Lord Krishna’s palace in Dwarka was adorned with the presence of His several wives. Among them, eight were His chief wives or Ashta-Bharyas. They were Rukmini, Jambavati, Satyabhama, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Nagnajiti, Bhadra and Lakshmana. The remaining women belonged to a demon king named Naraka (Bhaumasur). He had held them captive until Lord Krishna killed him. When Krishna asked the women to return to their houses, they refused. “Please marry us, Lord Krishna! We cannot go back home now!” they cried. So, Krishna married them all at the same auspicious time assuming several forms. He did this so that they might gain the status of married women and live in the society with honour again. Lord Krishna constructed a palace with huge gardens for each of them. In fact, it was impossible to live with each of them. So, He created several forms of Himself so that He might treat them all in the same manner as His eight chief wives.
Lord Krishna’s Wives
