GREETINGS

Swamiji:

Sri Krishna is said to have 16008 wives, not 10008. There is a story and metaphysical explanation to this. In the story, 16000 women were kept as concubines by a ruler called Narakasura. Krishna released these women when he killed Narakasura, and in order to avoid these women being abused by the society then, told them they could live as his wives in future. (Narakasura’a kingdom is said to be the present day Baghdad). He had married 8 women and thus a total of 16008.

Bhagavatham gives a wonderful TATWAM behind this story. 8 represents the “eight prakritis” in you – 5 in your body (panchabhootas) and three in your mind (chitta-budhi-ahankara). 16 represents the shodasa kalaas (or the 16 perfect skills) of an individual. 10000+ represents your “vikaraas” (emotions/expressions). You are essentially a sum of your prakritis (body and mind), your skills, and your expressions. “Being married” denotes a blissful union at the level of body, mind, emotions, energies and finally the Soul. If your prakritis+skills+emotions and expressions are married to Krishna (Paramatma) or in Unison with the Supreme Intelligence, your existence will be like a HAPPY MARRIAGE……ever blissful at the levels of body, mind, skillful expressions and emotions. Thus Krishna and his 16008 wives, are in each one of us. Let your existence be married to Bhagavan always, so you are blissful in that oneness. Hari Om.