Parakiya Characters
| Name | Role |
|------|------|
| Jatila | Radha's "mother-in-law" |
| Abhimanyu | Radha's so-called husband (shadow) |
| Kutila | Abhimanyu's sister |
---
## Ashta Sakhis (8 Principal Gopis)
The intimate friends of [[wiki/articles/the-gopis-of-vrindavana|Srimati Radharani]]:
| Sakhi | Quality |
|-------|---------|
| Lalita | Group leader, bold |
| Vishakha | Expert singer, born same day as Radha |
| Champakalata | Witty speech |
| Chitra | Artistic |
| Tungavidya | Expert in 64 arts |
| Indulekha | Knows omens |
| Rangadevi | Expert cook |
| Sudevi | Gentle and sweet |
### Chandravali's Group (Rivals)
- Chandravali — leader of *vipaksha* gopis
- Padma
- Saibya
---
## Sakhas (Cowherd Friends)
| Sakha | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| Subala | Most intimate friend |
| Sridama | Leader of friends |
| Sudama | Close friend |
| Vasudama | Companion |
| Stoka Krishna | Dear friend |
| Arjuna | Priyanarma friend (not Pandava) |
| Madhumangala | Brahmana friend, loves laddus |
| Bhadrasena | Balarama's friend |
---
## Special Personalities
- **Paurnamasi** — Yogamaya, arranges all pastimes in Vrindavan
---
## Beloved Cows
| Cow | Meaning |
|-----|---------|
| Padmagandha | Lotus-scented, Krishna's favorite |
| Shyamali | Dark blue |
| Dhavalika | White |
---
## Related Articles
- [[wiki/articles/mother-yasoda-and-krsna|Mother Yaśodā and Kṛṣṇa]] — Krishna's pastimes with His mother
- [[wiki/articles/the-gopis-of-vrindavana|The gopīs of Vṛndāvana]] — Krishna's devotee friends
- [[wiki/articles/the-glories-of-vrindavana|The glories of Vṛndāvana]] — The holy dhama
- [[wiki/articles/devaki-and-vasudeva|Devakī and Vasudeva]] — Krishna's parents in Mathura
## From the Index
- [[index/entries/vrindavan|Vṛndāvana]] — The supreme dhama
- [[index/entries/gopis|Gopīs]] — The cowherd girls
- [[index/entries/cowherd-boys|Cowherd Boys]] — Krishna's friends
- [[index/entries/nanda-maharaja|Nanda Mahārāja]] — Krishna's foster father
- [[index/entries/yasoda|Yaśodā]] — Krishna's mother