Asta Sakhis of Radharani

Lalitä-Sakhé

Gaura lila -

• Gadadhara Pandit
• Ramananda Raya
• Dhruvananda Brahmacari

Father: Viçoka
Mother: Säradé-devi
Husband: Bhairava gopa (close friend of Govardhana gopa)
Home: Yavat
Age: 14 years 8 months 27 days old? / or twenty-seven
days older than Çrématé Rädhikä

Lalita devi,

• is contrary and hot-tempered by nature (vama-prakhara);
• has a complexion like the yellow pigment gorocana;
• wears garments like peacock feathers;
• has long beautiful, plaited hair;
• personifies khandita bhava.

Of the eight Varistha (the most exalted) gopis, Lalita devi is the best. She is a dear friend of the Divine Couple and she is the eldest of Krsna's gopi friends.

She is the leader of the parama-preñöha-sakhés; she instructs and directs all the sakhés; she understands all the different moods of loving affairs; and she is expert in the tactics of union and separation in the matter of prema If by chance Kåñëa ever commits any offense toward Çré Rädhä Lalitä is quick to rebuke Him, raising her head in anger.

Lalita is famous as Srimati Radharani's constant companion and follower.

The 8 principal sakhis in Lalitäs group are:

Ratnarekha -Ratikalä - Subhadrä - Bhadra rekhikä - Sumukhé - Dhaniñöhä - Kala haàsé and Kaläpiné

VISAKHA

Gaura lila - Svarupa Damodara Gosvami /  Ramananda Raya
Father: Pavana
Mother: Daksina-devi (- daughter of Jatila's sister)
Husband: Bahuka-gopa
Age: 14 years 2 months 15 days

• was born at the exact same moment as her dear friend Srimati Radharani appeared in this world;
• is contrary and hot-tempered by nature;
• has a complexion like lightning;
• wears garments decorated with stars;
• is a skilful artist.

She is the second most important of the eight varistha-gopis. Her attributes, activities and resolve are all much like those of her friend Lalita.

CITRA

Gaura lila - Sri Vanamali
Father: Catura (- paternal uncle of Suryamitra);
Mother: Carccika devi;
Husband: Pithara
Age: 14 years 7 months 14 days
Citra,

• has a complexion resembling the color of kunkuma/saffron;
• wears garments the resembling crystal.

Citra is the fourth of the varistha-gopis. When Lord Madhava is full of bliss, she becomes satisfied.

CHAMPAKALATA

Gaura lila - Raghava Gosvami
Father: Candaksa;
Mother: Vatika-devi;
Husband: Arama.
Campakalata,

• is one day younger than Srimati Radharani;
• is contrary and hot-tempered by nature;
• has a complexion the color of yellow campaka flowers;
• wears garments the color of a blue-jay;

Campakalata is the third of the varistha gopis.

RANGADEVI

Gaura lila - Gadadhara Bhatta
Father: Rangasara;
Mother: Karuna devi;
Sister: Sudevi
Rangadevi,

• is seven days younger than Srimati Radharani;
• is contrary and hot-tempered by nature;
• Has a complexion the color of a lotus filament;
• wears garments the color of a red rose.

Rangadevi is the seventh of the varistha gopis.

SUDEVI

Gaura lila - Ananta Acarya Gosvami
Father: Rangasara;
Mother: Karuna devi;
Sister: Rangadevi;
Husband: Vakreksana (- the younger brother of Bhairava);
Sudevi,

• is sweet and charming by nature;
• her form and other qualities are so similar to those of her sister Rangadevi that they are often mistaken for one another.

Sudevi is the eighth of the varistha-gopis.

Tuìgavidyä

Gaura lila - Prabhodhananda Sarasvati
Father: Puskara
Mother: Medha devi
Husband: Balisa

Tungavidya,

• is fifteen days younger than Srimati Radharani;
• is hot-tempered and expert at dissimulation;
• wears white garments;
• has a complexion the color of kunkuma;
• has the fragrance of sandalwood mixed with camphor.

Tungavidya is the fifth of the varistha-gopis.

INDULEKHA

Gaura lila - Krsnadasa Brahmacari
Father: Sagara;
Mother: Vela-devi;
Husband: Durbala
Indulekha,

• is three days younger than Srimati Radharani;
• is contrary and hot-tempered by nature;
• wears garments the color of a pomegranate flower;
• has a tan complexion.

Indulekha is the sixth of the varistha-gopis.

Radhey Radhey