The Ashtasakhis of Lord of Vrindavanam - A short Introduction

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!! Sri Rama Jayam !!

 

Eight Main Gopis (Asta Sakhis)-

 

These eight are the leaders of all the other gopis. They always serve Radha and

try to please Her in every way. They are the dearest and most beloved friends of

Srimati Radharani. Rupa Gosvami describes the qualities of the eight main gopis

in Radha Krishna Ganodesa Dipika.

 

1. Lalita Sakhi

2. Visakha Sakhi

3. Champakalata Sakhi

4. Citra Sakhi

5. Tungavidya Sakhi

6. Indulekha Sakhi

7. Rangadevi Sakhi

8. Sudevi Sakhi

 

Chandravali -

She is Srimati Radharani main competitor for the attention of Krishna. Srimati

Radharani is her cousin. Chandravali is the daughter of Chandrabhanu, who is the

brother of Vrishabhanu. She lived in the village of Sakhi Sthali near Govardhana

Hill with her husband Govardhana Malla.

 

Out of the hundreds of thousands of gopis, eight are considered most prominent.

They are: Radharani, Chandravali, Lalita, Vishakha, Padma, Bhadra, Saibya and

Syama. Of these two Radharani and Chandravali are considered most dear. Of these

two Radharani is the most dear to Krishna.

 

Lalita Sakhi-

Of the eight sakhis (main gopis) Lalita Devi in the main sakhi. She is 27 days

older than Srimati Radharani. She is the leader and best of the eight main

gopis. She is the constant companion and follower of Srimati Radharani.

 

She is a dear friend of Srimati Radharani. She has a contradictory and

hot-tempered nature. Her complexion is bright yellow. Her garments are the color

of peacock feathers. She is expert at arranging both the meeting of Radha and

Krishna and their conjugal fights.

 

Her mother is Saradi Devi and her father is Vishoka. Her husband is Bhairava,

who is a close friend of Govardhana Malla, the husband of Chandravali.

 

Visakha Sakhi -

She is the second most important gopi of the eight main gopis. Her attributes

are much like Lalita Devi. She was born at exactly the same time as Radharani

appeared. Her complexion is like lighting and her garments are decorated with

stars. She carries messages between Radha and Krishna, and is the most expert

gopi messenger. Her father's name is Pavana, mother is Dakshina and her husband

is Vahika. She is said to be from the village of Kamai.

 

Champakalata Sakhi -

She is one day younger than Radharani. Her complexion is the color of a yellow

campaka flower and she wears garments the color of a blue jay's feather. She is

expert in logical persuasion and is a diplomat, skilled in thwarting Radha's

competitors. She is an expert sweet cook and an artistic potter. Her father is

Arama, mother is Batika, and husband is Candaksha. She is said to be from the

village of Sunthera.

 

Chitra Sakhi -

She is 26 days older than Radharani. She has a red complexion like kumkum and

wears crystal colored garments. Citra can read between the lines and understand

an author's hidden intentions. She has a very mild nature and has a saffron

complexion. She is a trained cook and can make a variety of nectar drinks. She

is learned in astronomy and astrology, and is a skilled gardener. She makes

garlands. Her father's name is Catura, Mother Carvika and husband is Pithara.

She is said to be from the village of Chiksoli, 1½ km southwest of Varsana.

 

Tungavidya Sakhi -

She is 15 days younger than Srimati Radharani. She is the color of kumkum and

wears white garments. Tungavidya is hot tempered. She is learned in eighteen

branches of Vedic knowledge. She is a celebrated music teacher, and an expert

singer and vina player. She is expert at arranging the meeting of Radha and

Krishna. Her birthplace is said to be the village of Dabharo (Damala). Her

father is Paushkara, Mother is Medha and husband is Balisha.

 

Indulekha Sakhi -

She is three days younger than Srimati Radharani. She has a tan complexion and

wears garments that are pomegranate color. She displays a hot temper and a

contrary nature. She carries messages that cause Radha and Krishna to be

attracted to each other and she knows Radha and Krishna's confidential secrets.

She knows the science of palmistry and gemology. Her father's name is Sagara,

mother is Bela and husband is Durbala. She is said to be from the village of

Anjanak.

 

Rangadevi Sakhi -

She is seven days younger than Srimati Radharani. She has a complexion that is

similar to the hue of a lotus filament and wears garments that are the color of

a rose. She has a " bama " , contrary and hot-tempered nature. She jokes with Radha

in front of Krishna. She is expert in using perfumes and cosmetics, and burning

fragrant incenses. Because of previous austerities she knows a mantra that can

attract Krishna.

 

Sudevi Sakhi -

She looks so much like Srimati Radharani that she is mistaken for being Her

sister. She has a golden complexion and wears coral color clothing. She is

always beside Radharani and arranges Her hair, decorates Her eyes and massages

Her. She is expert at training parrots, oil body massages, reading omens,

gardening and decorating couches. Her father's name is Rangasara and mother's is

Karuna. She is said to be from the village of Bajhera. Rangadevi is her twin

sister.

 

Ananga Manjari -

She is the younger sister of Srimati Radharani. She follows her sister like a

shadow. She is thirteen years old and her complexion is gold colored. She wears

clothes the color of a blue lotus flower. She serves both as a maid servant

manjari and as a gopi group leader. Ananga Manjari is an expansion of Balarama

to serve Krishna in the intimate conjugal pastimes.

 

Manjaris -

The manjaris are 10 to 14 years old, which is a few years younger than Srimati

Radharani. The manjaris do not mix with Krishna directly. Their sole purpose is

to unite Radha and Krishna and render various services. The Six Gosvamis have

manjari forms. Sri Rupa Manjari (Rupa Gosvami) is directly under Lalita sakhi,

who oversees thousands of manjaris.

 

" It is very difficult to express the manjaris' dealing with Krishna because they

have no desire to mix with Krishna or to enjoy Him personally. Rather, they are

always ready to help Radharani associate with Krishna. Their affection for

Krishna and Radharani is so pure that they are simply satisfied when Radha and

Krishna are together. Indeed their transcendental pleasure is in seeing Radha

and Krishna united. The actual form of Radharani is just like a creeper

embracing the tree of Krishna, and the damsels of Braja, the associates of

Radharani, are just like the leaves and flowers of that creeper. " (Teaching of

Lord Caitanya)

Eight main manjaris are Rupa Manjari, Rati Manjari, Rasa Manjari, Labanga

Manjari, Guna Manjari, Manjulali Manjari, Kasturi Manjari, Vilasa Manjari.

 

Source : http://www.naturalnirvana.com/Braja-Mandala/Braja-Spiritual/Gopis.htm

 

Hare Krishna

Hare Rama