Lalita (gopi)

Lalita is one of the eight principal gopis within traditional Gaudiya Vaishnava worship of Radha and Krishna within the Hindu religion.

Of the eight Varistha Gopis, Astasakhis, Lalita is the foremost. She is a friend of the Divine Couple, Sri Sri Radha Krishna. Lalita is 14 years, 8 months and 27 days older than Srimate Radharani. She is the oldest of Krishna's gopi friends. Lalita resides in Yavat and is famous as Radha's constant companion. She is the personification of Khandita Bhava and the leader of the parama-prema sakis. Her kunja, the color of lightning, is the largest and is situated on the North side of Vrindavan. The personified seasons take eternally personal care of the kunja. Shaped like an 8 petal lotus, it expands and contracts when needed. Lalitadevi instructs and directs all the sakis and is an expert in the tactics of union and separation in the matter of prema. Lalitadevi is known for her contradictory and hot tempered nature (vama-prakhara). Her complexion is the color of gorocana (bright yellow pigment prepared from the urine of a cow) and her garments are the brilliant colors of peacock tail feathers.

Rupa manjari (Rupa Goswami) is the assistant and follower of Lalita-sakhi; thus all who consider themselves as Rupanuga bhaktas (followers of Rupa Goswami) are ultimately the servants of Lalita Devi and thus through the media of the parampara should always be longing to engage in the service of her lotus feet. When the day comes at which we are given the opportunity to serve her, she will engage us in the intimate loving service of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna according to our heart's desire (Radha-Krishna-ganoddesa-dipika).

Within Vaishnava theology and Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, Lalita is amongst the eight principle Gopis, known as 'Sakhis' or friends of Srimati Radharani, Lord Krishna's highest loving consort. Her mother is Saradi and her father is Vishoka. Her husband is Bhairava, a friend of Govardhana Malla and the husband of Chandravali.

She tends to side with Srimati Radharani during disputes between Lord Krishna and Radharani. She is renowned for her "mana", or pure loving anger. Among the Gopis, Lalita and Vishaka are considered to be the foremost.

Along with Mohan (Krishna) Lalitadevi had 68 tirthas (holy places) to visit in her kunda and free everyone from the six types of hatya (murder): bhrna-hatya (abortion), krimi-hatya (killing of worms and insects), go-hatya (cow slaughter), brahma-hatya (killing of brahmans), svana-hatya, atma-hatya (suicide).

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