The Ashtasakhi (Sanskrit: अष्टसखी, IAST: Ashtāsākhi) are a group of eight prominent gopis and close associates of the Hindu deities Radha-Krishna in the Braj region.
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.
[2] The popular list of Ashtasakhi include: Lalita, Vishaka, Champaklata, Chitra, Tungavidhya, Induleka, Rangadevi, and Sudevi.
In Kaliyuga, Swami Haridas, the popular saint and musician of Vrindavan is said to be the incarnation of Lalita.
[10] Vishakaha is believed to be born in Kamai village to her parents Pavana (father) and Vahika (mother).
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.
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 born to her father Sagara and mother Vela Devi in Anjanoka village, Uttar Pradesh.
Her services include burning the aromatic incense, carrying coal during the winter and fanning the divine couple in the summer.
She is the twin sister of Rangadevi Sakhi and is born to mother Karuna-devi and father Rangasara in Rakholi.
[26] In Shaktism, the Ashtasakhi are sometimes considered as the embodiment of the Ashta Siddhis (Aṇimā, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prāpti, Prākāmya, Iṣiṭva, and Vaśitva).