Almost all of us are aware of the heated debates that are centred around Radha Rani and Ashtbharyas. Whether it be about who is superior, who is closer to Krishna, etc.
The debate more than often gets disrespectful to Rukmini ji and other Ashtbharyas, who are demeaned and insulted by some speakers in order to show the superiority of Radha Rani. And it is as perplexing as it sounds.
So with the help of my two trusted friends, krishna-sahacharini and MadreyaPranayani I have gathered references to show those who are genuinely confused and are looking for answers in this matter.
(1) MATSYA PURAN -
रुक्मिणी द्वारावत्यं तु राधा वृन्दावन वने।
This means that Mata Lakshmi is Rukmini in Dwarka and she is Radha in Vrindavan.
(2) PADMA PURAN -
"She is Rukmiṇī at Dvārāvatī; and in the Vṛndāvana-grove she is Rādhā"
Again, the same line appears in Padmapuran as well, which shows that Rukmini and Radha are not different but same.
(3) SKAND PURAN -
"All the heroines (beloved ones) of Śrīkṛṣṇa are the extensions of her(Mahalaxmi 's) own parts." - Verse 12, Chapter 6, Bhagavata Mahatmya, Vaishnava Khanda.
तस्या एवांश विस्तारा सर्वा:श्रीकृष्ण नायिका: ।
नित्य संयोग एवास्ति तस्या सामुज्ययोगत: ॥ (2.12)
Meaning - Shri Krishna's Nayika (Radha) takes on various extension (forms). They always stay together and are eternally united.
This means that all the queens of Shri Krishna are Radha Rani manifested in different forms.
आत्मा तू राधिका तस्य तवैव रमणादसौ
आत्माराम तथा प्राज्ञै: प्रोच्यतेगूढ़ वेदिभि: (1.22)
Here, Shri Krishna is saying that Radha Rani is my soul. The soul is always most dear to everyone, that's the reason she is the dearest to me. My soul has taken the form of women and came out of me in the form of Radha Rani. That's the reason I worship her ceaselessly and known as 'Aatmaraman'.
Now, when Krishna says Radha Rani is his soul, it reminds me what Dashrath says in Ayodhya kaand of Ramayan -
आत्मा हि दाराः सर्वेषाम् दारसम्ग्रहवर्तिनाम् |
आत्मेयमिति रामस्य पालयिष्यति मेदिनीम् ||
Meaning - For every man, his wife is his soul. Since Sita is the soul of Rama, she can rule this earth.
Now if Radha Rani is Krishna's soul, and Ashtbharyas being his wives are also his soul, then wouldn't that make Radha Rani and Ashtbharyas the same ? Because there is only one soul.
(4) BRAHMAVAIVARTA PURAN -
"You are the one known as Sita in Mithila. Your shadow is Draupadi, the favourite spouse of the Pandavas, you also appear in the form of Mahalakshmi in Dvaraka and Rukmini as well (...) You are Sita of Rama and was abducted by Ravana. О chaste one, you appear in different forms in the universe and similarly, I also appear in different forms in the universe." - Verses 99 - 101, Chapter CXXVI, Krishna Janma Khanda.
"Radha, Satyabhama, Sita, Kalindi, Laksmana, Jambhavati, Nagnajiti and Mitravinda and Rukminī, these are the different forms of Goddess of Fortune Herself." - Chapter I, Prakriti Khanda.
So quoting this puran becomes necessary, because the ones who demean Rukmini ji or Ashtbharyas, often claim that they are ardent readers of this Puran.
But ironically Brahmavaivarta Puran itself mentions that Devi Sita, Ashtbharyas and Radha Rani, all are the incarnations or forms of the same goddess of fortune.
(5) RADHA SAHASRANAMA -
Shlok 49 and 50 -
विलासिनी वैष्णवी च ब्रह्मलोक-प्रतिष्ठिता
रुक्मिणी रेवती सत्यभामा जाम्बवती तथा
सुलक्ष्मणा मित्रविन्दा कालिन्दी जह्नु-कन्य्का
परिपूर्णा पूर्णतरा तथा हैमवती गतिः
Meaning - She is playful (vilāsinī), Lord Viṣṇu's companion (vaiṣṇavī), the predominating goddess of the spiritual world (brahmaloka-pratiṣṭhitā), Rukmiṇī, Revatī, Satyabhāmā, and Jāmbavatī. She is Sulakṣmaṇā, Mitravindā, Kālindī, Jāhnavī (jahnu-kanykā), most perfect (paripūrṇā and pūrṇatarā), Goddess Pārvatī (haimavatī), and the supreme goal of life (gati).
Now this further proves that Radha Rani and the Ashtbharyas are one.
(6) GARG SAMHITA -
"Whenever in the past I incarnated in the world, the goddess of fortune would also incarnate as my queen. This time she will incarnate as My sixteen-thousand queens." (Canto-1, ch-5)
In Garg Samhita, Radha Rani and Rukmini ji even praise each other.
Even Harivansh claims the same that all 16108 wives of his are forms of Shri.
(7) BHAGVAT PURAN -
"O hero among the Kuru, the Supreme Lord Himself, Govinda, married King Bhishmaka's daughter, Vaidarbhi Rukmini, who was a direct expansion of the Goddess of fortune." (10.52.16)
"Dwarka's citizens were overjoyed to see Krishna, the Lord of all opulence, united with Rukmini, the Goddess of fortune Rama." (10.54.60)
So Radha Rani is described as goddess of Fortune, and so is Rukmini ji.
→CONCLUSION -
So in my conclusion Radha Rani and the Ashtbharyas are one.
Shri always stays with Narayan, taking various forms in his Leela. In the Leela of Braj, Shri is Radha, in the Leela of Yogeshwar Shri is Ashtbharya and the 16100 wives.
Some of you may agree to this, some may not. But one truth that all must accept is that Ashtbharyas are Lakshmi, and they are the wives of Shri Krishna, those who consider Krishna as their Swami, must consider Ashtbharyas as their Swaminis, because that's the reality.
Do you think if you insult Ashtbharyas then Krishna will be happy at you ?
And for your well being I am warning you, do not insult Shri in any form. When Bhrighu Rishi kicked the chest of Narayan, he insulted Mata Lakshmi as she resides in his heart.
Mata left her own abode Vaikunth, and you think she will stay with you even after you disrespect her ? Oh my misguided friend, do not make this audacious mistake.
□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
A/N
Now I hope you decide what's good for you 🙃