Lalita (sa|ललिता,), also commonly called Lalita Sakhi, is the Hindu goddess and one of the most prominent associates of the divine couple Radha Krishna.[1] In many Vaishnaite traditions and literatures, she is revered as the gopi (milkmaid) of the Braj region and is mentioned as the chief of Ashtasakhi, the eight closest eternal companion of Radha and Krishna.[2]
| Type: | Hindu |
| Lalita | |
| Other Names: | Lalita Gopi, Lalita Sakhi |
| Sanskrit Transliteration: | Lālitā |
| Devanagari: | ललिता |
| Abode: | Goloka, Unchagaon, Vrindavan |
| Consort: | Krishna |
| Festivals: | Lalita Saptami, Lathmar Holi, Sharad Purnima, Kartik Purnima |
| Gender: | Female |
| Dynasty: | Yaduvamsha-Chandravamsha |
| Member Of: | Ashtasakhi |
| Venerated In: | Radha Vallabh Sampradaya, Nimbarka Sampradaya, Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Pushtimarg, Haridasi Sampradaya |
| Temple: | Shri Lalita Sakhi Temple, Unchagaon |
| Region: | Braj region |
| Sa: | ललिता |
| Bn: | ললিতা |
| Gu: | લલિતા |
| Hi: | ललिता |
| Kn: | ಲಲಿತಾ |
| Mr: | ललिता |
| Or: | ଲଲିତା |
| Te: | లలితా |
| Ml: | ലളിത |
Lalita is considered as the expansion of Radha and the consort of Krishna.[3] [4] Unchagaon, near Barsana, is considered as the birthplace of Lalita in Dvapara Yuga while Goloka is mentioned as her spiritual abode. Her birth anniversary is celebrated annually on the occasion of Lalita Saptami in Braj, which falls one day before the festival of Radhashtami.[5]
Lalita is revered as the eldest gopi among Ashtasakhi and is described as 27 days older than goddess Radha. Lalita was born to her parents, Visoka (father) and Saradi (mother) in Unchagaon, near Barsana.[6] [7]
According to the scriptures, it is the duty of the Lalita to arrange the meetings and different pastimes of Radha and Krishna smoothly in Dvapara Yuga.She was the integral part of many pastimes of the divine couple including Raslila, Radha Krishna Vivah lila and Lathmar Holi.[8]
According to Brahma Vaivarta Purana and Garga Samhita, when Krishna left Vrindavan, all the Ashtasakhi, headed by Lalita left their villages and accompany Radha to Kadli forest.[9] [10]
Once the 100 years of separation period was over for Radha Krishna, Krishna came back to Braj and met all the Ashtasakhi and Radha in the Kadli forest. There Krishna summoned a huge divine chariot and took Radha, all the gopis including Lalita and residents of Braj back to their celestial abode Goloka.[11] [12]
Lalita gopi was mentioned within multiple Vaishnavism scriptures. In some scriptures, she was mentioned as the gopi or chief of Ashtasakhi while in others, she is described as the closest associate of Radha Krishna. Some of the common scriptures with her mention are - Garga Samhita,[13] Padma Purana,[14] Narad Purana[15] and Brahma Vaivarta Purana.[16]
In Shaktism, Lalita gopi and other Ashtasakhi are considered as the embodiment of the Ashta Siddhis which are – Aṇimā, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prāpti, Prākāmya, Iṣiṭva, and Vaśitva.
Lalita gopi is worshiped in many traditions including – Radha Vallabh Sampradaya, Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Nimbarka Sampradaya, Pushtimarga Sampradaya, Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat and Haridasi Sampradaya.[17] [18] [19]
The main temple of Lalita is situated in her birth place, where she is worshiped with Krishna as his consort. The temple is called Shri Lalita Sakhi temple, Unchagaon.[20] She is also venerated in other temples including Shri Radha Madan Mohan Temple, Vrindavan, Shri Radha Rasbihari Ashtasakhi Temple in Vrindavan and Shri Radha Madan Mohan Temple, Karauli, Shri Ashtasakhi temple, Barsana.[21]
In Kaliyuga, Swami Haridas, the popular saint and musician of Vrindavan is said to be the incarnation of Lalita. He manifested the idol of Banke Bihari in Nidhivan, Vrindavan.[22] [23] [24]
In popular culture, Lalita Sakhi is portrayed by artists in TV series.