Gītā-mālā

(1)
rādhā-kṛṣṇa-guṇa-gāna, mithāsakti samvardhana
ubhayābhisāra sampādana
kṛṣṇa-sakhī-samarpaṇa, narma-vākya-āsvādana
ubhayera suveśa-racana

The sakhīs sing the glories of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, increase Their mutual attachment, and arrange Their meetings. They offer suitable sakhīs to Kṛṣṇa for His pleasure, delight the Divine Couple with witty and affectionate speech, and expertly decorate Them both with beautiful garments, ornaments, and flowers.

(2)
citta-bhāva-utghāṭana, mitha-cchidra saṅgopana
pratīpa-janera suvañcana
kuśala śikhaṇa āra, sammilana du’janāra
vyajanādi vividha sevana

They uncover the hidden feelings within Their hearts, conceal each other’s shortcomings, and cleverly deceive those who oppose Their union. They give wise counsel, arrange the meeting of the Divine Couple, and perform many other services such as fanning Them and attending to Their comfort in countless ways.

(3)
ubhaya kuśala dhyāna, doṣe tiraskāra dāna
paraspara sandeśa vāhana
rādhikāra daśā-kāle, prāṇa-rākha su-kauśale
sakhī-sādhāraṇa akārya jñāna

Always concerned for the welfare of both Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, the sakhīs sometimes chastise Them when necessary. They carry messages between Them, and they are especially expert at preserving Rādhārāṇī’s life during the intense transformations of Her ecstatic emotions. Such activities are among the common duties of the sakhīs.

(4)
yeba ye sakhīra kārya, viśeṣa baliyā dhairya
pradarśita ha’be yathā-sthāne
rūpānuga bhaje yeba, ye sakhīra yei sevā
tad-anuga sei sevā māne

Each sakhī has her own particular service, which is performed at the proper time and place. These specific services will be described in due course. One who practices bhajana in the line of Śrīla Rūpa follows a particular sakhī and accepts service according to her mood and example.