Ashta Nayika

The Ashta-Nayika is a collective name for eight types of nayikas or heroines as classified by Bharata in his Sanskrit treatise on performing arts - Natya Shastra.

[3] A famous example in Indian literature is Jayadeva's Gita Govinda (12th century) as well as in the Vaishnava poet Banamali's compositions, Radha dons the roles of the various nayikas while with her nayaka is the god Krishna.

Especially the semi-classical genre of Thumri imbibes the myriad moods of Radha as Ashta Nayika consumed by passionate love for Krishna.

The Natya Shastra describes the nayikas in the following order: Vasakasajja, Virahotkanthita, Svadhinabhartruka, Kalahantarita, Khandita, Vipralabdha, Proshitabhartruka and Abhisarika.

[2] Vasakasajja ("one dressed up for union")[2] or Vasakasajjika is waiting for her lover returning from a long journey.

[3] A Vasakasajja sculpture is found in the Lakshmana Temple in Khajuraho and the National Museum, Delhi.

[3] The Ragavibodha identifies the raginis Mukhari, Pauravi and Turushkatodi with the Virahotkanthita, while the Sangitadarpana names Patamanjari in this category.

He is devoted and faithful to her [3][6] In paintings, this nayika is depicted with a nayaka, who applies mahawar on her feet or a vermilion tilak (mark) on her forehead.

[3] In Jayadeva's Gita Govinda as well as in the poem Kuru Yadunandana, Radha is portrayed as a Svadhinabhartruka.

[6] She is depicted at the door of her house and on her way to the tryst, defying all kinds of difficulties like the storm, snakes and dangers of the forest.

The Ashta-Nayika have been relevant in contemporary works of art, literature, and poetry in India as well.