According to Hindu mythology and scriptures, Lord Krishna, an incarnation of the god Vishnu, is said to have had 16,000 or 16,108 wives. These wives were not the result of romantic relationships but were rather captured women whom Krishna rescued from the demon Narakasura.
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The story goes that Narakasura, a powerful and wicked demon, had kidnapped thousands of women and imprisoned them in his palace. Upon learning about this, Krishna, along with his wife Satyabhama, mounted a rescue mission to save the captive women. Krishna fought with Narakasura and eventually defeated him, freeing the imprisoned women.
As a gesture of gratitude towards Krishna for saving their lives, the liberated women requested him to accept them as his wives. Krishna, known for his compassion and magnanimous nature, agreed to their request and married all of them. This act is seen as Krishna’s divine play and a symbol of his all-encompassing love and care for his devotees.
It is important to note that Krishna’s marriages were not meant to be understood in a human context. In Hindu mythology, gods and goddesses often have multiple spouses, and these marriages have deeper symbolic significance rather than being literal unions. Krishna’s marriages represent the idea that he loves and protects all beings and treats them as his own.
The exact number of Krishna’s wives varies in different versions of the scriptures, with some mentioning 16,000 wives while others stating 16,108 wives. Regardless of the exact number, the significance lies in the divine message conveyed through these marriages and Krishna’s unconditional love for all beings.
It’s important to approach Hindu mythology with an understanding of its metaphorical and symbolic nature. The stories convey deeper philosophical and spiritual teachings rather than historical or literal facts.