The Marriages of Krishna
Rukmini
Rukmini, princess of Vidarbha, loved Krishna. Her
brother Rukmi wanted her to marry Sisupala, but she sent a message to Krishna.
He came on her wedding day, took her away in his chariot, and later defeated
Rukmi. They had a son named Pradyumna.
Jambavati
Krishna also married Jambavati after defeating her
father, Jambavan, in a battle over the Syamantaka gem.
Satyabhama
Satyabhama became his wife when her father Satrajit
gave her to Krishna in return for the gem.
Kalindi
Kalindi, a river goddess, wished to marry only
Krishna. He met her with Arjuna and accepted her.
Mitravinda
Mitravinda chose Krishna at her svayamvara, and he
carried her away.
Satya
Krishna won Satya by taming seven strong bulls, a
challenge set by her father.
Kaikeyi (Bhadra)
Kaikeyi (Bhadra), Krishna’s cousin, also became his
wife.
Lakshmana
Krishna married Lakshmana, another princess who
chose him as her husband during her svayamvara.
He later defeated the demon Narakasura and rescued
16,000 women. To protect their honour, he married all of them and built a
palace for each.
In total, Krishna had 16,008 wives—his eight chief
queens (Rukmini, Jambavati, Satyabhama, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Satya, Bhadra, and
Lakshmana) and the 16,000 rescued women.
Here's a
list of short sources from Sanskrit literature, especially Mahabharata,
Bhagavata Purana, Harivamsa, and other Puranas, where the stories
of Krishna's marriages are found:
1. Rukmini
- Bhagavata Purana (Srimad
Bhagavatam), Canto 10, Chapters 52–54
- Harivamsa Parva, Vishnu Parva, Chapter 85
onwards
2. Jambavati
- Bhagavata Purana, Canto 10,
Chapter 56
- Story of Syamantaka gem;
fight with Jambavan
3. Satyabhama
- Bhagavata Purana, Canto 10,
Chapter 56–57
- Given to Krishna by her
father Satrajit after returning the Syamantaka gem
4. Kalindi
- Bhagavata Purana, Canto 10,
Chapter 58
- Found near Yamuna by Krishna
and Arjuna
5. Mitravinda
- Bhagavata Purana, Canto 10,
Chapter 58
- Krishna carries her away
from svayamvara
6. Satya (Nagnajiti)
- Bhagavata Purana, Canto 10,
Chapter 58
- Krishna tames seven bulls to
marry her
7. Bhadra (Kaikeyi)
- Bhagavata Purana, Canto 10,
Chapter 58
- Daughter of Srutakirti,
Krishna’s paternal aunt
8. Lakshmana (or Lakshana)
- Bhagavata Purana, Canto 10,
Chapter 58
- Chose Krishna in her
svayamvara
9. 16,000 Women from Narakasura’s Palace
- Bhagavata Purana, Canto 10,
Chapter 59
- Vishnu Purana, Book 5,
Chapter 29
- Krishna defeats Narakasura
and marries the rescued women
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Krishna’s marriage alliances helped strengthen Dwaraka’s political support. The history and mythology surrounding it are truly fascinating. Your effort in documenting the references is appreciated.
ReplyDeleteAll the best.
Thank for reading the blogpost
DeleteWow ! I had heard about Krishna's thousands of wives but this was a revelation and its fascinating that he did it out of love and respect for all of them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading the blogpost.
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