Are Ashta Sakhis also Gopis? How can a Gopi also be a Sakhi of Krishna?
A Girl devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“Hare Krishna Prabhuji.Apko mera dandawat Pranam. Prabhuji, who were the gopis of Krishna? Lalita sakhi, Vishakha sakhi (basically the Ashtasakhis) aren’t they gopis? They too love Krishna, but they were very close to Radha Rani, called as sahchari or sakhi. They have sakhi bhav too. They wanted to see Priya priyatam together. Also, when Krishna used to perform raasleela, they also became a part of it as a gopi. So my question is, I’ve heard that kunj is for gopis and sakhas, but in Nikunj only sahchari can enter. Then how do the Ashtasakhis reside in Nikunj? Of course, they are sahcharis, but aren’t they also gopis or have gopi bhav too? You have said in one post that no one can have both gopi bhav and sakhi bhav. Then what bhav do the Ashtasakhis have?”
REPLY:
Know about who Gopis are in our following Post:
(WHO ARE GOPIS? HOW DID THEY GET KRISHNA? COMPLETE DETAILS! READ HERE!)
A Sakhi can not behave like a Gopi though that Sakhi too is a Gopi. When a Gopi takes the role of a Sakhi, she deserts her personal desires and takes up the role of assisting in the lilas of Krishna and Radharani. That is why I said that a Sakhi can’t be a Gopi. Yes, When a Gopi acts as a Sakhi, she does not behave like a Gopi.
A judge takes the role of a judge when he takes the service as a judge. When he comes back home, he takes the role of a husband or father.
Same person in court and house. The status and Bhava change depending on where he is!
On this basis, Ashta Sakhis are also Gopis of Krishna.
They are eight important and Prominent Gopis of Krishna.
They are close companions of Krishna and Radharani too.
These eight prominent Gopis had deep love and devotion for Krishna.
Gopis are a group of cowherd women who are intensely devoted to Krishna.
(Can a Boy love Krishna in Gopi Bhava? Clear details! READ HERE!)
The Names of Ashta Sakhis are:
Lalita, Visakha, Citra, Champakalata, Tungavidya, Indulekha, Rangadevi, and Sudevi.
These eight Gopis are the eight most beloved and close friends of Radharani
Srimad Bhagavatham says that Radharani is the closest Gopi for Krishna, but it did not mention her name.
Srimad Bhagavatham Canto 10, Chapter 30, verse 28 says:
“anayaradhito nunaṁ bhagavan harir isvaraḥ, yan no vihaya govindaḥ prito yam anyad rahaḥ”
Translation: “Surely this gopi has worshiped Bhagavan Hari, the controller, so much that, leaving us aside, Govinda, being pleased, has taken her to a secluded place.”
The interesting thing is that there were even competitors of Radharani among Gopis who competed with Radharani in loving Krishna.
Not just competitors, there were rivals of Radharani also among Gopis.
As said by Sri Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura, the above verse were spoken by a rival gopi of Radharani. That is why she did not mention the name of Radharani out of jealousy.
(Is it possible for a girl to become a Gopi for Krishna? READ HERE!)
Why Jealousy?
Krishna used to take Radharani away to a secluded place. This is enough to create jealousy among many other gopis.
So, according to Srimad Bhagavatham’s commentary by Sri Visvanatha Chakravarthi Thakura, Radharani Herself is a Prominent Gopi of Krishna.
Even Sri Sanatana Gosvami and Sri Jīva Gosvami identify this Special gopi as Radharani.
Other gopis were always wondering who this beloved gopi is.
However, these Ashta sakhis had no jealousy seeing the closeness of Krishna and Radharani. In fact, the Ashta Sakhis are not just friends of Radha and Krishna, but also Gopis, who are revered for their unconditional love and devotion to Krishna, as described in scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam.
So, the point is that the Gopis can also be the Sakhis of Krishna and Radharani.
Gopi Bhava and Sakhi Bhava can coexist. Ashta Sakhis are also Gopis. Why not?
(Role of Gopi Bhava, Sakhi Bhava & Manjari Bhava in Radha-Krishna lilas! READ HERE!)