The Gopis
The sadhana siddha gopis, such as the Dandakaranya sages
and other perfected devotees became gopis by engaging in devotional
service. The nitya-siddhas (nitya priya) gopis, such as Radharani
or Candravali, are eternally liberated gopis.
“The pastimes of Srimati Radharani and Krishna
are self-effulgent. They are happiness personified, unlimited and
all-powerful. Even so the spiritual humors of such pastimes are never
complete without the gopis, the Lord’s personal friends. Without
the gopis, these pastimes between Radha and Krishna cannot be nourished.”
(Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 8.203)
“The personal associates of Radharani, the gopi
damsels of Vraja, are direct expansions of Her body. These expansions
of Srimati Radharani are necessary for enhancing the pleasure potency
of Sri Krishna. Their transcendental exchanges of love are the superexcellent
affairs of the pastimes of Vrindavana. By the expansions of Srimati
Radharani’s personal body, She helps Lord Krishna taste the
rasa-dance and similar other activities.” (Caitanya Caritamrita
Adi 4.81 purport)
“All the other gopis help increase the joy of
Krishna’s pastimes with Radharani. The gopis act as instruments
of Their mutual enjoyment.” (Caitanya Caritamrita Adi 4.217)
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. Campakalata Sakhi
4. Citra Sakhi
5. Tungavidya Sakhi
6. Indulekha Sakhi
7. Rangadevi Sakhi
8. Sudevi Sakhi
Candravali
She is Srimati Radharani main competitor for the attention of Krishna.
Srimati Radharani is her cousin. Candravali is the daughter of Candrabhanu,
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, Candravali, Lalita,
Vishakha, Padma, Bhadra, Saibya and Syama. Of these two Radharani
and Candravali are considered most dear. Of these two Radharani is
the most dear to Krishna.
Lalita
Sakti
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 Candravali.
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.
Campakalata
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.
Citra
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.