Idealized royal consort
Idealized royal consort LAKṢMAṆĀ (Lakshmana), Consort of Krishna 1. Introduction Lakṣmaṇā (Sanskrit: लक्ष्मणा , Lakṣmaṇā, also known as Lakshana , is one of the Aṣṭabhāryā —the eight principal queen-consorts of Krishna , king of Dvārakā . While her presence in the Mahābhārata narrative is relatively limited compared to central female figures like Draupadī, Lakṣmaṇā occupies an important symbolic and cultural position , especially through Purāṇic expansions associated with the epic tradition. 2. Brief Biography Lakṣmaṇā is described in the Bhāgavata Purāṇa as the daughter of the ruler of Madra , later identified in the Padma Purāṇa as King Bṛhatsena , who is portrayed as a skilled vīṇā player. She is praised for her virtues and grace. She became one of Krishna’s chief queens through a svayaṃvara , either by abduction (likened to Garuda stealing amṛta) or by Krishna’s victory in an archery contest , depending on the textual version. Lakṣmaṇā later bor...