Shri Krishna and the Importance of Number 8 in His Life!

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Bhagwan Shri Krishna is known as Purna Purush (a complete man). It meant he had all the qualities of a man or what is expected of a man. He was a master of 16 kalas and owner of all 8 forms of Lakshmi that made him a Purna Purush. He constantly inspires human beings through his teachings. It is said, that there is no greater artisan, politician, leader, administrator, teacher, guide, or guru than Krishna. His life has been intriguing from the time of his birth. The automatic opening of the lock-up cell doors, and the protection provided by Adi Sheshnaag when Vasudev was shifting him to Gokul were intriguing events during his birth. But these were not all, his life is full of such fascinating events. Even his association with number 8 is one. It was not a mere coincidence that most of his life’s events were associated with the number 8, but it tells about his infinite power, as the 8 is a sign of infinity.

Right from the time of his birth or can we say even before he was about to take birth, number 8 started playing a significant role in Bhagwan Sri Krishna’s life.

Here you can see some:

• He was born on Ashtami tithi (eighth day) in the month of Bhadrapad (August-September as per the English calendar)
• This Supreme Deity of the Hindu pantheon is the eighth Avatar (incarnation) of Shri Vishnu.
• He was the eighth child born to his mother- Devaki.
• He is offered eight different sweetmeats (bhog) during Shri Krishna Janmashtami.
• The Bhagavad Gita has eight chapters in total, delivered by Bhagwan Shri Krishna himself to Arjuna in Mahabharat, during the Kurukshetra War.
• His main 8 Sakhis or Gopikas were: Lalita, Visakha, Chitralekha, Champakalata, Tungavidya, Indulekha, Rangadevi, and Sudevi.
• Sri Krishna had 8 principal wives known as Ashta-Bharyas: namely, Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Nagnajiti, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Bhadra, and Lakshmana.
• He lived for 125 years (1+2+5 = 8)
• He had 80 sons (8+0 = 8)
• He had 16100 additional wives (he married them just to protect them from Narakasur). (1+6+1+0+0 = 8).
• He is skilled in 8 Rasas (emotions, different moods), love, humour, sadness, anger, courage, fear, horror, and wonder. So he is also called the master of Rasleela.
• He is also known as Yogiraj as he is the master of Ashtanga yoga (8 yogas). Ashtanga yoga is the yoga of the eight limbs, also called the eight-limbed yoga. This is believed to be the complete form of yoga.
• The best form of salutation to Shri Krishna is Shashtanga Namaskaram (the eight-fold salutation.
• Mata Lakshmi is the consort of Shri Hari Vishnu. There are 8 forms of Lakshmi, known as Ashtalaxmi, namely Adi Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi and Vidya Lakshmi. Only a man blessed with all the eight forms of Lakshmi is considered a Purna Purusha (complete man). These eight forms of Lakshmi are the eight Shaktis of Bhagwan Vishnu (one of the Tridevs). In Shri Krishna’s incarnation, these eight forms became his eight wives. So, it is also said, that he is the owner of these eight forms of Lakshmi.

If you want more insight into the significance of number 8 in astrology and numerology, you can talk to our astrologers here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  How many avatars (incarnations) does Shri Vishnu Bhagavan have? 

A: According to Sanatan Hindu scriptures, Vishnu Bhagwan has 10 avatars.

Q: Which are the prominent Avatars of Bhagawan Vishnu?

A: 4 of the 10 avatars are the most prominent – Varaha Avatar, Narasimha Avatar, Shri Ram Avatar and Shri Krishna Avatar.

Q: What number avatar was Shri Krishna?

A: Shri Krishna was the eighth avatar of Shri Vishnu.

Q: Why do Shri Vishnu Avatars appear on earth from time to time? 

A: As Shri Krishna says says in Bhagavad Gita, Adhyaya 4, Shloka 7 and 8:

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।

अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥४-७॥

परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् ।

धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥४-८॥

Meaning: Whenever There Is A Decline In Righteousness And An Increase In Sinfulness, O Arjun, At That Time I Manifest Myself On Earth.