Paurnamasi Yashoda Sakhas

Paurnamasi and Yashoda's Conversation

Verse 4-5  
Seeing Paurnamasi's timely arrival, Mother Yashoda thought: "Aha! Tapasya personified is entering my home!" And she joyfully greeted her: "O Bhagavati, come in! I trust that your arrival was untroubled this morning. O saintly one! I offer my pranams to you!"
Verse 6-7
Paurnamasi then embraced Mukunda's mother, and although she is very eager for Govinda's darshan, she first offers Mother Yashoda a courteous blessing. Then she inquires, "Are your husband, family members and cows all well?" After Nandarani informs Paurnamasi that all are fine, both eagerly enter Krishna's bedroom.

The Sakhas Enter
Verse 8
Meanwhile, Gobhata, Bhadrasena, Subala, Stokakrishna, Arjuna, Sridama, Ujjvala, Dama, Kinkini, Sudama and other sakhas arrive. After meeting up with Baladeva, they excitedly assemble on the veranda and shout, "Hey Krishna! Get up! Let's go to the goshala!"

Tika:
The names of sakhas given here are only representative of the many boys who come to greet Krishna each morning.

Gobhata is a suhrit-sakha. This means he is slightly older than Krishna and his friendship for Krishna has a touch of protectiveness or vatsalya. So, like Balaram, he is engaged by Krishna's mother to protect him.

Bhadrasena, Stoka Krishna, Sridama and Sudama are priya sakhas. They are the same age as Krishna and are the most enthusiastic about playing sports with him.

Stoka Krishna resembles Krishna in his appearance. When Krishna went to Mathura, he left his flute and crown with Stoka Krishna, hoping to pacify the other sakhas who by seeing him, would remember Krishna. Bhadrasena is sometimes called the "commander-in-chief" of all Krishna's cowherding friends.

Sridama is Radharani's older brother. His age is 15 years old. He is also counted among Krishna's pithamarda-sakhas (who make Krishna subservient to them). His dress is bright yellow, his bodily hue resembles Krishna's, and he wears a copper-colored turban. Sridama is expert in arranging Krishna's meeting with Chandravali.

Sudama's bodily color is slightly golden, he wears blue cloth and decorates himself with many types of golden ornaments. Sudama is the youngest brother of Vidagdha, one of Krishna's priya-narma-sakhas.

Subala, Arjuna, Ujjvala and Kinkini are priya-narma-sakhas. According to Rupa Goswammi, these are Krishna's closest friends, who are party to his most intimate secrets and with whom he is most ready to reveal his feelings.

Subala is Krishna's most intimate friend. He wears a golden dhoti and chadar. His features, height and complexion resemble those of Radha. Sometimes he even dresses like Radha to fool Jatila. Radha exchanges clothes with him and disguises herself as Subala to go and meet with Krishna.

Arjuna is the younger brother of Vasudama, a priya sakha. He is 14½ years old. His bodily hue resembles a red lotus and his dress is colored like the moonrays. Arjuna is expert in playing the flute, the vina and other instruments.

Ujjvala is the younger brother of Indulekha Sakhi. He is 13 years old, his bodily color is golden, and he wears a bright red outfit.

Kinkini is counted amongst both Krishna's priya narma and vidushaka (clown) sakhas. His bodily hue resembles a blue lotus and his dress is bright yellow. He wears an array of different flower garlands and flower ornaments. He decorates his forehead with bright yellow tilak designs.