A Story of Dvapar Yuga in Prose (Part-32-C )
By Lokanath Mishra
Sudama in Dwarka : When Friendship Meets the Divine
Arrival at the Palace
Sudama stood at the gates of Dwarka, stunned into stillness.
Before him rose the incomparable city—vast palaces gleaming like molten gold under the sun, jeweled towers touching the sky, marble steps washed by the waves of the western sea. The air itself seemed fragrant with divinity. Guards clad in royal attire stood alert, while ministers and courtiers moved about with purpose.
Sudama instinctively lowered his head.
His torn garments, emaciated body, and matted hair felt painfully out of place amid such splendor. He clutched the small bundle of flattened rice tied in an old cloth and hesitated.
“Have I committed a grave mistake?” he wondered.
“Does a pauper belong at the threshold of a king?”
Yet, deep within, a gentle voice whispered:
“He is not merely a king. He is my friend.”
Gathering courage, Sudama stepped forward.
The Lord Sees His Friend
Before Sudama could utter a word, something extraordinary happened.
Shri Krishna—the ruler of Dwarka, surrounded by queens, ministers, and sages—suddenly rose from His throne. His eyes widened, then softened. His lips trembled.
“Sudama!”
The courtiers gasped.
Before anyone could react, Krishna ran barefoot across the jeweled hall, disregarding royal protocol. He embraced the frail Brahmin tightly, tears flowing freely from His eyes.
“My friend! My Sudama! At last you have come!”
Sudama stood frozen, overwhelmed. The King of Kings was holding him as though he were the most precious treasure in the world.
Krishna seated Sudama on His own throne, washed his feet with His own hands, and sprinkled that sacred water upon His head.
The queens watched in astonishment.
Rukmini understood and smiled.
Hospitality Beyond Words
Krishna spoke gently,
“Tell me, Sudama—how did you live? How is your family? Why did you take such trouble to come so far?”
Sudama lowered his eyes.
“Prabhu, by Your grace, we live.”
Nothing more.
Krishna knew everything, yet He asked—because love listens even when it knows.
As they spoke of their days at Guru Sandipani’s ashram, Krishna laughed like a carefree child, reminiscing old memories. For a moment, Dwarka forgot its king; the universe forgot its Lord. Only two friends remained.
Then Krishna noticed the cloth bundle.
“My friend,” He teased softly,
“you have come to see me empty-handed? Surely you have brought something for me.”
Embarrassed, Sudama hesitated.
“It is nothing, Prabhu… just some flattened rice.”
Krishna’s eyes sparkled.
He snatched the bundle eagerly and ate the rice with immense delight.
“This is the most delicious feast I have ever had!” He declared.
Rukmini watched silently. With each handful Krishna ate, she sensed something cosmic shifting—destinies rearranging themselves.
Just as Krishna reached for a third handful, Rukmini gently stopped Him.
“That is enough, Prabhu,” she whispered.
Krishna smiled knowingly.
The Silent Blessing
Sudama stayed for some time in Dwarka, treated with unmatched love and honor. Yet he never asked for anything.
Not wealth.
Not comfort.
Not relief from poverty.
His heart was full simply by being with his friend.
When it was time to leave, Krishna walked with him to the palace gates.
Sudama bowed deeply.
“Prabhu,” he said, voice trembling,
“I have received everything. I have nothing left to ask.”
Krishna embraced him once more.
“Go in peace, my friend.”
No gifts were given.
No promises spoken.
Sudama departed, content.
The Return Journey
As Sudama walked back toward his village, doubts arose.
“Why did I come so far?”
“I returned with nothing.”
“How will Satya and the children survive?”
But then he smiled.
“I saw Krishna. That is enough.”
Each step felt lighter, though his body was weary.
The Miracle at Home
As Sudama neared his village, something felt strange.
The familiar dirt paths were paved. Trees bore fruit. People wore fine clothes.
Then he saw it.
Where once stood his broken hut now rose a beautiful house—spacious, clean, radiant, surrounded by gardens. Children played joyfully. Laughter filled the air.
Sudama staggered.
“Have I lost my way?”
A woman adorned in fine garments rushed out.
“Swami!”
It was Satya.
Her eyes shone, her face glowed, her body no longer frail.
She explained through tears of joy:
“After you left, neighbors came with food. Then more help arrived. Wealth followed as if guided by unseen hands. Everything changed overnight.”
Sudama folded his hands, eyes filled with tears.
“Krishna…”
Final Realization
That night, Sudama did not sleep.
He understood.
Krishna had not rewarded him for devotion.
Krishna had not tested him for cruelty.
Krishna had honored friendship without expectation.
The Lord gives not when we demand,
but when the heart is empty of desire.
Spiritual Messages from the Story
1. True devotion asks for nothing
Sudama never prayed for wealth—only companionship.
2. God values emotion, not offering
Flattened rice offered with love outweighed royal feasts.
3. Delay is not denial
Divine timing perfects destiny.
4. Friendship with God is possible
God does not always sit on a throne—sometimes He runs barefoot to embrace you.
5. Blessings follow surrender
When the ego dissolves, grace flows silently.
( to be continued)