Bhadra was the wife of a wealthy merchant named Gobhadra in Rajgruhi. They had a son named Shalibhadra and a daughter named Subhadra. Shalibhadra enjoyed great riches thanks to his mother's business skills and his father's divine assistance. He was married to 32 virtuous and beautiful young women.
Once, a merchant from Nepal brought jewel-studded blankets to Rajgruhi, but King Shrenik couldn't afford them. To save the city's pride, Bhadramata bought sixteen of these precious blankets, cut them into pieces, and gave them to her 32 daughters-in-law. These special blankets were designed to provide warmth in winter and coolness in summer, but they were found too rough and were used as doormats.
When King Shrenik came searching for the blankets, Shalibhadra realized his dependence on the king. This realization led him to consider the path of renunciation. Upon Bhagwan Mahavir's arrival in Rajgruhi, Shalibhadra and his brother-in-law Dhanya Sheth decided to embrace monkhood. Bhadramata and Shalibhadra's wives also embraced a disciplined and religious life.
Bhadramata was eager to see Bhagwan Mahavir, but in her haste, she failed to recognize Shalibhadra, who came to her seeking alms. She left without acknowledging the monks at her door, including her own son. After being offered curd by a milkmaid, Shalibhadra broke his fast. Later, with Bhagwan Mahavir's permission, he undertook the ritual death by fasting known as sallekhana on a mountain near Rajgruhi.
Bhagwan Mahavir recounted the incidents involving Shalibhadra to Bhadramata and her family during his assembly. Bhadramata was deeply shocked and remorseful upon learning the truth. Realizing her mistake in ignoring the monks who had come to her door – including her son Shalibhadra and son-in-law Dhanya Sheth – she ran to the mountain to see her weakened son.
Her sight of Shalibhadra's extreme frailty moved her to unconsciousness. King Shrenik consoled her, and witnessing her son's state, Bhadramata renounced everything and, along with her daughters-in-law, embraced the path of penance.
