Cast of Characters

In Order of Appearance

 

Shri Radha

A part of Krishna known as His shakti or 'Pleasure Energy' which manifests as a separate being (Radha) with whom Krishna can have a relationship. God, or Krishna, has the abilities to both be enjoyed and to enjoy Himself. In order to enjoy Himself, He manifests Radha.

Radha is also referred to by the following names in Shri Krishna Bhavanamrita Mahakavya: Priyaji, Vrishabhanuja, Padmini, Gandharva, Radhika, Priya and Kundadanti.

 

Shri Krishna

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, assuming the role of a human being simply to please His devotees. In Shri Krishna Bhavanamrita Mahakava, He is also called Hari, Madhusudana, Priyatama, Kesava, Acyuta, Madhava, Giridhari, Pinchabhushana, Aghabid, Shyama, Madana Mohana, Vihariji, Giribhrita, Punyasloka, Aghari, Bakari, Madhubhidi, Aghantaka, Aghasatru, Varada Pasupati, Murali, Aghahara, Aghamanthana, Prabhavishnu and Kalanidhi.

 

The Sakhis

Shri Radhika's maid servants. They are teenagers. Her eight closest servants are Lalita, Vishaka, Chitra, Indulekha, Champakalata, Tungavidya, Rangadevi and Sudevi.

 

Nidradevi---The Goddess of Sleep

Daksha and Vichaksana--Two male parrots

Subha and Sukshmadi---Two female parrots.

Hridevi--The Goddess of Bashfullness.

Bhanumati--A sakhi.

The Manjaris---The young servants of the sakhis. They are mere girls. They include Lavagna, Ruci, Rupa, Lila, and Rata.

Vrinda-- The goddess who furnishes, caters and arranges for the meetings between Radha and Krishna.

Kakkhati--An old female monkey. One of Vrinda's assistants.

Jatila--Radha's mother in law, Abhimanyu's mother.

King Vrishabhanu--Radha's father. Her mother is Kirtida.

King Nanda--Krishna's foster father.

Mukhara-grandmother or Radha.

Shyamala--A sakhi friend of Radhika.

Madhurika--A sakhi.

Queen Yashoda--Krishna's foster mother. One of Nanda's two wives. Also called Vrajeshwari and Savitri.

Rohini-- Nanda's other wife, Balaram's mother, and head cook in Nanda's kitchen.

Paurnamasi-- Appearing as an old woman, the personification of yoga-maya. She both facilitates Radha and Krishna's meetings, and creates obstacles at the same time.

Balarama--Krishna's older brother, son of Nanda and Rohini. Also called Balabhadra, Haladhara.

Madhumangala--Krishna's closest friend.

Rasa--A manjari.

Tulasi--A manjari. Second name for Rati-manjari

Kundalata--Krishna's female cousin.

Dhanista-- An older girl who lives at Nanda's house, acting as a messenger and bringing food and other gifts.

Kamala--One of Krishna's servant boys.

Shridama--Krishna's close friend.

Subala--A friend of Krishna's.

Raktaka and Patraka--Two of Krishna's servant boys.

Parjanya--Krishna's grandfather.

Nandi Mukhi--Literally, 'Bull Face.' An older girl who participates in the pastimes, but in a strictly platonic way.