Among the beloved companions of Srimati Radharani, eight gopis are especially celebrated as the parama-prestha-sakhis — Lalita, Visakha, Citra, Campakalata, Tungavidya, Indulekha, Rangadevi and Sudevi. These eight gopis are chief amongst all the gopis.

Among them is Sri Tungavidya Sakhi, renowned for her extraordinary learning, artistic abilities and deep devotion to Sri Krishna. In Sri Mayapur Dham, Tungavidya Sakhi is beautifully adorned with garlands and ornaments as devotees celebrate her divine appearance day.

Tungavidya is the fifth of the varistha gopis. She is especially celebrated as an expert in music, dance, literature, drama and the transcendental science of rasa. She is a celebrated music teacher, expert at playing the vina and singing in the style known as marga. She is also highly skilled in the eighteen branches of knowledge and is very expert at arranging the meetings of the Divine Couple.

Her beauty is described as radiant like saffron mixed with camphor and sandalwood paste. She wears pale yellow garments, and her crimson-colored grove, Tungavidyanandada Kunja, lies on the western petal of Madana-sukhada Kunja, where she eternally resides.

The Sri Sri Radha-Krishna Ganoddesa Dipika states that Tungavidya is fifteen days younger than Srimati Radharani. There are, however, some differences of opinion regarding her actual appearance day. In the Gaura Govindarcana Smarana Paddhati, Tungavidya is described as 14 years, 2 months and 22 days old, while Srimati Radharani is 14 years, 2 months and 15 days old, which would place Tungavidya’s appearance seven days before Radharani’s. According to the Radha-Krishna Ganoddesa Dipika, Tungavidya is 15 days older or younger according to the translator. Our Jananivas Prabhu says that the proper time is 15 days before Radharani’s appearance.

Tungavidya’s parents are Puskara and Medha-devi, her husband is Balisa, and her home is in Yavata. In Gaura-lila she appears as Sri Vakresvara Pandita.

She is also described as having the mood of daksina-prakhara. Her loving nature combines intelligence, dignity and an ability to speak with reason, while still being easily enchanted and appeased by Krishna's sweet words.

The characteristics of a vipralabdha-nayika: The sages have said that the nayika who is very distressed at heart because her lover has not arrived for their secret meeting is known as a vipralabdha-nayika. Her behavior is marked by despondency, anxiety, lamentation, weeping, fainting, sighing, etc.

An example: A certain vrajadevi said to her saki, “O fawn-eyed Sakhi! As surely as the moon has risen, have we not been deceived by the Lord of Laksmi? In this situation, what shall I do? You please give me some advice.” Saying this, she became depressed.

The characteristics of a daksina-nayika are now given: That nayika who is intolerant in protecting her dignity, who speaks in a very reasonable and logical way to her lover, but who is enchanted and appeased by his sweet words of praise is called a daksina-nayika.

In Sri Radhika’s group, Sri Tungavidya and others are daksina-prakhara.

An example occurred when a certain prakhara priya-sakhi of¸ Sri Radha reprimanded Her like this: “O Sakhi! When Krishna has shown affection to You, You’ve been very hard on Him. When He offers obeisance to You, You are arrogant. When He tries to show You His love, You act inimically toward Him. When He is eager to be with You, You are indifferent to Him. O Difficult One! When You try to argue with Him, He speaks very reasonably. Now He has truly seen the contrary nature in You. Because of it You take sandalwood paste to be poison, the moon to be the sun, snow as fire, and pleasurable pastimes as pain.”

Some of the sakhis in Tungavidya’s yutha are Manjumedha, Sumadhura, Sumadhya, Madhureksana, Tanumadhya, Madhusyanda, Gunacuda and Varangada.

Her group is particularly accomplished in music and dance. Tungavidya is the leader of the gopis headed by Manjumedha-devi. These gopis excel not only in dance but also as accomplished musicians and skilled mrdanga players, frequently enchanting audiences in recital halls with their captivating performances.

She is especially devoted to her seva of dancing and singing, and her love for Sri Krishna is so deep that she exhibits the bhava known as vipralabdhatva.

The beauty and artistry of Tungavidya are wonderfully captured in this glorification:

candradyhair api candanaih sulalitam sri-kunkumabha-dyutim
sad-ratnanvita-bhusanancita-tanum sonambarollasitam
sad-gitavali-samyutam bahu-gunam damphasya sabdena vai
nrtyantim purato hare rasavatim sri-tungavidyam bhaje

I worship the very rasika , Sri Tungavidya, who is adorned with sandalwood paste mixed with camphor. Her beautiful saffron-colored body is decorated with many fine jeweled ornaments, she delights in wearing a lovely red dress, and she has many wonderful qualities. She knows many transcendental songs, and she dances before¸ Sri Hari to the beat of a dampha drum.

Her connection with music and dance is not merely artistic. These talents are all offered in the service of Sri Radha and Krishna. She helps arrange their meetings, assists through music and dance, and engages her remarkable learning in the service of the Divine Couple.

The Sri Sri Radha-Krishna Ganoddesa Dipika and Gaura Govindarcana Smarana Paddhati beautifully reveal these many qualities of Tungavidya Sakhi, showing us a personality who is simultaneously learned, artistic, strong in character and completely devoted to Krishna.

Her glories are also beautifully expressed in this verse:

References:
Sri Govindalilamrita
Sri Sri Radha Krishna Gaunadesa Dipika

“Encircled by beautifully attired gopis on Yamuna’s shore, Krsna has them begin playing orchestral music on wind instruments, string instruments, and drums. Then that King of Dancers gracefully dances in their midst. In this way the Lord shines with great splendor as He enjoys pastimes in the groves of Vrndavana.”

• Manasam Manasam Tyagad, Stavamala

Glorification Verse

sac-candra-candana-manohara-kunkumabham pandu-cchavi-pracura-kanti-lasad-dukulam sarvatra kovidataya mahitam samajnam radhe! Bhaje priya-sakhim tava tunga-vidyam

Whose complexion is alluring like red kunkuma powder tinted with divine white camphor
Whose silken cloth glows with the profuse rays of pure yellow-whiteness
Who is honoured everywhere for her great and vastly learned wisdom
Oh Radhe! I worship Your beloved girlfriend, Tungavidya!

All glories to Sri Tungavidya Sakhi!