Rukmini and the Eight Principal Queens

Rukmini, revered as Lakshmi herself, together with Satyabhama, Jambavati and the other principal queens of Dvaraka.

In Dvaraka the eight principal queens of Shri Krishna are known as the Ashta-bharya: Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Nagnajiti (also called Satya), Bhadra and Lakshmana.

First among them is Rukmini, revered as an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi herself. She was the daughter of King Bhishmaka of Vidarbha, and from childhood, hearing of Krishna's qualities, she had given her heart to him alone. Her brother Rukmi wanted her to marry Shishupala. So Rukmini sent a letter to Krishna through a brahmin. Before the wedding Krishna carried her away in his chariot from the temple of Goddess Ambika and defeated the opposing kings. According to tradition, their wedding took place at Madhavpur in Gujarat, where a fair still celebrates it.

Satyabhama was the daughter of King Satrajit. She was married to Krishna after a false accusation against him concerning the Syamantaka jewel was cleared. While searching for that jewel, Krishna fought Jambavan, king of the bears, who at last recognised the Lord and gave him his daughter Jambavati. Satyabhama accompanied Krishna in the battle against Narakasura. Kalindi, daughter of the Sun god, performed austerities to win Krishna. Mitravinda was a princess of Avanti; Nagnajiti was the daughter of King Nagnajit of Kosala, for whom Krishna tamed seven mighty bulls at once; Bhadra was a princess of Kekaya; and Lakshmana was a princess of Madra, at whose svayamvara Krishna pierced the fish target.

A well-loved story from the popular tradition is the tulabhara: when all of Satyabhama's gold and jewels could not balance Krishna on the scales, Rukmini lovingly placed a single tulasi leaf, and the scales were balanced. The story teaches that the Lord is weighed not by wealth but by devotion.

Relation

Principal queens

Source

Shrimad Bhagavatam, Canto 10, ch. 52–58