By Brahma prabhu – http://www.swami.org/sanga

Question:     I am an Indian student studying in Sweden. Sir I have a small question frequently asked by many non-hindu students. Why God Krishna married so many women? I try to tell them that all those women are one and the same, and God shows in this way that his heart is for everybody who follows him. But If you have a more better answer, please mail me.
Sincerely ******

Answer:      Dear *****,

Your answer is correct. The theology of Krishna and his consorts is explained in the Bhagavatam and the Bhagavatam is founded on the conclusion of the Bhagavad-Gita. That conclusion is aham sarvasya prabhavo- Krishna is the source of everything-mattah sarvam pravartate-everything eminates from Krishna-iti matva bajante mam budha bhava samanvitah-those who know this perfectly worship Krishna with feeling. (Bg 10.8)

This verse explains that everything is the energy of Krishna and that his energy is simultaneously one with and different from him. The energy of God is called shakti and can be divided into maya shakti (illusory energy), svarupa shakti (internal energy) and jiva shakti (individual souls). Radha is the personification of Krishna's svarupa shakti (internal energy). She is Krishna (God) dancing with his own internal energy. She is the feminine aspect of God-love of God personified-God in love with Himself.

In Krishna's Vrndavana lila she expands as all the gopis and on into Dwarka lila she expands as Rukmini who then expands as all the wives of Krishna. So you are correct when you say that all the consorts of Krishna are one and the same. Not only that but as Radha-Krishna are one so Laxmi-Narayana are one with them. Laxmi-Narayana then expand as Shiva and Durga. In this way all are one-all are Krishna-and all are taking part in the Inconceivable Dance of Divine Love. Bhagavad Gita confirms this-mamatma bhuta bhavanah-I (Krishna) am the source of all manifestations.

We are also meant to take part in the Divine dance. The living entities are also part and parcel of Krishna but we are infinitesimal particles of his energy (jiva shakti) so we can take part as servants and assistants. Keep in mind that the conception of God dancing with himself is in many ways inconceivable (achintya) and as such it cannot be accepted by the faithless. Those who have devotion can understand it to a certain extent. Gita 11.54 says only those who are devoted can know (jnatum), see (drastum), and enter into (pravestum) this Dance of Divine Love.

Others can be taught to conceive of Radha-Krishna and the gopis as a metaphor for the love that can be shared between God (the supreme soul) and the countless souls of this world.

I hope this is helpful,
Sanga Editor

For more information please read these sangas from Swami Tripurari

Bhagavad-gita Leads to Vrndavana
http://swami.org/sanga/archives/pages/volume_four/m204.html

With The Help Of The Demons
http://swami.org/sanga/archives/pages/vnn/ET16-3063.html