The sakhas Visala, Vrishabha, Ojasvi, Devaprastha, Varuthapa, Mandara, Kusumapida, Manibandha, Karandhama, Mandara, Candana, Kunda, Kalinda, Kulika and other sakhas are younger than Sri Krishna. They are very enthusiastic in serving Him. The priya-sakhas Sridama, Dama, Sudama, … Read More
The suhrit-sakhas Sri Krishna’s paternal cousins Subhadra, Kundala, Dandi and Mandala as well as Sunanda, Nandi, Anandi and other suhrit-sakhas accompany Him when He goes to the forest. Subhadra, Mandalibhadra, Bhadravarddhana, Gobhata, Yakshendra, Bhata, Bhadranga, Virabhadra, … Read More
Sri Krishna’s male friends Now Krishna’s friends are described. Balarama is the foremost of all the sakhas. He is Sri Krishna’s elder brother and the killer of the well-known demon Pralamba. Groups of Sakhas (vayasya-bhedah) Sri … Read More
Citra Citra is skilled in all activities due to her remarkable dexterity. There are six expedients to arrange and nourish a rendezvous[1]. Out of these six, she is extremely skilled in the third one, yana. She … Read More
Sri Krishna is as attractive as nectar and full of sweetness. He is as soft as anjana[1] applied around one’s eyes. His bodily complexion is lustrous like the indranila jewel[2] or blackish blue (syamala) like the … Read More
Ratnabhavah The group of sakhis (named Ratnabhava) mentioned in the Sammohana Tantra has not been neglected in this literary work; they are all counted among the eternal sakhis. The family of the King and Queen of … Read More
Names of Sri Radha’s Eight Sakhis According to the Sammohana Tantra Lilavati, Sadhika, Candrika, Madhavi, Lalita, Vijaya, Gauri and Nanda. Names of the eight sakhis mentioned in another part of the same Sammohana Tantra Kalavati, Rasavati, … Read More
Lalita’s sakhis Ratnaprabha, Ratikala, Subhadra, Ratika, Sumukhi, Dhanishtha, Kalahamsi and Kalapini are the eight prominent sakhis serving under the guidance of Lalita Sakhi. Visakha’s sakhis Madhavi, Malati, Candrarekhika, Kunjari, Harini, Capala, Surabhi and Subhanana are … Read More
The Sakhis Belonging to the Second Division, the Mandala The prema of the sakhis belonging to the second division[1] is somewhat inferior to the love of the sakhis of the first division (samaja). The sakhis … Read More
Messengers who arrange meetings Sivada, Saumya-darsana, Suprasada, Sada-santa, Santida, Kantida and others are messengers who arrange meetings[1]. They are very skillful in cleverly arranging meetings, and because they are Sri Lalita-devi’s life and soul, they … Read More
Messengers who arrange loving quarrels between Radha and Krishna Petari, Varudi, Cari, Kotara, Kalitippani, Marunda, Morata, Cuda, Cundari, Gondika, Pindakeli and other messengers zealously arrange loving quarrels (vigraha) and the like. They all have crossed their … Read More
Messengers Vrinda, Vrindarika, Mela, Murali and other gopis are called messengers (dutis). They are all remarkably skilled in decorating beautiful forest bowers and other such places to arrange Radha and Krishna’s meetings. They are also extremely … Read More
Various Characters of different Sakhis Now an account of the sakhis’ manifold qualifications in various arts is given. Pindakeli, Vitandika, Pundarika, Sitakhandi, Carucandi, Sudantika, Akunthita, Kalakanthi, Ramaci, Mecika and other sakhis are insistent upon arranging loving … Read More
Rangadevi Rangadevi, who is always maddened by pride, is the personification of the waves of bodily gestures[1]. She cleverly speaks in an indirect way. What is more, she is eager to joke and act playfully with … Read More
Indulekha Indulekha knows well all of the incantations for controlling snakes mentioned in naga-tantra. Moreover, she is also most skilled in using those incantations. She is especially conversant with samudrika-sastra[1]. Indulekha makes many different kinds of … Read More
Tungavidya is well versed in the eighteen types of knowledge[1]. She is exceptionally skilled in arranging the meeting of the youthful Divine Couple. Sri Krishna has full faith in her. Tungavidya, who holds the post … Read More
Campakalata Campakalata is expert in supervising the messengers. She always conceals the intentions behind her actions and is most clever in logical speech. She reveals the inferiority of the opposing party and demonstrates the superiority … Read More
Visakha Sri Visakha is in her fresh blooming youth and is the personification of the highest auspiciousness. She is a priya-narma-sakhi and is proficient in all areas. She gives faultless and useful advice and is highly … Read More
Umbrella Umbrellas (chatram) are made by attaching strings of white flowers to thin wooden rods and decorating a wooden handle with golden juhi flowers. Bed A pillow is made by joining campaka and … Read More
Hair band Hair-tying bands (bala-pasya) increase the beauty of the hair and tie the hair. They are made by stringing together like a garland various colourful flower buds. a. Tatankam Tatankas, which look like palm leaves, … Read More
