Lord Krishna with His Two Wives, Rukmani and Satyabhama

Lord Krishna with His Two Wives, Rukmani and Satyabhama

Chola Bronze,11th Century AD

Lord Krishna was the favourite of the 'gopis', the cowherdesses. Yet his name is attached with his two wives, Rukmani and Satyabhama. But he is most famous for his love affair with Radha.

Once both his wives wished to prove their undying love for Him. They made him sit in one of the scales of a balance and themself sat on the other scale. But the scale with Krishna would not rise. All 1600 wives loaded one of the scales with all their jewels. Still the scale with Krishna would not rise. Sage Narada came and put a Tulsi leaf, Vrinda--another name for Radha, and the scale with Krishna rose up and the balance was equal.

The love of Radha is selfless, and eternal. Others' love is selfish and temporary. This is why we worship Radha and Krishna and not Krishna with his two wives.