A Story of Dvapar Yuga in Prose ( part-31 A)
By Lokanath Mishra
Sri Kṛṣṇa and Sudama
Friendship Beyond Wealth**
One night, as Sudāmā chanted softly while his children slept hungry, his wife Satyā sat silently beside him. Her heart, torn between devotion and maternal anguish, could bear no more. With folded hands and trembling voice, she spoke once again—not in insistence, but in surrender.
“Lord of my life,” she said,
“you need not ask Kṛṣṇa for anything.
Go only to see Him.
He is the knower of all hearts.
If He wills, He will act.”
Sudāmā remained silent for a long time. His eyes were closed. The name of Kṛṣṇa flowed steadily from his lips. At last, he opened his eyes and nodded gently—not in hope of wealth, but in obedience to destiny.
“If it is His wish,” he said softly,
“I shall go.”
The Humble Gift
Satyā had nothing worthy to offer the King of Dvārakā. After much thought, she went to a neighbor’s house and begged for a handful of flattened rice (chūḍā)—the simplest of foods, once beloved by Kṛṣṇa in childhood.
She tied it carefully in a torn piece of cloth and placed it in Sudāmā’s hands.
“This is all we have,” she said with tears.
“But it is given with love.”
Sudāmā accepted it reverently, as one would accept a sacred offering.
The Journey
Barefoot, weak, and clad in tattered garments, Sudāmā began his long journey to Dvārakā. Hunger followed him like a shadow, yet his mind was filled with memories—of studying under Guru Sāndīpani, of serving together, of sharing simple meals and laughter with Kṛṣṇa.
The golden spires of Dvārakā finally rose before his eyes like a vision from another world. Guards, courtiers, and citizens gazed at the frail brāhmaṇa with curiosity, even amusement. But Sudāmā walked forward without hesitation.
He asked only one question:
“Is my friend Kṛṣṇa here?”
The Meeting of Friends
When news reached Kṛṣṇa that a brāhmaṇa named Sudāmā had arrived, the Lord’s face lit up with sudden joy. Rising instantly from His throne, He rushed barefoot toward the visitor, ignoring royal protocol.
Seeing Sudāmā, Kṛṣṇa embraced him tightly.
“O Sudāmā!” He exclaimed, His voice choked with emotion.
“After so many years—you have come!”
The Lord seated Sudāmā on His own throne, washed his feet with His own hands, and wiped them with His royal garments. Queen Rukmiṇī, astonished, assisted Him with reverence.
Sudāmā sat overwhelmed, ashamed of his rags, unable to speak. Tears flowed freely as the two friends looked into each other’s eyes—not as king and subject, not as God and devotee, but as equals bound by timeless affection.
The Hidden Offering
Kṛṣṇa noticed the small bundle clutched tightly in Sudāmā’s hand.
“What have you brought for Me, my friend?” He asked playfully.
Embarrassed, Sudāmā tried to hide it. But Kṛṣṇa gently took the cloth, opened it, and smiled with delight.
“Ah! Flattened rice!” He said joyfully.
“This is more precious to Me than all treasures.”
Before Sudāmā could protest, Kṛṣṇa ate a handful with deep satisfaction. As He reached for a second handful, Rukmiṇī stopped Him gently, aware that even this single offering had already invoked infinite grace.
Sudāmā never asked for anything. He spoke only of their childhood, of Guru, of learning, of devotion. His heart was full; he desired nothing more.
The Silent Blessing
After a short stay, Sudāmā prepared to leave. Kṛṣṇa embraced him again but said nothing of gifts or wealth.
As Sudāmā walked back toward Vṛndā Purī, doubt never entered his mind. Seeing Kṛṣṇa was reward enough.
The Miracle at the Hut
When Sudāmā reached his village, he stood stunned.
Where his broken hut once stood now rose a beautiful house. The surroundings were lush, the air fragrant, the ground cool beneath his feet. Servants hurried forward. His wife Satyā, adorned yet humble, ran toward him with tears of joy.
Without a word, Sudāmā understood.
Kṛṣṇa had come.
Not as a king, not in splendor—but as grace itself.
Kṛṣṇa’s Visit (Unseen)
Though unseen by mortal eyes, Kṛṣṇa had indeed visited Sudāmā’s hut while he was away. He had sanctified it with His presence, transforming poverty into abundance—not to reward Sudāmā, but to remove Satyā’s suffering.
Yet Sudāmā’s heart remained unchanged.
He bowed toward Dvārakā and whispered:
“You knew my need without my asking.
You protected my devotion from desire.
You remain my friend.”
The Eternal Message
Sudāmā never became proud. Wealth came, but attachment did not. His life remained simple, his devotion pure.
Thus the world learned:
• God values love, not offerings.
• Friendship with the Divine is free of bargaining.
• True devotion asks for nothing—and therefore receives everything.
And above all,
Śrī Kṛṣṇa is not won by riches, rituals, or words—
He is won by the quiet faith of a devoted heart.
( to be continued)
A Story of Dvapar Yuga in Prose (Part-31)
A Story of Dvapar Yuga (Part-30)