The Gopis

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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 SrimatiRadharani. 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

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

Radharani is her cousin. Candravali is the daughter of Candrabhanu, who is the

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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 twoRadharani is the most dear to Krishna.

Lalita SaktiOf 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 SakhiShe 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 SakhiShe 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 SakhiShe 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

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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 SakhiShe 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 SakhiShe 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 scienceof 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 SakhiShe 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 SakhiShe 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 ManjariShe 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.

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ManjarisThe 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.

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The Gopis