AshtMahasakhi - Shri Radha's Eternal Friends
Shri Radha Rani has eight most intimate eternal friends. They are called asht maha sakhi (Devanagari: अष्ट महासखी ISO15919: aṣṭa mahāsakhī). They are eternal personal associates and confidantes of Shri Radha.
They are swansh of Shri Radha. Means they are expansions of Shri Radha. Their spiritual status is higher than that is Brahma Vishnu Shankar the Tridev who govern the whole brahmanda.
Each of these friends serve the Divine Couple - Shri Radha Krishna in their own unique way.
Here is the brief introduction of these Asht Maha Sakhis
- Lalita (Devanagari: ललिता ISO15919: lalitā) is chief of all the 8 Maha Sakhis. Lalita Sakhi astutely speculates the amorous feelings of Shri Radha Madhav and ingeniously catalyzes them to act accordingly for each other. Her complexion is yellowish-white similar to the sandalwood-paste. Her favorite color of outfits is peacock -feather. Her main service (Seva) is to feed seasoned and beautifully folded betel-leaves to Shyama Shyam.
- Vishakha(Devanagari: विशाखा ISO15919: viśākhā) is most-treasured by the entire group of sakhis. Her complexion is fair and bright like the lightening. She likes to wear the garments, which remit the beauty of stars. She dresses up the divine couple in beautiful clothes of various colors. She is well versed in all kinds of arts of love-lilas. She adores Shri Radha Rani extremely.
- Chittra (Devanagari: चित्रलेखा ISO15919: citralekhā) Her complexion is pink and her beauty shuns the beauty of millions of Kamdev. She likes to wear golden color clothes. She is an expert in offering a variety of most refreshing juices with fragrances which Priya-Priyatam would love and enjoy. Chittra Sakhi is very jovial and knows how to please Yugal Sarkar with her witticisms.
- Champaklata (Devanagari: चम्पकलता ISO15919: campakalatā) - Complexion of Champaklata is beautiful like the champak flower. She wears the most fascinating clothes of the color of sky. She is expert in preparing ever new varieties of scrumptious food for Shri Radha Krishna. She is well versed in pranks of love. Hence she talks to Them correspondingly to make them happy.
- Tungvidya (Devanagari: तुङ्गविद्या ISO15919: tuṅgavidyā) - Personified Beauty is put to shame when compared with the infinite beauty and fair complexion of Tungavidya. She looks beautiful in yellow silken clothes. She entertains Priya Priyatam by singing various ragas along with their respective alaap and taan and plays various instruments. She is mostly found in the coterie of Shri Radha Krishna.
- Indulekha (Devanagari: इन्दुलेखा ISO15919: indulekhā) She is very popular amongst all the sakhis. Her complexion is dark yellow like turmeric. She wears red clothes. She teaches the esoteric secrets of divine love to The Divine Couple Shri Radha - Krishna. She is expert in many arts of hypnotism and mesmerism as well, which immensely entertains Yugal Sarkar.
- Rangdevi (Devanagari: रङ्गदेवी ISO15919: raṅgadevī) - The body of Sakhi Rangdevi is emanates the fragrance of lotus flower. Her beautiful red complexion is as charming as the flower Japakusum. She wears clothes of extremely beautiful color like that of indravadhuti (a scarlet-red velvety insect). She is exceptional in adorning Priya Priyatam with various jewels and ornaments. She is always with Radha Rani like a shadow.
- Sudevi (Devanagari: सुदेवी ISO15919: sudevī) - Complexion of Sakhi Sudevi is bright like lightening, which pilfers the heart of cupid. Her outfit of green / saffron color enhances her beauty so much, as she is the essence of beauty. Her expertise at braiding hair fascinates Yugal Sarkar. She also puts collyrium artistically filling the cores of Their eyes exquisitely. She is favorite of both Radha and Krishna.
