The Story of True Friendship 🌸

The Friendship of Krishna and Sudama

Sudama was poor since birth.
When Shri Krishna went to Avanti to receive education at the ashram of Maharishi Sandipani, there Sudama became friends with Shri Krishna.

Krishna completed the education of Vedas, scriptures and all arts within only a few days and later became the King of Dwarka.

When Sudama completed his education, he also returned to his birthplace. After marriage, he too accepted household life.

 Sudama’s Poverty

A broken hut, a few broken utensils, and some dirty torn clothes to cover the body — this alone was the household of Sudama.

Simple and content by birth, Sudama never asked anything from anyone. Whatever came without asking, he first offered to God, and on that he and his wife survived.

Most of the time, both husband and wife had to remain hungry. Their bodies had become weak like skeletons.

Sudama’s wife Sushila was content, virtuous and devoted to her husband, but whenever her thin husband had to remain hungry, she felt great sorrow.

Once, with hesitation, she said to her husband —

“Swami! Lord Shri Krishna, the great devotee of Brahmins, is your friend. Please go to Him once. You are related to Him. Ask Him for help. We are suffering because of poverty. Surely He will give you great wealth.

I know there is not even a little desire in your heart, but you are related to Him. How will this household continue like this?”

His wife requested again and again.

Sudama thought — getting the darshan of Shri Krishna Himself is the greatest blessing! But how can I go empty-handed to my friend’s house?

Somehow, Sudama’s wife borrowed four handfuls of flattened rice from a neighbor and tied them in an old cloth. Holding that bundle under his arm, Sudama left for Dwarka.

After many days of travel, Sudama reached Dwarka. Seeing the great wealth there, he became astonished.

One citizen showed him the palace of Shri Krishna. Seeing such a poor Brahmin wearing torn and dirty clothes, the gatekeeper was not surprised, because he knew that his Lord belongs to the poor and humble.

The gatekeeper bowed to Sudama, but when Sudama introduced himself as the friend of Lord Krishna, he became shocked that such a poor man calls himself the friend of the King of Dwarka!

Finally, according to the rules, the gatekeeper asked Sudama to wait at the entrance and went inside to seek permission.

Lord Shri Krishna, the Lord of the three worlds, was seated inside His palace. Shri Rukmini Devi was serving food to the Lord.

Then the gatekeeper bowed his head to the ground and said —

“A weak Brahmin wrapped in torn clothes, bare-headed and wearing dirty clothes is standing at the gate. I do not know who he is or where he has come from.

He looks around in wonder, calls himself Your friend, asks for Your residence, and says his name is ‘Sudama.’”

Krishna’s Devotion to His Friend

The moment the word “Sudama” entered His ears, Lord Shri Krishna lost all awareness. His crown remained behind, His royal cloth fell to the ground, and without wearing sandals He ran in great eagerness.

Coming to the gate, Krishna spread both His arms and embraced Sudama to His heart, as if He had found a treasure lost for many years.

Tears began to flow from the eyes of both Sudama and Shri Krishna. Not even a single word was spoken. Citizens, queens and servants all stood watching in amazement.

The gods began showering flowers from the sky and praised the great fortune of Sudama.

Shri Krishna brought Sudama into His palace. He seated His friend upon His own divine bed and personally began washing his feet.

“Oh! My friend’s feet have become covered with blisters. He has suffered such poverty and pain!”

Holding Sudama’s feet in His hands, lotus-eyed Krishna began shedding tears, and Sudama’s feet were washed by those very tears.

The Compassion of Rukmini Devi

Seeing the condition of the Lord, Rukmini Devi herself washed Sudama’s feet with her own hands. The Lord of Dwarka sprinkled that sacred water upon His own head and throughout the palace.

Then with sandalwood paste, sacred grass, aguru, kumkum, incense, lamps and flower garlands, Lord Krishna worshipped Sudama according to proper rituals. He offered him many delicious foods and satisfied him with love. Afterwards He offered water and betel leaves.

After the meal, Rukmini Devi began fanning Sudama. Shri Krishna spoke about the days in the guru’s ashram and asked about his welfare.

Sudama said —

“O Lord! You are the Guru of the whole world. What need did You have to study in a guru’s house? It was my great fortune that I received Your company. Your education in the guru’s ashram was only a divine pastime.”

Smiling, Shri Krishna asked —

“What gift have you brought for Me?”

Hearing this, Sudama became shy and remained silent.

The Lord, who knows everything, understood that this devotee desires nothing, yet He thought —

“I shall give him that which even the gods always long for.”

The Lord said —

“What is this? Why are you hiding what sister-in-law has sent for Me, Sudama?”

The Flattened Rice Offering

Saying this, Shri Krishna pulled away the small bundle from Sudama. The old cloth tore apart and the flattened rice scattered everywhere.

Taking one handful into His mouth, the Lord said —

“My friend! This offering alone is enough to please Me. These flattened rice grains will satisfy not only Me, but the entire universe.”

“How sweet! How delicious!”

As Krishna took the second handful, Rukmini Devi held His hand and said —

“Please stop, Prabhu! With one handful itself, the Brahmin has already received every kind of wealth. What more will You give with the second handful? Please have mercy on me!”

The Lord smiled and released the handful.

Sudama stayed there for some days. Krishna and all the queens served him with great love.

At the end, Shri Krishna walked a long distance with His dear friend before bidding him farewell.

The Spirit of Detachment at the End

Sudama had no desire for wealth. He remembered the love Krishna showed toward a poor Brahmin friend.

“Where am I — poor and sinful — and where is Lord Krishna, full of Lakshmi and divine virtues! He embraced me to His heart, seated me upon His own bed, washed my feet, and Rukmini Devi herself kept fanning me!”

“How merciful Shri Krishna is! Perhaps after getting wealth I may become proud, therefore He did not give me riches. Krishna desires only my welfare.”

Blessed Sudama!

He had left behind his hungry wife at home. There was no certainty of food or clothes, yet he was not worried about what answer he would give to his wife. There was no desire in Sudama’s heart.

The Lord who fulfills the wishes of devotees sent Vishwakarma, and within one night Sudama’s village became as glorious as Dwarka itself. In place of the hut stood jewel-like palaces.

When Sudama returned there, he could not understand whether he was awake or dreaming. He could not even understand where he had arrived.

Just then many servants came and welcomed him with respect. His wife now looked like a heavenly goddess. She came with hundreds of maidservants, bowed before him and took him inside.

Sudama became astonished, but later understanding the entire secret, he became overwhelmed with emotion.

He said —

“My friend is the crest jewel of generosity. He gives secretly so that the one asking may never feel ashamed. But I do not desire this wealth.

Birth after birth, may I remain engaged in the pure devotion of that Lord who possesses all divine qualities — this alone is my only desire.”

Even after receiving such wealth, Sudama remained detached. Turning his mind away from worldly pleasures, he always remained absorbed in devotion.

In this way, Sudama attained the divine spiritual state.

इस लेख को हिन्दी में पढ़ें - यहाँ क्लिक करें 

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