Ashta Sakhis of Radha Rani: Names, Qualities and Their Divine Seva

Who Are the Ashta Sakhis of Radha Rani?

The Ashta Sakhis of Radha Rani are the eight most prominent and exalted gopis who serve the divine couple in their confidential loving pastimes. There are thousands of gopis who serve in the divine pastimes, but these eight sakhis (varistha gopis) are the closest to Srimati Radharani. Radha Rani expands herself into eight sakhis to increase and diversify the ways in which loving service and pleasure can be offered to Krishna.

Names of the Eight Sakhis of Radha Rani

1. Lalita Sakhi

Lalita is the chief among all the sakhis of Vrindavan, who has a golden complexion and wears garments colored like peacock feathers. Her eternal age is 14 years, 8 months, and 27 days. Her father’s name is Visokha and her mother’s name is Sarada Devi; her husband is Bhairava, and she lives in a village near Barsana.

She is known for her bold, protective, and occasionally aggressive nature. She always takes the side of Radha Rani and frequently argues with Krishna in verbal debates, and Krishna is said to be quite afraid of her. Lalita is highly skilled in performing magic tricks and arranging meetings to unite Radha and Krishna. Her favorite instrument is veena, and she plays it in Bhairav raag.

2. Vishakha Sakhi

Vishakha Sakhi is the second most prominent of the Ashta Sakhis. She has a brilliant, lightning-like complexion and wears garments adorned with shining stars. Her age is 14 years, 2 months, and 15 days, which is the same age as Radha Rani, and she shares her exact appearance on Radhashtami. Her parents are Pavan Gopa and Daksina Devi, and her village is Kamai.

She is highly intelligent, playful, and an expert counselor. Her divine seva is to decorate the Divine Couple, apply camphor and sandalwood paste to their bodies, and paint beautiful flower designs on their faces. She loves playing mridanga for the service of Radha and Krishna.

3. Champaklata Sakhi

Champaklata is the third most prominent sakhi, who is one day younger than Radha Rani. Her body is of a yellow-white complexion like a champa flower, and she wears garments of a brilliant blue gem shade. Her father’s name is Arama and her mother’s name is Vatika Devi, and she lives in a village named Karahal.

She is an expert in cooking delightful preparations and sweets, and is also called Misti Hasta, or sweet hands. Champaklata is highly skilled in pottery and playing the sarangi instrument, and she loves collecting fruits and flowers from the forest. Her favorite instrument is the sarangi.

4. Chitra Sakhi

Chitra is the fourth main sakhi, with a beautiful saffron complexion, and she wears green, crystal-colored garments. She is 26 days older than Radha Rani. Her father’s name is Chatur, her mother’s name is Charchika Devi, and she lives in the village of Chiksoli.

She is an expert in playing sitar, painting, astrology, astronomy, and all languages. She has a special quality to judge the exact ingredients, spices, and taste of any food or drink just by looking at it. Her seva is to prepare flower garlands and blend special honey milk juices.

5. Tungavidya Sakhi

Tungavidya is the fifth most prominent of the Ashta Sakhis. She has a complexion of dark red like kumkum powder, and she wears a white silken garment. Her body naturally emanates a beautiful fragrance of camphor and sandalwood. Tungavidya is 15 days older than Radha Rani. Her parents are Puskar and Medha Devi, and she lives in the village of Dabhara.

Tungavidya is extremely learned in Vedic knowledge, moral science, and drama. She acts as an advisor and drama supervisor for the gopis. Her service is bringing water from the holy streams of Vrindavan. She lovingly serves the divine couple by playing veena while singing in Marga giti style.

6. Indulekha Sakhi

Indulekha is the sixth most prominent of the sakhis of Vrindavan. Her bodily complexion is tanned golden, and wears bright red garments resembling pomegranate flowers. Her father’s name is Sagar, and her mother is Vela Devi, who lives in a village of Anjana.

She is highly skilled in the science of gemstones and fashioning artistic ornaments. Her role is that of the chief messenger of Radha Rani and is trusted with Radha Krishna’s most confidential secrets. She is an expert at playing her favorite instrument, the kartals, and serves by singing and playing them.

7. Rangadevi Sakhi

Rangadevi is the seventh main sakhi and is the identical twin sister of Sudevi. Her bodily complexion is reddish yellow, similar to that of a lotus filament, and she wears red garments just like a hibiscus flower. She is 7 days younger than Radha Rani. She is the daughter of Rangasara and Karuna and lives in the village of Sunhera.

Rangadevi is an expert in making perfumes, incense, and applying sandalwood paste to the divine couple. Her seva is to style Radha Rani’s long hair with flowers. In the summer, she fans Radha and Krishna, and in the winter she lights fires to keep them warm.

8. Sudevi Sakhi

Sudevi is the eighth most prominent of Ashta Sakhis and the identical twin sister of Rangadevi. She is half a day younger than her twin sister. Her bodily complexion and garments are identical to his sister Rangadevi. She is born to Rangasara and Karunga and lives in Sunhera village.

Sudevi is an expert in massaging, sailing boats, and training male and female parrots. She serves the divine couple by playing musical bells and veena.

Why Are the Ashta Sakhis Called Parama-Prestha Sakhis?

The word parama means “supreme,” while prestha means “very dear” or “most dear.” Together, parama-prestha means “supremely dear” or “most dear.” The eight sakhis of Radha Rani are therefore known as the parama-prestha sakhis because of their unparalleled, exalted, and highly confidential position in the eternal pastimes of Radha and Krishna.

The Ashta Sakhis are so dear to Shrimati Radharani that she never leaves them even in her confidential pastimes with Krishna. These eight sakhis always make different arrangements to unite Radha and Krishna. Their only business is to satisfy their mistress, Radha Rani.

Conclusion

Ashta Sakhis are the expansion of Radha Rani, which provides different tastes or rasas to Krishna. They all are expert in music, art, dance, and every skill to satisfy Radha and Krishna. Without caring for personal interest, their only business is to satisfy the divine couple, which pleases them the most.