There are four types of sakhis:
1. Svapaksa- Sva-paksa means those sakhis who are absolutely on the side of Sri Radha Rani like
Lalita and Visakha.
2. Vipaksa- Vipaksa means those gopis who are totally on the opposite side of Radha Rani like
Candravali
3. Tatastha- Tatastha means those who are neutral towards Sri Radha Rani and more favorably
inclined towards Candravali like Bhadra.
4. Suhrt- Suhrt means those who are more favorably disposed towards Srimati Radhika and neutral
towards Candravali like Syamala.
Eight Sakhi’s (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
Out of the hundreds of thousands of gopis, eight prominent ones 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 dearest to Krishna.
1. Lalita Sakhi
Of the eight sakhis (main gopis) Lalita Devi in the main sakhi. She is the leader and best of the eight main
gopis. She is 27 days older than Sri Radharani. She is the constant companion and follower of Sri
Radharani.
She is a dear friend of Sri Radharani. Her complexion is bright yellow. 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 Chandravali.
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is contrary and hot-tempered by nature (vama-prakhara);
has a bright yellow complexion like pigment gorochana;
wears garments like peacock feathers;
has long beautiful, plaited hair;
Personifies khandita bhava.
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 hottempered 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.