INDULEKHA SAKHI:RADHA-KRISHNA’S ASHTA SAKHI

The Skanda Purana states that out of many thousands of gopis, sixteen thousand are predominant and among them  108 gopis are very close , eight are still more prominent; o Radharani and Candravalli are very  prominent  and  Srimathi Radharani is the most prominent. Because Radharani possesses all the charm and sweetness to attract Lord Krishna .

The Eight Gopis who are the foremost, dearest and most beloved friends of Shri  Shri Radharani  are  glorified  as Asta-sakhis  Gopis . Their names areLalita, Visakha, Chitralekha, Champakalata, Tungavidya, Indulekha, Rangadevi and Sudevi.

The Astha-sakhis display the zenith of spiritual love for Radha and Krishna. No one can equal or exceed the love they bear for the Divine Couple. To increase the transcendental ecstasy of Radha and Krishna, the Parama-preshta Gopis show partiality; sometimes they favour Krishna, sometimes Radha. These Eight Gopis are the leaders of all the other gopis. Although these Varishtha Gopis are the leaders of millions of other gopis, because they are very greedy to earn Radha’s love , they always prefer to serve under the command of Radha and try to please her in every way possible. These gopi friends decorate their own dear friend Srimati Radharani   and they take Radharani’s side whenever she has a lover’s quarrel with Lord Hari.

The introduction details can be read from this appended post linked below

https://kazhiyurvaradanblog.in/2015/11/07/lord-krishnas-ashta-sakhi-temples-near-barsaana-vrindavan-an-introduction

Indulekha is the sixth varishta gopi among the ashtasakhis who was always engaged in the transcendental services of Radha and Krishna. She appeared on dwadasi day after Radhastami to SAgara and Vela devi .  There is a separate temple dedicated to her at Anjanauk which is about 5 kms from Barsana.

She was constantly engaged in the services of Srimati RAdharani and Sri Krishna, especially fanning the Lordships with chamaram. She belongs to the village of Anjnauk and her home is in Yavat.

The temple priest explained about an interesting incident related to this place. The ashta sakhis were dressing up RAdharani  with the finest jewellery and flowers in an attractive way to please little Krishna but forgot to apply kajal  (collyrium)   for HER eyes.  Little Krishna came much before the anticipated time . The priest pointed out to Anjan shila , a small  black stone inside the temple saying that the shila offered to be of service to Radharani  and produced kajal which was applied to RAdharani’s eyes thus enhancing HER beauty.  Even today, when we rub our finger on the stone, we get kajal.

Jai Sree Radhey Shyaam

Adiyen Ramanuja dasan