The Life of Krishna, According To The Hindu Scriptures
DISCLAIMER:
Dear Reader, Krishna is a central character of Hinduism (Santana
Dharma) and Hindus worship him as a Divine God. However, Krishna always has
been a controversial character among many people, even among some Hindus. While
studying various Hindu scriptures we can find out why so many people consider
Krishna as controversial and why so many people consider him as Immoral person
and a fake god. While reading this article, keep this in mind that we are not
attacking, insulting or abusing Krishna or Hindu beliefs but simply giving the
scriptural references from various Hindu scriptures. All the references used in
this article are taken from authentic & genuine sources. Readers are
requested to check those references before making any crucial judgment. External
Website links are given in the Brackets after the reference. We hope that you
will read this article to gain your personal knowledge and use it in future
religious studies. Thank you!
1.Krishna Had 16000 Wives and One Hundred Virgins
“O excellent brahmins, with a separate body for each of these,
Krsna married them in accordance with piety. There were sixteen
thousand and one hundred women or even more. Lord Krsna took up as many forms. But
those virgins considered him as their sole lord individually, thinking, “Krsna
married me alone.”” - [Brahma Purana 95.12-18] External Reference
Link: (Lord
Kṛṣṇa marries sixteen thousand and one hundred virgins [Chapter 95]
(wisdomlib.org))
“Rukmini bare to Krishna these other sons,
Chárudeshna, Sudeshña, Chárudeha, Sushena, Chárugupta, Bhadracháru, Cháruvinda,
Sucháru, and the very mighty Cháru; also one daughter, Chárumatí. Krishna had
seven other beautiful wives, Kálindí, Mitravrindá, the virtuous Nágnajití, the
queen Jámbavatí; Rohini, of beautiful form; the amiable and excellent daughter
of the king of Madra, Mádrí; Satyabhámá, the daughter of Satrujit; and
Lakshmañá, of lovely smiles. Besides these, he had sixteen thousand
other wives.” - [Vishnu Purana 5.28.1-5] External Reference
Link: (Slaughter
of Rukmini [Chapter XXVIII] (wisdomlib.org))
“Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Hearing that Lord Kṛṣṇa had killed Narakāsura and had alone married many brides, Nārada Muni desired to see the Lord in this situation. He thought, “It is quite amazing that in a single body Lord Kṛṣṇa simultaneously married sixteen thousand women, each in a separate palace.” Thus the sage of the demigods eagerly went to Dvārakā.” - [Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.69.1-6] External Reference Link: (ŚB 10.69.1-6 (vedabase.io))
2.Krishna Took Over 16000 Women For His Own Pleasure
“The excessively strong one, of unequalled exploit, Kṛṣṇa
took up sixteen thousand one hundred girls for his own pleasure.” - [Linga
Purana, Section Uttarabhāga 1.69.82] External
Reference Link: (Śrīkṛṣṇa,
his birth and life (somavaṃśa-anukīrtana) [Chapter 69] (wisdomlib.org))
“Thus he married also Kalindi, Laksmanä, Saivya, Satya, Sati,
Jambavati, Mitravinda and Nägnajiti. Thereafter lord Krsna killed Narakäsura in
the battle-field and abducted the sixteen thousand damsels kept by him
in captivity and marrying them he enjoyed their company.” - [Brahma
Viavarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda: 54.15-16] External Reference
Link: (Brahma
Vaivarta Purana - English Translation - All Four Kandas : Shanti Lal Nagar :
Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive)
3.Krishna Had Over 10 Children With Each of His
16,108 Wives
“Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Each of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s wives gave
birth to ten sons, who were not less than their father, having all His
personal opulence.” - [Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.61.1] External Reference
Link: (ŚB
10.61.1 (vedabase.io))
“Lord Kṛṣṇa had 16,108 wives, and thus this verse indicates
that the Lord begot 161,080 sons.” - [Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.61.1] External
Reference Link: (ŚB
10.61.1 (vedabase.io))
“Then he killed a demon named Naraka and also the demon named
Mura and found sixteen thousand damsels there. Each one of the damsels had more
than a hundred female friends each; all of them were quite, a youthful, jovial
and adorned with the gem-studded ornaments. Lord Krsna accepted their hands in
an auspicious time and enjoyed their company in the auspicious time. Ten
sons and the daughter were born to each one of the wives of Krsna. Thus he had
different issues from all his wives.” - [Brahma Viavarta Purana, Krishna
Janma Khanda: 112.35-39] External Reference Link: (Brahma
Vaivarta Purana - English Translation - All Four Kandas : Shanti Lal Nagar :
Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive)
“My dear King, the sons and grandsons of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s children numbered in the tens of millions. Sixteen thousand mothers gave rise to this dynasty.”- [Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.61.19] External Reference Link: (ŚB 10.61.19 (vedabase.io))
4.Krishna Curses His Wives To Be Abducted By Bandits
“Siva said:- There will be 16,000 wives of Krisna in the Yuga
mentioned before. When once, in the spring time, those ladies, having decorated
themselves with ornaments, would be drinking together on the banks of a pond
studded with full budded lotus flowers, dancing with the wind and resounding
with the melodious notes of the cuckoo and musical tunes of the big black
bee, they will see Lord Samba, beautiful like Cupid, having eyes
handsome like those of a gazelle, and wearing the garlands of malati, passing
by. They will cast on him amorous glances, their hearts being fired
with lustful feelings and they being targets of the arrows of Cupid. Lord
Krishna will come to know all that with his mental vision, and will curse them
as follows: ‘Because you cherished the desire of amorous pastime during my
absence, all of you will be taken away by bandits.” - [Matsya Purana
70.2-7] External Reference Link: (The
Matsya Puranam : Basu, B. D., Ed. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming :
Internet Archive)
“Samba, Jambavatl’s son, adorned with all (kinds of ornaments),
going along with the path nearby, really of the form of Cupid, will be
longingly seen by the ladies and passion will be aroused in the hearts of them
who will be tormented by the arrows of Cupid. He, the lord of the world, the
omniscient master, having perceived it with his eye of contemplation, will say
to them: “The evil being will kidnap you, since you have thus entertained the
passion of love (for Samba) in my presence.” Then the revered lord, the cause
of beings, the holder of the bow made of horn, being propitiated (by
the ladies) tormented with the curse, will say this: “(You will observe)
the vow, beneficial in the future, which sage Dalbhya, emancipator of the
fishermen living in the north and of an unlimited (generosity of) mind will
tell you.” Saying so and leaving them, the lord vanished. Then after a (long)
time when the burden (on the earth as a result of the great Bharatawar) will be
lightened and when the fight with clubs (among the Yadavas) will be over, when
Kesava will have come back to the heaven, when the entire Yadu-family will be
no more, when even Arjuna will be defeated by the thieves, when Krsna’s
wives will be kidnapped and will be enjoyed by the fishermen for a hundred
million years and when they will be (thus) tormented, a devout soul,
Dalbhya by name, with great penance (to his credit) will come there.” -
[Padma Purana 1.23.78-87a] External Reference Link: (The
vow (vrata) for Prostitutes (veśyā) [Chapter 23] (wisdomlib.org))
5.Krishna Enjoys With His Concubines
“The Gopīs repeatedly exclaimed, “Bravo, Kṛṣṇa!” to his song.
When leading, they followed him; when returning, they encountered him; and,
whether he went forwards or backwards, they ever attended on his steps. Whilst
frolicking thus with the Gopīs, they considered every instant without him a
myriad of years; and, prohibited in vain by husbands, fathers,
brothers, they went forth at night to sport with Kṛṣṇa, the object of their
affection.” - [Vishnu Purana 5.13.55-61] External Reference
Link: (Herdsmen
appraised Krishna [Chapter XIII] (wisdomlib.org))
“In this way Lord Krsna, the original Lord Närãyana, master
of the goddess of fortune, took pleasure in the company of the young women of
Vraja by embracing them, caressing them and glancing lovingly at them as He
smiled His broad, playful smiles. It was just as if a child were playing with
his own reflection.- Their senses overwhelmed by the joy of having His
physical association, the gopis could not prevent their hair, their dresses and
the cloths covering their breasts from becoming disheveled. Their garlands
and ornaments scattered, O hero of the Kuru dynasty.” - [Shrimad Bhagavatam
10.33.16-17] External Reference Link: (ŚB
10.33.16 (vedabase.io))
“Śrī Kṛṣṇa went with the gopīs to the bank of the Yamunā, where
the sand was cooling and the wind, enlivened by the river’s waves, bore the
fragrance of lotuses. There Kṛṣṇa threw His arms around the gopīs and
embraced them. He aroused Cupid in the beautiful young ladies of Vraja by
touching their hands, hair, thighs, belts and breasts, by playfully scratching
them with His fingernails, and also by joking with them, glancing at them
and laughing with them. In this way the Lord enjoyed His pastimes.” - [Shrimad
Bhagavatam 10.29.45-46] External Reference Link: (ŚB
10.29.45-46 (vedabase.io))
“With the tip of his nail with which he had pierced the neck of
hyena, he pinched the breasts of the cowherd lasses. He has been
sportingly given many forms by young women. Let this Śeṣa (?) be for (i.e.
bring about) calmness and peace.” - [Skanda Purana 2.3.4.17] External
Reference Link: (The
Greatness of the Rocks of Garuḍa, Varāha and Nārasiṃha [Chapter 4]
(wisdomlib.org))
“The Lord enjoyed His pastimes, both in this world and in other
worlds [higher planets], specifically in the association of the Yadu dynasty.
At leisure hours offered by night, He enjoyed the friendship of
conjugal love with women.” – [Shrimad Bhagavatam 3.3.21] External
Reference Link: (ŚB
3.3.21 (vedabase.io))
“Certainly Kṛṣṇa sat down here with His girlfriend to arrange
Her hair. The lusty boy must have made a crown for that lusty girl out of
the flowers He had collected. [Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Lord Kṛṣṇa
enjoyed with that gopī, although He enjoys only within, being
self-satisfied and complete in Himself. Thus by contrast He showed the
wretchedness of ordinary lusty men and hardhearted women.” – [Shrimad
Bhagavatam 10.30.33-34] External Reference Link: (ŚB
10.30.33 (vedabase.io))
“Thereafter Janardana multiplied himself into many forms and
enjoyed the love-sport with the cowherdess which are liked by the passionate
damsels. Thereafter, passionate Krsna holding the hand of Radha reached in
the pleasure-chamber which was built by Visvakarma and had the fragrance of
sandal-paste, aguru, kasturl and saffron. He then enjoyed the company
of Radha on the bed of campaka flowers. Krsna was well-versed in the
love-sports and the Scriptures on love and he enjoyed the conjugal pleasures in
many ways. O sage, thus both of them were engaged in each other
companies for a long time. At that point of time their attraction towards the
conjugal-pleasures could not be subsided. Thus Krsna was always anxious for
love-sport and he in many forms enjoyed the company of the cowherdesses.” -
[Brahma Viavarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 52.27-32] External
Reference Link: (Brahma
Vaivarta Purana - English Translation - All Four Kandas : Shanti Lal Nagar :
Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive)
“….Some passionate milk-maid said to Krishna, the lord of her
life, “Krsna, wrap me in your yellow dress.” Someone said to Krisna, the Lord
of the universe, “Lord, apply vermillion to my forehead.” Someone arrived there
soon and said, “Lord, arrange the lock of my hair and bind my chignon.” Some
milk-maid bent on her toilet deputed Krisna to fetch sandal foliage for her
ear-rings. Someone by mysterious signs explained to him what was passing in
her heart and with a face beaming with smiles looked at him soliciting sexual
intercourse. Some milk-maids dragged him by force, snatched from his flute,
took away his yellow dress, made him naked and smiled. Some dignified girl
said to the conqueror of Madhu, “Lord, paint the nails of my feet with
lac-dye.” Someone said affectionately to him, “O Lord of my life, paint my
cheek and breast with lines of cosmetics of various colours.”” - [Brahma
Viavarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 29.1-10] External Reference
Link: (Brahma
Vaivarta Purana - English Translation - All Four Kandas : Shanti Lal Nagar :
Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive)
“Lord Krsna enjoyed love-sports as is prescribed in the
Kama-sastra, Whatever types of make-up was requited in the beginning, in
the middle or the end of the love-sport by the cowherdesses, the lord used much
more than that. With the scratches of the armlets of the cowherdesses and the
paint of the feet, the body of lord Krsna looked quite beautiful like the charm
of the mountain of red orchard. Thus with the completion of the divine dance
all the gods together with their attendants end families reached the
Rasamandala with curiosity. They were mounted over the chariots of gold and
were surrounded by their attendants.” - [Brahma Viavarta Purana Krishna Janma
Khanda 28.114-117] External Reference Link: (Brahma
Vaivarta Purana - English Translation - All Four Kandas : Shanti Lal Nagar :
Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive)
“Radhika enjoyed the union with Krsna and was
fainted Krsna, with the touch of the limbs of Radhika was also fainted. While
enjoying the conjugal pleasure both Radha and Kysna became motionless…” -
[Brahma Viavarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 46.61-71] External
Reference Link: (Brahma
Vaivarta Purana - English Translation - All Four Kandas : Shanti Lal Nagar :
Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive)
“…Thereafter, the passionate, moving at will, all pervading
and clever lord Krsna enjoyed the love-sport with beautiful Radha.”
- [Brahma Viavarta Purana Krishna Janma Khanda 69.2-3] External
Reference Link: (Brahma
Vaivarta Purana - English Translation - All Four Kandas : Shanti Lal Nagar :
Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive)
“Thereafter in seclusion, she offered the sandalpaste and
garland then dragged Radha towards himself and placing her on the
chest, he kissed her over her various limbs of the body. Radha also
repeated similarly and embracing his beloved dragged him on the body.
Thereafter, both of them started enjoying conjugal pleasure described
in the treatises of love. All the limbs of the body of Radha were
injured after which Radha was over-powered with sleep. After enjoying
all the pleasures she was fainted. She was just breathing and her eyes were
closed.” - [Brahma Viavarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 127.3-8] External
Reference Link: (Brahma
Vaivarta Purana - English Translation - All Four Kandas : Shanti Lal Nagar :
Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive)
“Thereafter the lord unrobed Radhika…The lord embraced
the unrobed Radhika and went beneath the water and enjoying the water sport
again emerged over-the water. Radhika who was bending because of
love-sport and was smiling getting unrobed, was dragged by Krsna an the
water and displaying her reflection in the water of Yamuna, he took her out of
it. The Radhika also caught hold of Krsna forcefully with a jump and snatching
away his flute, she dragged him in anger for a long distance. She also unrobed
him taking away his pitambara and also broke away the vanamala. She then
started splashing water over him again and again. Thereafter Radhika dragged
Hari in the deep water who was drowned there.” - [Brahma Viavarta Purana,
Krishna Janma Khanda 28.137-143] External Reference Link: (Brahma
Vaivarta Purana - English Translation - All Four Kandas : Shanti Lal Nagar :
Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive)
“At that time Krsna sported himself together with the cowherd lasses. Even when he was away from them for a moment they felt that period of time equal to acrore of years. Though prevented by their fathers, husbands and brothers the cowherdesses who were fond of sexual intercourse delighted Krsna during the nights.” - [Brahma Purana 81.39-40] External Reference Link: (Brahma Purana - Parts I - IV : Motilal Banarsidass : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive)
6. Krishna With His Wives
“Under the drenched clothing of the queens, their thighs and
breasts would become visible. The flowers tied in their large braids
would scatter as they sprayed water on their consort, and on the plea of trying
to take away His syringe, they would embrace Him. By His touch their
lusty feelings would increase, causing their faces to beam with smiles.
Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa’s queens shone with resplendent beauty. Lord Kṛṣṇa’s flower
garland would become smeared with kuṅkuma from their breasts, and His abundant
locks of hair would become disheveled as a result of His absorption in the
game. As the Lord repeatedly sprayed His young consorts and they sprayed Him in
turn, He enjoyed Himself like the king of elephants enjoying in the
company of his bevy of she-elephants.” - [Shrimad Bhagavatam
10.90.10-11] External Reference Link: (ŚB
10.90.10 (vedabase.io))
“The Brahmanas were served with food adoring Parvati at the same
time. Thereafter in an auspicious time he married seven damsels named
Kalindi, Satyabhama, Satya, Nagnijiti, Sati, Jambavati and Laksmana; several
sons were born to them, ten sons and a daughter were born of each one of the
queens.” - [Brahma Viavarta Purana, Krishna Janma Khanda 112.32-34] External
Reference Link: (Brahma
Vaivarta Purana - English Translation - All Four Kandas : Shanti Lal Nagar :
Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive)
7. Krishna Drops His Semen After Looking At Rati
(Goddess of Love)
“Thereafter because of the arrows of love, the semen of Lord
Krsna also fell but he placed the same in the water that assembly.
After a thousand years it emerged in the form of an egg. From that egg a
gigantic universal form came out, which happens to be the base of the entire
Universe. His single hair-pit could accommodate a complete universe. It is
harder than the hardest and nothing else is bigger than it.” - [Brahma Viavarta
Purana, Brahma Khanda 4.23-25] External Reference Link: (Brahma
Vaivarta Purana - English Translation - All Four Kandas : Shanti Lal Nagar :
Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive)
8. Krishna’s Intercourse (Sex) With a Hump-back
Woman
“Instead of waking all the attendants of Kubja, lord woke her up
alone and spoke to the chaste lady. Lord Krsna said, ”O virtuous one, O
beautiful one, wake up and let me enjoy the love-sport with you because
in earlier birth you happened to be Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana. O damsel,
during my incarnation as Rama you had performed the tapas for me. Influenced by
those tapas I have taken to this form and have come to you as your beloved.
Therefore, you serve me. Presently you enjoy all the pleasures with me and then
proceed on to Goloka which destroys birth and death. Thus speaking lord
Krsna embraced her and unrobing her, enjoyed her passionate advances. With
a serene smile on her face, the passionate damsel felt shy at the first union
but implanted a kiss on the lord. The lord took her in his lap like
Laksmi. O Narada, the lord was well-versed in the art of making love and
both of them did not rest during the physical union and they enjoyed the
love-sport in various ways. Lord Krsna scratched her breasts and the
pelvic region with the nails and also sucked her nectar-like lips. At the end
of the night the lord implanted the semen in her womb after which the beautiful
damsel fainted. In the lap of lord Krsna she lost the consciousness about
day and night, heaven or earth, water or earth.” – [Brahma Viavarta Purana,
Krishna Janma Khanda 72.56-69] External Reference Link: (Brahma
Vaivarta Purana - English Translation - All Four Kandas : Shanti Lal Nagar :
Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive)
“Calling forward His beloved, who was anxious and shy at the
prospect of this new contact, the Lord pulled her by her bangled hands
onto the bed. Thus He enjoyed with that beautiful girl, whose only trace of
piety was her having offered ointment to the Lord. Simply by smelling the
fragrance of Krsna’s lotus feet, Trivakrá cleansed away the burning lust Cupid
had aroused in her breasts, chest and eyes. With her two arms she
embraced between her breasts her lover, Sri Krsna, the personification
of bliss, and thus she gave up her long-standing distress. Having thus gotten
the hard-to-get Supreme Lord by the simple act of offering Him body ointment,
unfortunate Trivakra submitted to that Lord of freedom the following request. [Trivakra
said:] O beloved, please stay here with me for a few days more and enjoy. I
cannot bear to give up Your association, O lotus- eyed one! Promising her
the fulfilment of this lusty desire, considerate Krsna, Lord of all beings,
paid Trivakra His respects and then returned with Uddhava to His own supremely
opulent residence.” - [Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.48.6-10] External
Reference Link: (ŚB
10.48.6 (vedabase.io))
9. Krishna Wanting To Have Sex With Gopis
“But Kṛṣṇa, observing the clear sky bright with the autumnal
moon, and the air perfumed with the fragrance of the wild water-lily, in whose
buds the clustering bees were murmuring their songs, felt inclined to
join with the Gopīs in sport.” - [Vishnu Purana 5.13] External
Reference Link: (Herdsmen
appraised Krishna [Chapter XIII] (wisdomlib.org))
10. Krishna Stole The Clothes of Gopi’s
“Taking the girls’ garments, He quickly climbed to the top of
a kadamba tree. Then, as He laughed loudly and His companions also laughed,
He addressed the girls jokingly. [Lord Krsna said:] My dear girls, you may each
come here as you wish and take back your garments. I’m telling you the truth
and am not joking with you, since I see you’re fatigued from executing austere
vows. I have never before spoken a lie, and these boys know it. Therefore,
O slender-waisted girls, please come forward, either one by one or all
together, and pick out your clothes. Seeing how Krsna was joking with them,
the gopis became fully immersed in love for Him, and as they glanced at each
other they began to laugh and joke among themselves, even in their
embarrassment. But still they did not come out of the water. As Sri Govinda
spoke to the gopis in this way, His joking words completely captivated their
minds. Submerged up to their necks in the cold water, they began to shiver.
Thus they addressed Him as follows. [The gopis said:] Dear Krsna, don’t
be unfair! We know that You are the respectable son of Nanda and that You are
honored by everyone in Vraja. You are also very dear to us. Please give us back
our clothes. We are shivering in the cold water. O Syamasundara, we are
Your maidservants and must do whatever You say. But give us back our clothing.
You know what the religious principles are, and if You don’t give us our
clothes we will have to tell the king. Please! The Supreme Personality of
Godhead said: If you girls are actually My maidservants, and if you will really
do what I say, then come here with your innocent smiles and let each girl pick
out her clothes. If you don’t do what I say, I won’t give them back to you. And
even if the king becomes angry, what can he do? Then, shivering from
the painful cold, all the young girls rose up out of the water, covering their
pubic area with their hands.” - [Shrimad Bhagavatham 10.22.9-17] External
Reference Link: (ŚB
10.22.9 (vedabase.io))
11. Krishna Married His Own Cousin Sisters
“Bhadra was a princess of the Kaikeya kingdom and the
daughter of Lord Krsna’s paternal aunt Srutakirti. The Lord married Bhadrä when
her brothers, headed by Santardana, offered her to Him.” - [Shrimad
Bhagavatam 10.58.56] External Reference Link: (ŚB
10.58.56 (vedabase.io))
“My dear King, Lord Krsna forcibly took away Princess
Mitravinda, the daughter of His aunt Rajädhidevi, before the eyes of the
rival kings.” - [Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.58.31] External Reference
Link: (ŚB
10.58.31 (vedabase.io))
12. Krishna Abducts And Marries an 8 year old girl –
Rukmini
Krishna’s abduction of Rukmini and their subsequent
marriage is often considered an example of the Raksasa type of marriage. (Brahma
Purana 91.6-12)
The Raksasa marriage is one of the eight types of
Hindu marriages mentioned in ancient texts like the Manusmriti and other
Dharmashastras. In a Raksasa marriage, the groom forcefully abducts
the bride against her will or without the consent of her parents, as elaborated
in the Hindu Scriptures.
“On the eve of marriage day Krsna abducted that virgin even
as Rama and other kinsmen were opposed to it…After defeating Rukmin Krsna
married Rukmini duly in accordance with the injunctions regarding Raksasa type
of marriage.” - [Brahma Purana 91.6-12] External
Reference Link: (Brahma
Purana - Parts I - IV : Motilal Banarsidass : Free Download, Borrow, and
Streaming : Internet Archive)
“The second child born was a daughter named Rukmiṇī. At that
time an unembodied etherial voice told him, “O Bhīsmaka, this girl should be
given to a Four-armed One (born) on this earth.” On hearing these words, he and
his beloved became delighted. Along with learned Brāhmaṇas, he entered the
lying-in-chamber and made them recite the Svastika prayers and the girl was
duly named Rukmiṇī. O descendant of Bharata, she was proclaimed Rukmiṇī by the
Brāhmaṇas then because she had a freckle golden in colour congenitally. As
time passed on she became a girl of eight years. The king recollected the words
of the unembodied being and became worried. ‘To whom shall I give this
daughter? Who will be the four-armed one?’ In the meantime Damaghoṣa,
the chieftain of Cedi came there from the excellent mountain Raivata. He
entered the royal palace where King Bhīṣmaka was present. On seeing him arrived
in the abode, the king duly adored him. He was taken to the Royal Court and
given a proper seat. ‘This day has dawned meritoriously. I was eager to see you.
O great king, my daughter has come to the age of eight years. The
ethereal voice of an unembodied being has told that she should be given to a
Four-armed One”. On hearing the words of Bhīṣmaka, Damaghoṣa said thus: “My son
is well known in all the three worlds as Four-armed One (Caturbhujā). O Bhīṣmaka,
let this girl be given to Śiśupāla.” On hearing the words of Damaghoṣa, O king,
Rukmiṇī was betrothed to Śiśupāla by Bhīṣmaka.” - [Skanda Purana
5.3.142.8-27] External Reference Link: (The
Greatness of Rukmiṇī Tīrtha [Chapter 142] (wisdomlib.org))
“Smitten with love kindled (in their breast) by her. the
illustrious warriors assembled (there) felt bewildered to behold the
princess, who was possessed of a shapely (slender) waist and had not yet
attained puberty, and who had a girdle of jewels thrown about her hips and
in whom signs of womanhood were (just) manifesting themselves, whose (charming)
countenance was graced with ear-rings and whose eyes were moving as though
afraid of her curly locks (that overhung her face).” - [Shrimad Bhagavatam
10.53.51-52] External Reference Link: (Bhagavata
Purana Gita Press : Gita Press : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming :
Internet Archive)
“..The monarch Bhismaka observed his beautiful daughter
engaged in child-like sports and increasing in splendour day by day
like a digit of the moon in the midst of clouds. Considering it advisable to
marry his youthful and lovely daughter…” - [Brahma Viavarta Purana Krishna
Janma Khanda 105.1-10] External Reference Link: (Brahma-vaivarta
puranam. Translated into English by Rajendra Nath Sen : Free Download, Borrow,
and Streaming : Internet Archive)
13. Krishna Owning And dealing With Female Slaves
“And Krishna gave unto each of the illustrious sons of Pandu
numerous female slaves, and gems and robes…” - [Mahabharata
4.72.19-26] External Reference Link: (Section
LXXII [Mahabharata, English] (wisdomlib.org))
“He also gave them a thousand mules, all well- trained and
possessing the speed of the wind, of white colour with black manes. And
he of eyes like lotus-petals also gave unto them a thousand damsels
well-skilled in assisting at bathing and at drinking, young in years and
virgins all before their first-season, well-attired and of excellent
complexion, each wearing a hundred pieces of gold around her neck, of skins
perfectly polished, decked with every ornament, and well-skilled in every kind
of personal service.” - [Mahabharata 1.223.48-50] External
Reference Link: (Section
CCXXIII [Mahabharata, English] (wisdomlib.org))
14. Krishna Transforms Himself Into a Girl
“Śrī Nārada said: After hearing Rādhā’s words, Lord Kṛṣṇa,
who was magically transformed into a young girl, spoke to lotus-eyed Rādhā.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O girl whose thighs are graceful as
banana trees, I live in Gokula, just north of Nanda’s palace in Nandanagara. My
name is Gopadevatā.” - [Garga Samhita 2.17.30-31] External Reference
Link: (Verse
2.17.30 [Garga Samhita] (wisdomlib.org))
15. Krishna Indulging In Gambling
“There he saw the Lord playing at dice with His beloved
consort and His friend Uddhava. Lord Kṛṣṇa worshiped Nārada by
standing up, offering him a seat, and so on, and then, as if He did not know,
asked him, “When did you arrive? What can needy persons like Us do for those
who are full in themselves? In any case, My dear brāhmaṇa, please make My life
auspicious.” Thus addressed, Nārada was astonished. He simply stood up silently
and went to another palace.” - [Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.69.20-22] External
Reference Link: (ŚB
10.69.20-22 (vedabase.io))
“As the people looked at Satrājit from a distance, his
brilliance blinded them. They presumed he was the sun-god, Sūrya, and went to
tell Lord Kṛṣṇa, who was at that time playing at dice.” - [Shrimad
Bhagavatam 10.56.5] External Reference Link: (ŚB
10.56.5 (vedabase.io))
“Distraught with fear, the people cried out to the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, who was then playing at dice in the royal court:
“Save us! Save us, O Lord of the three worlds, from this fire burning up the
city!” - [Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.66.36] External Reference Link: (ŚB
10.66.36 (vedabase.io))
“At Uttarakoti (the northern end), there is again Ganesa. Here
Lord Krsna was playing dice with the Gopis. Merrily playing with them, the Lord
won all of them and their wealth in the game. He gave them all to the Gopas who
commemorated the event there.” - [Varaha Purana 160.52-53] External
Reference Link: (The
Varaha Purana, Part 2 : J. L. Shastri, G. P. Bhatt, S. Venkatasubramania Iyer :
Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive)
16. Krishna Drank Wine And Ate Meat:
Wine
“Listen, O king, as I tell you the state in which I
found Krishna and Dhananjaya. I will also, O Bharata, tell you what
those heroes said; O king, with looks bent down and hands joined together, and
with senses well restrained, I entered the inner apartments for conferring with
those gods among men. Neither Abhimanyu nor the Twins can repair to that place
where are the two Krishnas and Draupadi and lady Satyabhama. There
I beheld those chastisers of foes, exhilarated with Bassia wine,
their bodies adorned with garlands of flowers.”- [Mahabharata 5.59.2-5] External
Reference Link: (Section
LIX [Mahabharata, English] (wisdomlib.org))
“And Krishna gave unto each of the illustrious sons of Pandu
numerous female slaves, and gems and robes. And then the nuptial festival set
in between the families of the Matsya king and the Pandavas. And then conchs
and cymbals and horns and drums and other musical instruments appointed by the
Pandavas, began to play in the palace of Virata. And deer of various kinds and
clean animals by hundreds were slain. And wines of various kinds and
intoxicating juices of trees were profusely collected.” - [Mahabharata
4.72.19-28] ()
“On that day the Lord was engaged in drinking liquor
after enjoying aquatic sports along with all the members of his Antaḥpura
(inner apartment). They were in a secluded place.”- [Skanda Purana
7.1.101.17] External Reference Link: (Greatness
of Sāṃbāditya (Sāṃba-āditya) [Chapter 101] (wisdomlib.org))
Meat
Krishna recommended the slaughtering of animals for worshipping
Govardhan Mountain and also consumed the flesh of animals that were offered by
the people.
“Let prayer and offerings then be addressed to the mountain
Govarddhana, and kill a victim in due form. Let the whole station collect
their milk without delay, and feed with it the Brahmans and all who may desire
to partake of it. When the oblations have been presented, and the Brahmans have
been fed, let the Gopas circumambulate the cows, decorated with garlands of
autumnal flowers. If the cowherds will attend to these suggestions, they will
secure the favour of the mountain, of the cattle, and also mine.” When Nanda
and the other Gopas heard these words of Krishńa, their faces expanded with
delight, and they said that he had spoken well. “You have judged rightly,
child,” exclaimed they; “we will do exactly as you have proposed, and offer
adoration to the mountain.” Accordingly the inhabitants of Vraja worshipped
the mountain, presenting to it curds and milk and flesh; and they fed
hundreds and thousands of Brahmans, and many other guests, who came to the
ceremony, even as Krishńa had enjoined: and when they had made their
offerings, they circumambulated the cows and the bulls, that bellowed as loud
as roaring clouds. Upon the summit of Govarddhana, Krishńa presented
himself, saying, “I am the mountain,” and partook of much food presented by
the Gopas; whilst in his own form as Krishńa he ascended the hill along with
the cowherds, and worshipped his other self. Having promised them many
blessings, the mountain-person of Krishńa vanished; and the ceremony being
completed, the cowherds returned to their station.” - [Vishnu Purana
5.10.36-49] External Reference Link: (The
Vishnu Purana: Book V: Chapter X (sacred-texts.com))
“Let us kill the animals such as buffalos to be eaten. Let
this sacrifice be conducted with all gopas… Along with a pond of curd, a vortex
of ghee, a river of milk, a variety of meat and a mountain of
cooked rice, the entire complex of vraja including the happy gopa-s and
beautiful gopi-s proceeded for the hill sacrifice… At the start of the
sacrifice, the items were offered to the fire as ordained. The gopa-s performed
the sacrifice along with brahmins on an auspicious day. At the end of the
sacrifice, by illusion, Krishna became the hill and consumed the best
rice, milk, curd and meat which were offered.” - [Harivamsha Purana
2.17.15-21] External Reference Link: (The
Reply of the Gopas [Chapter 17] (wisdomlib.org))
This is also mentioned in Brahma Purana:
“[Krishna said] Hence, let the mountain Govardhana
be honoured and worshipped with all due offerings after killing the sacrificial
animal in accordance with injunctions. Vyasa said: O brahmins, on
hearing these words of his, Nanda and other residents of the colony became
delighted with their faces beaming with pleasure. They said ‘Well said, well
said, my boy… Accordingly the residents of colony performed Yajna unto the
mountain. They offered oblations unto the mountain by curds, milk
puddings, meat etc.” - [Brahma Purana 79.21-27] External Reference
Link: (Worship
of Govardhana Mountain [Chapter 79] (wisdomlib.org))
Hundreds of animals were slaughtered, and wine was consumed by
Krishna’s family and the Pandavas:
“And Krishna gave unto each of the illustrious sons of Pandu
numerous female slaves, and gems and robes. And then the nuptial festival
set in between the families of the Matsya king and the Pandavas. And then
conchs and cymbals and horns and drums and other musical instruments appointed
by the Pandavas, began to play in the palace of Virata. And deer of
various kinds and clean animals by hundreds were slain. And wines of various
kinds and intoxicating juices of trees were profusely collected.”
- [Mahabharata 4.72.19-28] External Reference Link: (Section
LXXII [Mahabharata, English] (wisdomlib.org))
17. What Happened To The Wives of Krishna After His
death?
16,100 wives of Krishna were abducted by bandits:
“The high-souled descendants of Yadu, intoxicated by drinking
wine, fought against each other and were extirpated in the presence of Kṛṣṇa
and Balarām. Balarām then quitted his mortal coil; the lotus-eyed Bhagavān
Kṛṣṇa quitted his life, struck by the arrows of a hunter, to pay respect to a
Brāhmin’s curse. Vasudeva heard of Hari’s quitting his mortal coil, and
meditated the Goddess of the Universe within his heart and left his holy life.
Arjuna became very sorry; he went to Prabhāsa and performed the funeral
obsequies of all duly. Seeing the dead body of Hari, Arjuna collected
fuel and burnt his body together with his eight principal wives; he burnt
also Balarām’s body with that of his wife Revatī. Arjuna, then, went to the
Dvārakā city and removed all the inhabitants of the city when the whole
Dwārkā city of Vāsudeva was drowned in the waters of the ocean. While
Arjuna was taking all the persons with him after getting out of Dwārkā, he felt
himself very weak on the way; and therefore a band of robbers, known by
the name of Ābhīras plundered all the wealth and all the wives of Kṛṣṇa.
Arjuna, of indomitable valour, after his arrival at Indraprastha made Vajra,
Aniruddha’s son, the king of the place.” - [Devi Bhagavatam Purana
2.8.1-23] External Reference Link: (On
the extinction of the family of Yadu and on the anecdote of Parīkṣit [Chapter
8] (wisdomlib.org))
“Kṛṣṇa abandoned the human form under the pretext of the arrow
of the hunter Jaraka, and after blessing that hunter he returned to heaven. Due
to the curse of Aṣṭāvakra as also due to his own Māyā (power) the wives
of lord Kṛṣṇa were abducted by thieves.” - [Linga Purana
1.69.86-87] External Reference Link: (Śrīkṛṣṇa,
his birth and life (somavaṃśa-anukīrtana) [Chapter 69] (wisdomlib.org))
“The good-looking S’amkara saying these words remained silent;
then S’rî Krisna bowed down at the feet of Girijâ, the wife of S’amkara. Then
the Goddess Pârvatî addressed repeatedly to Vâsudeva and said:– O mighty armed!
O Krisna! O best of human beings! You will be the typical exemplary
householder; (all people will try to follow you). When one hundred years will
pass away, your race will be extinct, due to the curse of the Brâhmana and
Gândhâri. Your sons and the other Yâdavas will lose their senses on drinking
liquor; they will kill each other in the battle field and thus will be
extirpated. You should know that there can be no remedy to what will inevitably
come to pass; therefore no one is to grieve for them; this is all along my
view. O Madhusûdana! After Your death, due to the curse of Astâvakra
Muni, your wives will be forcibly stolen away by indomitable robbers. There is
no doubt in this.” - [Devi Bhagavatam Purana 4.25.58-64] External
Reference Link: (On
the Devī’s Highest Supremacy [Chapter 25] (wisdomlib.org))
Whilst the other 8 wives were immolated on Krishna’s funeral
pyre:
“The eight queens of Kṛṣṇa, who have been named, with Rukminī at their head, embraced the body of Hari, and entered the funeral fire. Revatī also, embracing the corpse of Rāma, entered the blazing pile, which was cool to her, happy in contact with her lord. Hearing these events, Ugrasena and Anakadundubhi, with Devakī and Rohinī, committed themselves to the flames.” - [Vishnu Purana 5.38.1-11] External Reference Link: (Funeral ceremonies of Yadavas and coronation of Parikshit [Chapter XXXVIII] (wisdomlib.org))
