Mythological Blog.

The reality of Radha,Krishna and also the Ashtabharyas-Wife's of Krishna.

We all know that 'Shrimati Radharani' who was avatar of Goddess Lakshmi was the lover of Lord Krishn.Both Radha and Krishn loved each other from childhood,but due to the curse of Sridhama they were sepreated.

We know that Radha and Krishna are popularly considered to be childhood lovers but in reality Radha was also his wife. Brahma got them secretly married with the help of Lalita and Vishakha in a forest named Bhandirvan which has a temple as a proof of their wedding. There is a wrong myth that she married Abhimanyu, also known as Ayan, but actually it was Radha's shadow who married Abhimanyu. After some days, he also married Lalita and Vishakha,the gopis of Barsana. In television drama Ayan is showed to be married only with Radha,but in reality according to a legend he also married  the other gopis - Lalita, Vishakha, Sudevi, Rangadevi, Chitra, Tungavidya, Indulekha, Champaklata, Rupamanjari, Ratimanjari, Labangamanjari, Rasamanjari, Manjumali, Kasturika, Anuradha and Chandravali.

Many people claim Radha to be reborn as Meera, while some others claim her to be a rebirth of Lalita or Vishakha. But it is more logical to see her as an incarnation of Radha's shadow who married Ayan, while Ayan can be considered to be reborn as Bhojraj, the spouse of Meera. Meera too faced conspiracies from her in-laws like Radha's shadow. On the other hand, she had a sullen marriage with Bhojraj like what Radha's shadow had with Ayan. But at the same time, in both the marriages, we don't see violent cases like marital rape or domestic violence. Also because they were incarnations of Vishnu as they had to help Krishna in his leela, while Meera and Radha's shadow were a combined incarnation of Lakshmi and Saraswati. Ayan was shy to approach Radha's shadow while Bhojraj supported Meera's love for Krishna.

But if we go by Meera Charit, Meera is the rebirth of Madhavi Gopi. So let's safely conclude her as Madhavi Gopi.

In order to kill Kansa, Krishna had to leave Vrindavan and go to Mathura. After killing Kansa, Krishna was crowned. But due to safety reasons, Krishna shifted his capital to Dwarka and later married Rukmini, the princess of Vidarbha after saving her from Shishupal.

Krishna married Satyabhama along with Jambavati,Satyabhama was talented at warfare and accompanied Krishna at his war with Narakasur. Krishna pretended to be injured as a result of which Satyabhama got angry and killed Narakasur. In this way Satyabhama too was dedicated to Krishna.

As we know that Krishna in his previous birth was Ram, Rukmini in her previous birth was Sita. Ram had promised Sita to have only one wife. As a result he had to reject many proposals by the women who loved him.

 Chitralekha, also known as Chitrasena, who helped Ram in killing Ahiravan. She wanted to marry Vishnu and thus, decided to marry Ram. But Ram promised her to marry her in her next birth as a result of which she was reborn as Satyabhama. According to another tale, during Ashwamedh Yagya, Ram created a statue of Sita, as he vowed not to marry another woman. That statue came to life. As she was made of materials of Bhumi, she was a rebirth of Chitrasena and wanted Ram again. But Ram said that in his birth as Krishna he will make her his prominent queen so she was born as Satyabhama. (This story too can be ignored as authentic texts don't mention this story. I consider Radha, Rukmini and Satyabhama as Sita)

In one incident, Hanuman, a staunch devotee of Ram and Sita, wanted to meet them. Krishna called him to meet him in Dwarka. Krishna told Rukmini that he would dress as Ram while she would dress as Sita. When Hanuman reached Dwarka, he felt elated seeing Krishna and Rukmini as Ram and Sita.

The Tulabharam is an incident in the life of Rukmini reveals the extent to which humble devotion is worth more than material wealth. Satyabhama had pride about the love Krishna had for her and her grasp over his heart. Rukmini, on the other hand was a devoted wife, humble in her service of her husband. Her devotion was her real inner beauty. On one occasion, sage Narada arrived in Dwaraka and in the course of conversation hinted to Satyabhama that the love that Krishna exhibits towards her is not all that real and in fact it is Rukmini who has real control over his heart. Unable to bear this, Satyabhama challenges Narada to prove it. Narada, with his way with words, tricked her into accepting a Vrata (ritual) where she has to give Krishna away in charity to Narada and reclaim him by giving the weight of Krishna in wealth. Narada lured her into accepting this vrata by telling her that Krishna's love to her will increase many folds if she succeeded in performing the Tulabharam. He also instigated her ego by hinting that her wealth may not be sufficient to equal the weight of Krishna. With Satyabhama's ego duly raised, she told Narada that she could mobilize so much wealth that it was a child's play for her to outweigh Krishna. Narada warned her that if she is not able to do this, Krishna would become his slave to be done with as he pleases.

Mata Satyabhama's ego is not real. Because she is a goddess who is pretending to be arrogant to give us life lessons.

The scene was soon set for the vrata. Satyabhama gave Krishna away in charity in spite of the other wives' pleadings. Krishna, always the mischievous cowherd, meekly submitted to the drama. After donating Krishna to Narada, Satyabhama arranged for a big scale to be put up and sent with all assurance for her huge treasure of gold and jewelry. All that she had was soon put on the scale, but it didn'tbbudge. Narada started taunting her and threatened her that if she couldn't put enough gold or diamonds, he would be forced to auction Krishna as a slave to someone else. Satyabhama, in frantic panic, swallowed her pride and begged all the other wives to give their jewels. They agree out of love for Krishna but alas, it was of no use.

Krishna remained a mute witness to all this drama and rubbed salt into the open wounds of Satyabhama's ego that the king of Dwarka would become a slave to some rishi and will have to suffer the separation from his dear wife. Narada suggested to Satyabhama that Rukmini may be able to get her out of the predicament. She finally swallowed her pride and appealed to the devoted wife of Krishna. Rukmini came and with a prayer to her husband had put a single leaf of the sacred Tulasi on the scale (tula). The scales then became all at once so heavy that even after removing all the jewels, the scales were weighed down on the side of the Tulasi leaf. Satyabhama realised her mistake and asked Rukmini for forgiveness.

While there are different versions in different texts as to why the weighing was arranged, the story of the Tulasi leaf placed by Rukmini being worth more in weight than that of Satyabhama's wealth is a common ending. This story is often repeated to enunciate the significance of Tulsi and how a humble offering to God is greater than any material wealth. This incident also shows that though Satyabhama would make mistakes, she would learn from her mistakes too. Though she was arrogant and possessive, we cannot call her a 'villain' because she was chaste and devoted to Krishna.

Shri krishna during  tulabharam

But if you read the Bhagwatam, Satyabhama is described as a 'broad-minded' lady which indicates that she didn't boast about her beauty or wealth and was not a jealous woman. So it is up to you whether to accept the story of her 'arrogance' or not. She is no ordinary woman. These stories might have occurred to teach us important lessons. The arrogance is not real. Treat her like your teacher. On being reborn as Andal, she has a joyous and passionate reunion with Krishna as Venkateshwar. She writes the 'Thiruppavai' imagining herself as a gopi. There is no difference between Andal and Satyabhama.

Krishna had fought and defeated Devraj Indra in order to get the Praijata tree at the request of Devi Satyabhama. It was their leela to break the pride of Devraj Indra and Swargashri Sachi , she was not desirous of obtaining it. This fact is mentioned in Vishnu Puran.

When Bhagwan Sri Krishna went to Indraloka for returning the earrings of Mata Aditi, Devi Satyabhama also accompanied him. When they went to a stroll in Indraloka, Devi Satyabhama saw the Parijata and asked Bhagwan Sri Krishna to take away that to her garden in Dwaraka.

Hearing this Sachi infuriated Indra to fight with Hari in defence of parijatha tree.  Indra got defeated.

Devraj Indra then apologised for all that had happened. He also admitted that there is no shame in losing to Bhagwan Sri Krishna who is none other than the Supreme God Narayan , who had descended on earth for the good of the world. Bhagwan Sri Krishna smiled and returned the parijata tree as well as Indra’s vajra ayudha. But Devraj Indra refused to take the tree back saying the parijatha tree shall remain upon earth as long as Bhagwan Sri Krishna resides in the world of mortals.Indra lost the battle, but not before cursing that the plant would never bear fruits, though it might bear flowers, and since then the Parijat tree does not bear any fruit. 

Once the tree arrived in Dwarka, Rukmini too took fancy to it because of its flowers. Now, she insisted that she too wanted the flowers. This led to a dilemma for Krishna. He couldn’t decide which of his two wives should he favour.

So Krishna planted the tree in such a manner that though it grew in Satyabhama’s house, its flowers they would in Rukmini’s courtyard.

Satyabhama had asked for the tree and she got it. Rukmini wanted the flowers. She too got what her heart desired.

While this is an interesting fable about how Krishna resolved his personal crisis and divided the tree between his two wives, the flower itself has an interesting, though a trifle sad, the myth of its own.

There is a myth about  another incident it is Radha who explains Rukmini what true love is. One day she paid a visit to Dwarka. The night before her departure Rukmini brought Radha some hot milk to help her sleep.  She warned Radha the milk was very hot.  Radha was in her own little world immersed in Krishna and did not pay attention.  She gulped down the milk.  There were no ill effects.  Radha was not hurt.  Upon leaving Radha, Rukmini went to Krishna's chamber to get her husband's blessing for the night.  She found Krishna sitting up clutching his throat.  He was so one with Radha he felt the effects of the scalded milk and protected her from injury. 

It was then that Krishna explained to Rukmini that he and Radha lived in heart of one another.  There was no place where Krishna was and Radha was not.  There was no place where Radha was and Krishna was not.  It took this visit for Radha to realize Krishna never left her.  Radha's visit taught Krishna's wives to what submission and surrender truly was.

According to another legend Krishna pretended to be sick. Narada joined the trick and told his wives only the feet's dust mixed with water would cure him. Rukmini, Satyabhama and the other queens were afraid to offer their feet's dust. It was Radha and the gopis who offered their feet's dust and this cured Krishna. The queens bowed to Radha and the gopis. This is the reason why Radha is worshipped most with Krishna.

Also to mention that Radha endured separation with Krishna for three yugas - In Satyug and Dwapar Yug as Vedavati and in Dwapar yug as Radha. That's why she is worshipped most with Krishna.Now people say that Rukmini was jealous of Radha. No. She was inquisitive about her greatness. She just wanted to know why she was special to Krishna. Had she been jealous of Radha, then Satyabhama would have been her foe forever. But the stories of Rukmini meeting Radha are doubtful as Kalindi, one of the principal queens of Dwarka, was a witness to Radha and Krishna's love. 

We all know that Krishna is an incarnation of Vishnu so logically his wives must be a form of Lakshmi. Rukmini was a form of Shridevi. Satyabhama, Vratini and Prasvapini were forms of Bhudevi (Bhoomidevi). Radha) and/or Nappinnai), Jambavati, Mitravinda, Bhadra, Lakshana and Satya were forms of Niladevi (Leeladevi). On the other hand the gopis (except Radha or/and Nappinnai) were a form of Tulasi, Rohini was Ganga while Kalindi was Yamuna.

Now lets compare Krishna's equation with his consorts with Shiva's equation with his consorts. The way Durga is the power of Shiva, in the same way Radha is the power of Krishna. The way Parvati breaks all hurdles in marrying Shiva, in the same way Rukmini breaks all hurdles in marrying Krishna. Like Parvati, Rukmini is an ideal wife and ideal mother. The way Shiva calms Kali, in the same way Krishna calms Satyabhama (and sometimes Radha). Like Durga, Kali and Tara, Satyabhama is the slayer of evil. Like Kali dances with Shiva, Krishna dances with Radha. Like Tara protects Shiva, Radha and Satyabhama always protect Krishna. Like Annapurna, Rukmini is giving and kind. So just the way Durga, Parvati, Kali, Tara, Annapurna, etc. are one - Shakti, in the same way Radha, Rukmini, Satyabhama, etc. are one - Madhavi.

Now some people doubt that Rukmini was an incarnation of Lakshmi and spread negativity against her as people of Swastik Productions are doing this and degrading her character in a serial. I ask if Rukmini wouldn't have been an incarnation of Lakshmi, how could Pradyumna be born through her womb as he is an incarnation of Kamdev, son of Lakshmi and Vishnu? We all know that Shiva told Rati after burning Kama to ashes that his soul still exists and he will regain his body after being born as Pradyumna. We also know Kama is the son of Vishnu and Lakshmi. If Rukmini wouldn't have been Lakshmi, how could she make Sudama rich and Vasundhara beautiful when Sudama came to visit Krishna? How could Hanuman see Sita in her if she wasn't Lakshmi? Since Hanuman is the greatest devotee of Ram and Sita, he has made no mistake in identifying Krishna and Rukmini as Ram and Sita. Also Rukmini resides as Lakshmi in a temple close to Dwarka (one of the 4 Dhaam) while in another Dhaam of Jagganath, a marriage festival of Jagannath and Mahalakshmi in the form of Rukmini is conducted. Now is this fake? If this is fake then our 4 Dhaam are fake for you.

As I've mentioned that Rukmini is a rebirth of Sita, I'll also prove that Sita is Shridevi. In the Hanuman Chalisa, Ram is called 'Shripati' and we know that Ram's only wife is Sita. This means that Sita is Shridevi. Also in the Mahabharata, Ved Vyas has authenticated that Rukmini is Shridevi.

Goddess Lakshmi is forever united with the Lord. With Rama, Sri becomes Sita, when He is Krishna, she is Rukmini. In all the expansions of Narayan, Sri is inseparable from Narayana. 

Now let's examine some traits. Niladevi represents the simplicity of Vishnu. Bhudevi represents the prowess of Vishnu. Shridevi represents the grandeur of Vishnu. When Krishna is with Radha, he is a simple cowherd boy, so she is Niladevi. Also Niladevi is referred to as an eternally young lady (Ananta Mangai) and a lady with endless magnanimity and beauty (Roopa Audharya Sampannaou). These are exhibited by Radha which further proves her as Niladevi. When Krishna is with Satyabhama, he is a warrior, so she is Bhudevi. When Krishna is with Rukmini, he is a king, so she is Shridevi. 

All Radha, Rukmini, Satyabhama and other mentioned Lakshmi incarnations have all Shridevi, Bhudevi and Niladevi in them. It is just that Shridevi is dominant in Rukmini, Bhudevi in Satyabhama and Niladevi in Radha.

 (Note : All Shridevi, Bhudevi and Niladevi are present in Radha, Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Mitravinda, Bhadra, Lakshmana and Satya. Its just that Shridevi is more active in Rukmini, Bhudevi in Satyabhama, Niladevi in Radha and others) 

According to a myth Shishupal was the rebirth of the mighty king Ravan.

Coincidentally Sita has all the qualities of Shridevi, Bhudevi and Niladevi. Sita is Ram's queen, hence she is representing his grandeur. She represents his prowess as she is the reason for the death of Ravana. She represents his simplicity as she accompanies him in the forests. That's why we can see Sita in Radha, Satyabhama and other chief queens.

We must be knowing thand then destroyed.

at different kalpas emerge in the cycle of creation, preservation and destruction. With the destruction of one kalpa, a new kalpa is created and preserved 

In one kalpa, Sita was all Radha, Rukmini and Satyabhama who are Niladevi, Shridevi and Bhudevi respectively. (Radha and Satyabhama were not Saraswati in that kalpa). In that kalpa, there was no presence of Chaya Sita or Murati Sita, etc.

In another kalpa, Shridevi was Sita who was reborn as Rukmini, Niladevi was Chaya Sita urf Vedavati who was reborn as Radha and Bhudevi was Chitrasena and Murati Sita who were reborn as Satyabhama

We can also use another theory where Vedavati and Chitrasena merge with the Shri form of Sita in Saketlok and that unified Sita comes as Radha, Rukmini and Satyabhama.

So frankly there are three Sitas:

Ram-patni Sita = Rukmini

Chaya Sita = Radha

Murati Sita = Satyabhama

But since the stories of Radha being Vedavati and Chaya Sita and Satyabhama being Chitrasena and Murati Sita are considered folklores, you can consider Radha and Satyabhama also as the rebirth of Sita. But whether they were Janaki or not, they were Sita of Saketlok for sure as that Sita comes as Janaki, Vedavati and Chitrasena.

As per Sita Upanishad, Sita is all Shridevi, Bhudevi and Niladevi. So all Radha, Rukmini and Satyabhama are Sita. 

As per another version. The Sita who married Ram was all Radha, Rukmini and Satyabhama. During the kidnap of Ravana, Sita separated herself from her Nila shakti and that Chaya Sita got kidnapped. After the death of Ravana, she got the boon to be born as Padmavati after which again she entered Sita's body. So Radha is both Sita and Padmavati/Chaya Sita. During the Ashwamedh yajna, Sita separated herself from her Bhu shakti and she got the boon to be his queen in the next birth. So Satyabhama was both Sita and Murati Sita. 

Brahmavaivartra Puran says that Radha was Sita and she was kidnapped by Ravana. Now this clearly states that Radha was both Sita and Chaya Sita as Chaya Sita was the one who was kidnapped. In Radha Sahasranaam,Radha is named  both Vedavati and Sita.

There are many Mahavidyas of Parvati (more than 10 in reality) which include Durga (not in 10). Again Navdurga theory comes where out of the 9 forms, we see Shailputri (daughter of Himavan), Brahmacharini (the one who did meditation to marry Shiva), Skandamata (mother of Kartikeyan), Mahagauri, Siddhidhatri (the one who is the female half of Shiva). So there again is no superior or inferior.  

Now lets come to Kala avtars of Lakshmi (frankly 14, not 8).  

1. Adi Lakshmi (the one from whom others emerge) 

2. Aishwarya Lakshmi

3. Vidya Lakshmi 

4. Dhaanya Lakshmi 

5. Saubhagya Lakshmi 

6. Dhairya Lakshmi 

7. Veer Lakshmi 

8. Vijay / Jay Lakshmi 

9. Saubhagya Lakshmi 

10. Gaj Lakshmi 

11. Rajya Lakshmi 

12. Griha Lakshmi 

13. Santan Lakshmi 

14. Vara Lakshmi 

 Now see. Vidya is a type of Aishwarya. Rajya is a type of Aishwarya. Vidya, Rajya, Dhaanya, Griha, Santan and Aishwarya are Saubhagya. Dhaanya is a type of Aishwarya (barter system). So when these Lakshmi roopas aren't different, how are Shridevi, Bhudevi and Niladevi different? 

(Note: Though I say Radha is Niladevi, Rukmini is Shridevi and Satyabhama is Bhudevi, that doesn't mean that their identities are limited to Niladevi, Shridevi and Bhudevi. Sita is an incarnation of Lakshmi but she became Kali to kill Sahasra Ravan. Krishna is an incarnation of Vishnu, but in his Vishwaroop form, we see all Gods in him.)

When we say 'Hare Ram Hare Krishna', Hare indicates female potency. We know Radha, Rukmini and Satyabhama are the female potency of Krishna while Sita is the female potency of Ram. So we need to understand a unity in all.

As per Kalki Puran, Rukmini is clearly mentioned as Padma while Satyabhama is mentioned as Rama. In Radhapanishad, Rama is a name of Radha. But Padma is Sita. To conclude:

Padma = Radha + Rukmini + Satyabhama 

Rama = Radha + Vaishnavi + Satyabhama

Lord Kalki will have 2 wife's in Kaliyug.

After Radha's death Krishna broke his flute. After Krishna's death Rukmini with the Ashtabharyas performed sati and immolated herself .

When Pandav Arjuna took the other wife's of the Yadava clan to Hastinapur through the woods, they were attacked by bandits. Arjuna, being a mighty warrior, could not save the ladies from the bandits. 

All the three goddesses are great in their own way. Radha represents passion. Rukmini represents devotion. Satyabhama represents bravery.

Though I'm more attached to Radha, Rukmini and Satyabhama, that doesn't mean I will insult Jambavati or Mitravinda or Satya or Lakshmana or Bhadra as they are equal to Radha, Rukmini and Satyabhama

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Thanks for joining me,🤗

ESHITA GUPTA.