The legend tells us that all these 16,108 women were kidnapped by the evil Narakasura. After the long imprisonment, when Narakasura was defeated by Sri Krishna, the women, though free were homeless and helpless with no one ready to accept them. There, the protective Vishnu in Sri Krishna came to the fore and married all of them, instating them as respectable queens of his Kingdom. But that is just the story, the real meaning lies behind it. This multitude of women symbolizes the whole of mankind. Read more: http://thevishnuexperience.com/category/janamashthami/