# Cowherd Boys *Krishna's intimate friends among the cowherd boys of Vrindavan* ## The Priya-Sakhas (Dearest Friends) Krishna's most intimate friends: 1. **[[index/entries/subala|Subala]]** - [[index/S#Subala Mahārāja|Subala Mahārāja]] - [[index/S#subala upanisad quoted on lord as supersoul of universes|Mentioned in Subala Upaniṣad]] - [[index/S#Sunītha son of subala|Father of Sunītha]] - Participated in all Krishna's pastimes 1. **[[index/S#Sudāmā cowherd boy|Sudāmā]]** - [[index/S#Sudāmā|Different from Sudāmā Vipra]] - [[index/S#Sudāmā vipra|Not the poor brāhmaṇa]] - Close companion of Krishna 3. **[[index/S#stokakṛṣṇa|Stokakṛṣṇa]]** - Intimate companion - Friend in forest pastimes 4. **[[index/A#arjuna cowherd boy|Arjuna]]** - [[index/A#arjuna cowherd boy|Different from Pāṇḍava Arjuna]] - Friend known for bravery 5. **[[index/M#madhumaṅgala|Madhumaṅgala]]** - Humorous companion - Friend known for jokes ## Other Notable Cowherd Friends ### [[index/V#vasudāma|Vasudāma]] - Close friend of Krishna - Participated in forest pastimes ### [[index/B#Bhadrasena|Bhadrasena]] - [[index/B#Bhadrasenaka|Also known as Bhadrasenaka]] - [[index/D#durmada son of bhadrasena|Father of Durmada]] - Brave cowherd companion ### [[index/V#vṛṣabha|Vṛṣabha]] - Strong cowherd friend - [[index/V#vrsabha taurus|Associated with Taurus constellation]] ## Groups of Cowherd Boys ### [[index/C#cowherd boyfriends of krsna|Cowherd Boyfriends]] - [[index/C#cowherd boys|General cowherd boys]] - [[index/C#cowherd boys as pure devotees|Pure devotees status]] - [[index/L#laughter of krsna cowherd boys lunching|Lunching with Krishna]] - [[index/L#lunchtime for krsna cowherd boys|Daily lunch pastimes]] ### [[index/B#boys cowherd|Cowherd Boys General]] - [[index/B#bala gopala|Bāla gopāla worship]] - [[index/G#gopala tapani upanisad cited on krsna as cowboy|Krishna as cowboy]] ### Vara-Sakhas - Special friends closest to Krishna ### General Sakhas - Broader circle of cowherd boys ### Pallika (Youths) - Younger cowherd boys ## Characteristics and Activities - [[index/G#Gopāla (Advaitas son)|Gopāla cowherds in general]] - [[index/G#gopala deity at govardhana|Gopāla Deity worship]] - [[index/G#gopala tapani upanisad|Mentioned in Gopāla tāpanī]] - [[index/G#gopala campu|Described in Gopāla campū]] - [[index/G#gopala pura|From Gopāla pura region]] - Tend cattle with Krishna in forests - Participate in Krishna's divine pastimes - Play musical instruments - Engage in games and sports - Experience Krishna's love directly ## Related Topics - [[index/personalities/gopis|Gopis]] - Female companions - [[index/personalities/vraja-lila|Vraja Lila]] - Krishna's pastimes - [[index/personalities/vrindavan-residents|Vrindavan Residents]] - Other inhabitants --- *This index is under development. Additional entries from Śrīla Prabhupāda's books, lectures, conversations and letters will be added as the indexing work progresses.*