Oantree at 17:14, 19 February 2026

2026-02-19T17:14:46Z

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{{short description|Group of eight closest companions of Radha-Krishna}}

{{Infobox deity 
| type = Hindu
| name = Ashtasakhi
| other_names = Ashtagopi
| image = RadhaKrishna with Ashtasakhi2.jpg
| caption = [[Radha Krishna]] at centre with Ashtasakhi
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Aṣṭasakhī
| Devanagari = अष्टसखी
| affiliation = {{bulleted list|[[Gopi]]||[[Avatar]] of [[Radha]]|[[Krishnaism]]}}
| abode = [[Goloka]], [[Vrindavan]], [[Barsana]]
| consort = [[Krishna]]
| festivals = [[Holi]], [[Sharad Purnima]], [[Kartik Purnima]], [[Lathmar Holi]]
| gender = Female
| dynasty = [[Yadu dynasty|Yaduvamsha]]-[[Chandravamsha]]
| member_of = [[Gopis]]
| venerated_in = [[Radha Vallabh Sampradaya]], [[Nimbarka Sampradaya]], [[Gaudiya Vaishnavism]], [[Pushtimarg]], Haridasi Sampradaya
| temple = Sri Radha Rasbihari Ashtasakhi Temple, Vrindavan
| region = [[Braj region]]
}}
{{Vaishnavism}}
The '''Ashtasakhi''' ({{langx|sa|अष्टसखी}}, {{IAST3|Ashtāsākhi}}) are a group of eight prominent [[gopi]]s and close associates of the [[Hindu deities]] [[Radha Krishna|Radha-Krishna]] in the [[Braj|Braj region]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Vemsani |first=Lavanya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4fw2DAAAQBAJ&dq=ashtasakhi+tungavidya&pg=PA107 |title=Krishna in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Hindu Lord of Many Names: An Encyclopedia of the Hindu Lord of Many Names |date=2016-06-13 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-61069-211-3 |pages=107 |language=en}}</ref> In many sub-traditions of [[Krishnaism]], they are revered as goddesses and consorts of Krishna. According to the [[Padma Purana]], the Ashtasakhi are the eternal female companions of [[Radha]] and [[Krishna]] in the [[Dvapara Yuga]], with whom they descended upon the earth from their celestial abode of [[Goloka]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Callewaert |first1=Winand M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GrMwdEqHLzEC&q=sakhi&pg=PA43 |title=According to Tradition: Hagiographical Writing in India |last2=Snell |first2=Rupert |date=1994 |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag |isbn=978-3-447-03524-8 |pages=59–62 |language=en}}</ref>

The popular list of Ashtasakhi include: Lalita, Vishaka, Champaklata, Chitra, Tungavidhya, Induleka, Rangadevi, and Sudevi.<ref name=":1">{{Citation |title=Tantra and some Śaiva Thinkers |date=2015 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.5040/9781474243063.0022 |work=An Introduction to Indian Philosophy |access-date=2023-07-06 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic|doi=10.5040/9781474243063.0022 |isbn=978-1-4725-2476-8 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=gaudiya |date=2021-08-07 |title=Ashta Sakhi of Radha - 8 Principal Gopis of Vrindavan |url=https://thegaudiyatreasuresofbengal.com/2021/08/07/ashta-sakhi-of-sri-radha-eight-gopis-of-vrindavan/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=The Gaudiya Treasures of Bengal |language=en-US}}</ref> All of these eight prominent gopis are regarded to be an expansion of [[Radha]], the chief consort of [[Krishna]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gita Press |url=http://archive.org/details/padma-puran-gita-press |title=Padma Purana (पद्म पुराण) - Gita Press |pages=570–572}}</ref>

== Description ==
[[File:RadhaKrishna&Ashtasakhis.jpg|thumb|Ashtasakhi with [[Radha Krishna]] at Sri Radha Rasbihari Ashtasakhi Temple, [[Vrindavan]]]]
'''[[Lalita (gopi)|Lalita]]''': Out of eight prominent sakhi, Lalita is the foremost sakhi. She is the eldest gopi among Ashtasakhi and is 27 days older than Radha. She was born to her parents Visoka (father) and Saradi (mother) in Unchagaon, near [[Barsana]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-05 |title=Lalita Sakhi- The Guru of Gopis! |url=https://www.mayapur.com/2019/lalita-sakhi-the-guru-of-gopis/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=Mayapur.com }}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> A temple called ''Sri Lalita Sakhi Temple, Unchagaon'' is situated in her village which is dedicated to her. In Radha-Krishna pastimes, it is the duty of Lalita to pacify Radha when she feels separation from Krishna and then arrange a meeting of Radha-Krishna. In [[Kali Yuga|Kaliyuga]], [[Swami Haridas]], the popular saint and musician of Vrindavan is said to be the incarnation of Lalita. He manifested the idol of [[Banke Bihari Temple|Banke Bihari]] in [[Nidhivan, Vrindavan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Unchagaon |url=https://iskcondesiretree.com/page/unchagaon |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=iskcondesiretree.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Lalita Sakhi |url=https://iskcondesiretree.com/page/sri-lalita-sakhi |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=iskcondesiretree.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q1cvAAAAYAAJ |title=The Color Guide to Vr̥ndāvana: India's Most Holy City of Over 5,000 Temples |date=2000 |publisher=Vedanta Vision Publication |language=en}}</ref>

'''Vishaka''': The second prominent gopi is the Vishaka. The service Visakha renders is ''Vastralankara'' or arranging for the clothing and ornamentation of the divine couple. She is exactly the same age as Radha.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Mataji |first=Padmavati |date=2010 |title=Sri Vishaka devi. |url=https://iskcondesiretree.com/groups/shriashtasakhiji/forum/sri-vishaka-devi |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=ISKCON Desire Tree}}</ref> Vishakaha is believed to be born in Kamai village to her parents Pavana (father) and Vahika (mother).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Institute |first=Mayapur |date=2016-09-10 |title=Appearance of Srimati Vishakha Devi |url=https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/appearance-of-srimati-vishakha-devi |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=ISKCON Desire Tree {{!}} IDT}}</ref> In Kaliyuga, [[Hariram Vyas|Swami Hariram Vyas]] is believed to be the incarnation of Vishakha. A temple dedicated to Vishaka called ''Sri Vishakha Radha Raman Bihariji Temple'' is situated in her village Kamai, [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref name=":2" />

'''Champaklata''': Champaklata is the third most senior gopi in group of Ashtasakhi. She is born to her mother Vatika Devi and father Arama in Karahla village in Braj region. Champaklata is one day younger than Radha and her primary service includes collecting fruits and vegetables from forest and then cooking meals for the divine couple Radha-Krishna. A temple dedicated to Chapaklata called, ''Sri Champaklata Sakhi Temple'' is situated in Karhala, Uttar Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Institute |first=Mayapur |date=2016-09-10 |title=Appearance of Srimati Champakalata Sakhi |url=https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/appearance-of-srimati-champakalata-sakhi |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=ISKCON Desire Tree}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Desire Tree |first=Iskcon |date=2018-09-20 |title=Campakalata Devi- The Expert Debater |url=https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/campakalata-devi-the-expert-debater-4 |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=ISKCON Desire Tree {{!}} IDT}}</ref> In [[Pushtimarg]] tradition, Padmanabhdas, disciple of [[Vallabha]]charya, is believed to be the incarnation of Champaklata.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Callewaert |first1=Winand M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GrMwdEqHLzEC&q=sakhi&pg=PA43 |title=According to Tradition: Hagiographical Writing in India |last2=Snell |first2=Rupert |date=1994 |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag |isbn=978-3-447-03524-8 |pages=58 |language=en}}</ref>

'''Chitra''': Chitra is the fourth prominent gopi, who was born to her mother Carcika and father Catura in Chiksauli village, Uttar Pradesh. She is 26 days older than Radha. She is expert in playing music on pots filled with varying degrees of water. She is well versed in the literature related to astronomy and astrology and is also well versed in the theoretical and practical activities of protecting domestic animals. She is especially expert at gardening. A temple known as ''Sri Chitra Sakhi Temple, Chiksauli'' is present in her village and is dedicated to her.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desire Tree |first=Iskcon |date=2020-09-21 |title=Sri Chitra Sakhi Appearance Day |url=https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/sri-chitra-sakhi-appearance-day |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=ISKCON Desire Tree {{!}} IDT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-05 |title=Shri Radharani Ki Asht Sakhiyon Ki Chitra Sahit Jankari |url=https://shrimathuraji.com/shri-radharani-ki-asht-sakhiyon-ki-chitra-sahit-jankari/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=Shri Mathura Ji |language=en-US}}</ref>

'''Tungavidhya''': Tungavidya is the fifth prominent companion in group of Ashtasakhi. She is fifteen days older than Radha and is born to parents Medha-devi (mother) and Puskara (father) in Dabhala village, Uttar Pradesh. She is learned in transcendental mellows, morality, dancing, drama, literature and all other arts and sciences. She is a celebrated music teacher and expert at playing the [[Veena]] and singing.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-09-08 |title=Divine Appearance of Tungavidya Sakhi |url=https://www.mayapur.com/2012/divine-appearance-of-tungavidya-sakhi/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=Mayapur.com}}</ref> A temple called ''Sri Tungavidya Sakhi Temple'' in Dabhala is dedicated to her.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mataji |first=Padmavati |date=2010-11-27 |title=Sri Tungavidya devi. |url=https://iskcondesiretree.com/groups/shriashtasakhiji/forum/sri-tungavidya-devi |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=ISKCON Desire Tree}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tungavidya |url=http://www.vrindavan.de/tungavidya.htm |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=www.vrindavan.de}}</ref>

'''Indulekha''': Induleka is the sixth prominent sakhi. She is born to her father Sagara and mother Vela Devi in Anjanoka village, Uttar Pradesh. Her main service is to prepare food for Radha-Krishna and some authorities say that another of her primary services is dancing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desire Tree |first=ISKCON |date=2022-09-07 |title=Appearance of Sri Indulekha Sakhi |url=https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/appearance-of-sri-indulekha-sakhi |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=ISKCON Desire Tree {{!}} IDT}}</ref> Indulekha is three days younger than Radha. A temple called ''Sri Indulekha Sakhi temple'' in Anjanoka is dedicated to her.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mataji |first=Padmavati |date=2010-11-27 |title=Sri Indulekha devi. |url=https://iskcondesiretree.com/groups/shriashtasakhiji/forum/sri-indulekha-devi |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=ISKCON Desire Tree {{!}} IDT}}</ref>

'''Rangadevi''': Rangadevi is the seventh prominent gopi in Ashtasakhi. She was born to her parents Karuna-devi (mother) and Rangasara (father) in Rakholi. She is seven days younger than Radha. Her characteristics are similar to Champaklata. She is an expert logician and fond of joking with Radha in presence of Krishna. Her services include burning the aromatic incense, carrying coal during the winter and fanning the divine couple in the summer. A temple called ''Sri Radha Manohar Rangadevi Temple'' is present in Rakholi and is dedicated to her.<ref>{{Cite web |last=mataji |first=Padmavati |date=2010-11-27 |title=Sri Rangadevi. |url=https://iskcondesiretree.com/groups/shriashtasakhiji/forum/sri-rangadevi |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=ISKCON Desire Tree {{!}} IDT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rangadevi |url=http://www.vrindavan.de/rangadevi.htm |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=www.vrindavan.de}}</ref>

'''Sudevi''': The last prominent gopi in group of Ashtasakhi is Sudevi. She is the twin sister of Rangadevi Sakhi and is born to mother Karuna-devi and father Rangasara in Rakholi. She is also seven days younger than Radha. In between Rangadevi and Sudevi, Rangadevi is elder than Sudevi by half day. Her main service is to offer water to the divine couple.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desire Tree |first=Iskcon |date=2019-09-13 |title=Appearance Day of the Transcendental Twins: Rangadevi and Sudevi |url=https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/appearance-day-of-the-transcendental-twins-rangadevi-and-sudevi |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=ISKCON Desire Tree {{!}} IDT}}</ref> A temple dedicated to Sudevi is situated in Sunhera village, Radhanagri district, Rajasthan and the temple is called ''Sri Sudevi Sakhi Temple''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=rkwgallery |date=2021-07-16 |title=श्री सुदेवी जी |url=https://radhekrishnaworld.com/sudevisakhi/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=RadheKrishnaWorld |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Symbolism ==
[[File:RadhaKrishna with Ashtasakhi.jpg|thumb|upright|Radha Krishna with Ashtasakhi]]
In [[Vaishnavism]], the gopis are known for their selfless love and dedication towards Krishna. They sometimes symbolize the yearning of the human soul for God. According to the [[Skanda Purana]], the Ashtasakhi are the most prominent eight gopis out of millions of gopis of Radha-Krishna. They are an integral part of [[Raslila]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Meitei |first1=Sanjenbam Yaiphaba |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c276DwAAQBAJ&dq=Ashta+Sakhi&pg=PT73 |title=The Cultural Heritage of Manipur |last2=Chaudhuri |first2=Sarit K. |last3=Arunkumar |first3=M. C. |date=2020-11-25 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-000-29637-2 |language=en}}</ref> In [[Shaktism]], the Ashtasakhi are sometimes considered as the embodiment of the ''[[Ashta siddhi|Ashta Siddhis]]'' (Aṇimā, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prāpti, Prākāmya, Iṣiṭva, and Vaśitva).<ref name=":1" />

== Traditions ==
[[File:Temple image for Krishna worship.jpg|thumb|right|[[Shrinathji]] (a form of Krishna venerated in Pushtimarg - center) with Ashtasakhis.]]

In many Krishnaism traditions, Ashtasakhi are worshipped and through them Radha-Krishna are approached. Ashtasakhi play pivotal role in beliefs and practices of [[Vallabha]]charya's [[Pushtimarg|Pushtimarg Sampradaya]], [[Swami Haridas]]'s Haidasi Sampradaya, [[Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu]]'s [[Radha Vallabh Sampradaya]], [[Chaitanya Mahaprabhu]]'s [[Gaudiya Vaishnavism|Gaudiya Vaishnav Sampradaya]], [[Kripalu Maharaj]]'s [[Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat|Jagat Guru Kripalu Parishat]] and [[Nimbarkacharya|Nimabarkacharya]]'s [[Nimbarka Sampradaya]].<ref>{{Cite thesis |title=Reading the medieval in the modern : the living tradition of hagiography in the Vallabh sect of contemporary Gujarat |url=https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/handle/2152/86520 |date=2014-05-14 |degree=Thesis |language=en |first=Emilia |last=Bachrach}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Goel |first=Swati |date=2016-09-28 |title=Political and Merchant Devotees : Multiple facets of pilgrimage to the medieval region of Braj (16th and 17th centuries) |url=https://arrow.tudublin.ie/ijrtp/vol4/iss6/9 |journal=International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage |volume=4 |issue=6 |doi=10.21427/D7NQ6M |issn=2009-7379}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Gosvāmī |first1=Hita Harivaṃśa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jOs-G0-VIWQC&q=sakhi&pg=PR15 |title=The Eighty-four Hymns of Hita Harivaṃśa: An Edition of the Caurāsī Pada |last2=Snell |first2=Rupert |date=1991 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-0629-0 |language=en}}</ref>

== Temples ==
* Sri Sri Mayapur Dham
* [http://www.ashtasakhimandir.org/ Sri Radha Rasbihari Ashtasakhi Temple, Vrindavan]
* Sri Ashtasakhi Temple, Barsana<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ashtasakhi Temple, Barsana |url=https://brajrasik.org/articles/609ccb9f211ba900099a2e1d/ashtasakhi-temple-barsana |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=Braj Ras - Bliss of Braj Vrindavan. |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Gopi]]
* [[Radha Krishna]]
* [[Ashtabharya]]
* [[Ashta Lakshmi]]
* [[Goloka]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040906103532/http://naturalnirvana.com/Braja-Mandala/Braja-Spiritual/Gopis.htm The Eight Main Gopis (Ashtasakhi)]

[[Category:People related to Krishna]]
[[Category:Culture of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Consorts of Krishna]]
[[Category:Regional Hindu goddesses]]
[[Category:Hindu given names]]

Ashtasakhi - Revision history

Oantree at 17:14, 19 February 2026