Ashtachhap poets

Ashtachhap poets – Ashta Sakha

Who were the Ashtachhap poets – Ashta Sakha of Shrinathji ?

Shri Mahaprabhuji established the system of Ashtayam Seva in Pushtimarg according to Shrimad Bhagavatam. Shri Mahaprabhuji created the picture of Pushtimarg,

And Shri Gusaiji gave this picture color and form. Shri Gusaiji expanded the unique Pushtimarg Seva system. To pamper Shrijibava, Pushtimarg Seva was wonderfully and uniquely expanded with three basic pillars

• Raga,
• Bhog, 
• Shringar.

Among these three pillars, the “Raga” pillar has a significant contribution not only in Pushtimarg but also in Indian culture.

Shri Gusaiji taking four disciples of Shri Mahaprabhuji “Kumbhandasji, Surdasji, Krishnadasji, and Paramananddasji and his (Shri Gusaiji’s) four disciples “Nanddasji, Chhitaswamiji, Govindswamiji, and Chaturbhujdasji” and established Pushtimarg Kirtan Pranalika and Haveli Sangeet with a total of eight poets.

These eight poets are known as “Ashtachhap poets”. These Asht Chhap poets have made a significant contribution not only in Pushtimarg but also in Hindi literature by creating a large number of pads and have made a significant contribution. These Ashta Chhap poets have constantly sung Kirtan in the seva of Shreejibawa. Their character is interesting not only because they created amazing pads but most importantly their friendship. Friendship with whom? Directly with Shri Krishna. These Asht Chhap poets are not only poets but also known as Krishna Asht Sakha. Their relationship is not only in Kaliyuga but also in Saraswat Kalpa (Dwaparyuga). When Lord Krishna came for cowherding in Dwapar Yuga (Nitya Leela), he came with his friends. As Sakha in the seva of the whole day … and in the seva of the night in the form of a Sakhi. And this same Gwal Mandali when Lord Krishna appeared in Kaliyuga in the form of Shri Goverdhannathji, then They were born in the form of Shrinathji Sakha.

In this way, this Asht Sakha is in the form of a Sakha in Krishna Leela during the day and in the form of a Sakhi at night. Therefore, when these poets became Pushtimargiya Vaishnavas in Kaliyuga, then they were blessed with the unique grace of Shrivallabh and Shrinathji and they got the inspiration of Bhagavad Leela and because of this reason, Either They are Seeing with their eyes in Krishna Leela or being a part of Lila, They describes the whole Leela and creates the pads and sings in the seva of Shri Thakorji and also gives immense pleasure to Prabhu.

Krishna’s Sakhas such as  Subahu, Subal, Sridama, Tok, Rishabh, Arjun, Krushna, & Bhoj in Nityalila(Dwapar Leela). These Sakhas also took birth when Shrinathji appeared in Kaliyuga and once they became Vaishnavas; they became Ashtachhap Poets-Asht Sakha in Kaliyuga.  Shri Krishna loves Aapshri’s Sakha very much. Therefore, even today, only the pads of Asht Chhap poets are sung in the seva of Shrinathji. Their Stories are very interesting. What were they before they became Vaishnavas? How did they become Vaishnavas?, the amazing and supernatural Stories of their friendship with Shrijibava. Along with the Lifestyle of these great characters, what was their seva? Which Sakha is in Krishna Leela during the day?  which Sakhi is in the night Leela ? in which Swaroop of Prabhu is their Aashakti (attraction), to know all this, touch their Chitrajis.