Who was the wife of Lord Krishna?

Lord Krishna had multiple wives, but they can be categorized into two main groups: the eight principal wives, known as the Ashtabharya, and the additional 16,100 wives he married after rescuing them from a demon.

The Eight Principal Wives (Ashtabharya)

These wives are prominent in the stories and scriptures related to Lord Krishna:

1. Rukmini: Often considered the chief queen, Rukmini is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and is known for her deep devotion and love for Krishna. She eloped with Krishna to avoid marrying another prince arranged by her brother124.

2. Satyabhama: An incarnation of the earth goddess Bhudevi, Satyabhama is renowned for her strength, courage, and strong will. She played a crucial role in the battle against Narakasura124.

3. Jambavati: The daughter of Jambavan, the bear-king, Jambavati represents courage and victory. She was given to Krishna by her father after he realized Krishna's divine nature124.

4. Kalindi: The personification of the Yamuna River and daughter of the Sun god, Kalindi symbolizes purity and simplicity. She was married to Krishna after performing deep penance to fulfill her wish to marry Lord Vishnu124.

5. Mitravinda: Known for her love and willpower, Mitravinda was determined to marry Krishna against her family's wishes. She was the daughter of King Jayasena and is also Krishna's cousin124.

6. Nagnajiti (Satya): The daughter of King Nagnajit of Kosala, Nagnajiti was won by Krishna after he tamed seven wild bulls as per her father's condition124.

7. Bhadra: Representing pure love and devotion, Bhadra was married to Krishna with the consent of her mother, who wanted her daughter to be Krishna's wife124.

8. Lakshmana: Known for her beauty and virtues, Lakshmana was won by Krishna in a Swayamwar, where he demonstrated his archery skills124.

The Additional 16,100 Wives

These wives were rescued by Krishna from the demon Narakasura:

• Narakasura had captured 16,100 women from various kingdoms. After Krishna defeated him, these women were freed but chose to marry Krishna to restore their honor and societal status. Krishna accepted them as his wives and built separate palaces for each in Dwarka245.