Lord Krishna, a prominent deity in Hindu mythology, is revered as a symbol of love, wisdom, and divinity. He is known for his mischievous nature, his valour, and his teachings of Dharma, which continue to inspire people even today. One of the most intriguing aspects of Lord Krishna's life is his association with 16108 wives, which has been the subject of much curiosity and debate. Let’s explore the story to better understand it.

In the ancient texts, Lord Krishna was chief of the Yadavas clan in Dwarka; as Yadava didn’t have kings. According to Bhagavata purana Lord Krishna only had eight wives then which were Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Nagnajiti, Bhadra and Lakshmana.

Now according to the mythological legends, an extremely powerful asura king called Naraka once ruled Pragjyotishpur. He was the son of Lord Vishnu's avatar Varaha and Bhudevi, the goddess of the earth.

Narakasura was an Asura despite genes of Gods and he became very powerful by the boon Bhudevi received for her son by Lord Vishnu. He evolved into a highly evil after meeting Banasura, another Asura. Naraka did great penance for Lord Brahma, who ultimately gave him the blessing that only his mother could kill him.

All of the earth's kingdoms were once captured by Narakasura, forcing Swarga Loka and even Lord Indra to flee. After overthrowing the various rulers, he captured 16,100 women. Satyabhama was furious when she learned about Naraka's behaviour with women and asked Lord Krishna for permission to fight Narakasura. Lord Krishna agreed and with Satyabhama rode Garuda to attack Pragjyotishpur.

Mura, Narakasura's commander, was killed by Krishna during the war. Krishna is hence known as "Murari" (the enemy of Mura). Devi Satyabhama, an incarnation of Bhudevi, then shot an arrow at Narakasura and killed him.

After slaying Narakasura Lord Krishna freed the 16,100 ladies. All 16,100 of the ladies, however, were resolved to end their lives since society would not accept them. In order to restore their honour and raise them to queen position in society, Lord Krishna married them.

There is nobility in his actions; that is how he had 16,100 additional wives. Thus, Lord Krishna had 16108 wives in total.

While this story may seem unusual to modern sensibilities, it is important to understand the historical and cultural context in which it took place. In ancient times, it was not uncommon for kings to have multiple wives, and marriage was often seen as a way of forging alliances and establishing peace between kingdoms. Moreover, Lord Krishna's offer of marriage to the princesses was a way of providing for their security and ensuring that they would not be shunned by society as "damaged goods" due to their captivity.

Furthermore, the story of Lord Krishna and his 16108 wives is not one of lust or polygamy, but rather of love and devotion. Lord Krishna treated each of his wives with respect and affection, and he made sure that they were all happy and well taken care of. Despite the large number of wives, he remained loyal and faithful to each one, and he treated them all equally.

Moreover, the story of Lord Krishna and his 16108 wives is also a symbolic representation of the human soul's longing for union with the divine. Lord Krishna is often depicted as the perfect lover, who is capable of fulfilling the deepest desires of the human heart. In this sense, his marriage to the 16108 princesses represents the union of the human soul with the divine, a concept that is central to Hindu philosophy and spirituality.

In conclusion, the story of Lord Krishna and his 16108 wives is a fascinating tale that has captured the imagination of people for centuries. While it may seem unusual and even controversial by modern standards, it is important to understand it in its historical and cultural context, and to appreciate the deeper spiritual significance that it holds. Lord Krishna's marriage to the princesses is a symbol of his love, compassion, and devotion, and it continues to inspire people to this day.