A Story of Dvapar Yuga in Prose (Part-31)

A Story of Dvapar Yuga in Prose (Part-31)

By Lokanath Mishra

The Story of Sudama – The Poor Friend of Lord Krsna

Long, long ago, in a small village called Vṛndā Purī, there lived a very poor brāhmaṇa named Sudāmā. Though he had almost nothing to eat or wear, Sudāmā was very rich in one thing—his love for Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Sudāmā was a learned man. He knew the Vedas and Upaniṣads very well and taught a few village children without taking any money. Whatever little food he got by begging, he shared with his family. His wife’s name was Satyā, and they had four young sons.

Their house was tiny and broken. The roof leaked when it rained. There was no proper door. Often, there was no food in the house.

Sudāmā wore just one old dhotī and one torn cloth. They were full of patches. Satyā had only one old sari, which she washed, dried, and wore again and again. But even in such poverty, they never complained to God.

Sudāmā always smiled.

Why?

Because Sudāmā had something very special in his heart.

Sudāmā’s Greatest Treasure

Sudāmā’s greatest treasure was his childhood friendship with Lord Kṛṣṇa.

When he was young, Sudāmā had studied with Kṛṣṇa in the āśrama of Guru Sāndīpani. They ate together, studied together, played together, and served their Guru together. Though Kṛṣṇa later became the King of Dvārakā, Sudāmā still remembered him as the same loving friend.

Every day, Sudāmā would sit quietly and chant:

“Śrī Kṛṣṇa Govinda Hare Murāre,
He Nātha Nārāyaṇa Vāsudeva.”

While chanting, his face would glow with happiness. Hunger could not disturb him. Cold and heat could not trouble him. His heart was always full of Kṛṣṇa’s remembrance.

The Children’s Hunger

But days passed, and poverty grew worse.

Some days, there was no food at all.

Sudāmā and Satyā would give whatever little food they found to their children and drink only water themselves. Sometimes, even the children had to sleep hungry.

One night, the children cried softly from hunger.

Satyā tried to console them, but her heart was breaking. She looked at her children’s thin bodies and could not bear it anymore. With folded hands and tears in her eyes, she spoke to Sudāmā.

Satyā’s Request

She said gently,

“My lord, I know you love Lord Kṛṣṇa more than anything.
He is now the King of Dvārakā.
Why don’t you go and meet your childhood friend—
not to beg, but just to see him?”

Sudāmā was shocked.

He replied,

“No, Satyā!
How can I go to my friend to ask for help?
If a friend is remembered only in times of need, then friendship loses its purity.
I am happy just remembering Kṛṣṇa.
That itself is my wealth.”

He added softly,

“I don’t even have proper clothes to wear.
If I go to Dvārakā like this, people may laugh.
They may say—
‘Look, this poor man claims to be the King’s friend!’
That would hurt Kṛṣṇa’s honour.”

Satyā became silent.

She loved her husband’s devotion, but she was also a mother. That night, when the children slept crying with empty stomachs, her heart could take no more.

Sudāmā’s Unshaken Faith

Sudāmā noticed the silence. But instead of worrying, he closed his eyes and began chanting again.

The children cried.
The stomachs were empty.
The house was dark.

Yet Sudāmā’s voice was steady:

“Śrī Kṛṣṇa Govinda Hare Murāre…”

Sudāmā believed with all his heart:

“My friend knows everything.
If He wishes, He will come Himself.”

And indeed…this is the most important lesson from Sudāmā’s story:
• Sudāmā never asked God for wealth.
• He never complained about his suffering.
• He never doubted God’s love.

His devotion was pure, like a clear river.

And when devotion is pure, God walks toward the devotee even before being called.

Far away in Dvārakā, Lord Kṛṣṇa suddenly remembered his poor friend Sudāmā. His eyes filled with tears. He stood up from His golden throne and said:

“My friend Sudāmā is suffering.
I must go to him.”

Because for Lord Kṛṣṇa,

👑 a poor devotee is greater than a king,
🍚 a handful of love is greater than mountains of gold,
❤️ and true friendship is greater than all wealth in the world.

⸻

Moral of the story:
• Be content like Sudāmā.
• Love God without asking for rewards.
• True devotion never goes unnoticed.
• God always remembers those who remember Him sincerely.
( to be continued)