Krishna and Sudama

King Parikshit bowed his head slightly and said, "Lord, I have heard from your mouth the story of Ballal’s killing. After that terrible demon died at Balaram’s hands, surely the world became peaceful. Tell me, after killing Ballal, did Balaram stay in Naimisharanya? How long did he remain there?"

Shukadeva Goswami replied, "Parikshit, when the Lord stays in a place, you should understand that some work of his is still left there. When that work is done, he leaves that place at once. In the same way, after killing Ballal, Balaram did not stay there any longer."

Parikshit asked, "Where did he go next?"

Shukadeva said, "Balaram and the Brahmins with him took leave of the sages and reached the bank of the Kaushiki River. After bathing there, they went to the side of a lake. That lake is known as the source of the Saraj River, Parikshit. From there they started their journey again. After traveling for many days, he reached Prayag and offered tarpan for the sages and ancestors. In this way, he visited places like Gayatirtha, Gangasagar, and Sangam, and then reached Mandar Mountain."

Parikshit listened carefully and asked, "What was at Mandar Mountain, Acharyadev?"

Shukadeva answered, "At that time, Lord Parashuram himself was living on Mandar Mountain, O King. Balaram met him, bowed to him, and then moved on again. He traveled to many places and took holy baths in many rivers. Then Balaram went to Rishabh Mountain, the dwelling place of Lord Vishnu. After seeing it, touching it, and bowing there, he reached Pampa Lake, South Mathura, and the sin-cleansing Setubandha. At Setubandha he gave 100 thousand cows to the Brahmins. And after that he met Sage Agastya."

Parikshit said, "Where did Balaram meet Sage Agastya, O great sage?"

Shukadeva replied, "Balaram bathed in the Kritamala and Tamraparni rivers and then went to Malaya Mountain. There he saw Sage Agastya. After bowing and offering respect to him, Balaram went toward the southern sea. There he saw Goddess Durga in the form of Kanyakumari. With great devotion he worshipped Mahamaya. Then, traveling through Kerala and Trigarta, he reached Gokarna. From there he started again and reached Dandakaranya."

Parikshit then asked, "Acharyadev, while Balaram was traveling from one holy place to another, had the Kurukshetra war already begun?"

Shukadeva said, "O King, both the Pandavas and the Kauravas were very dear to Balaram and he loved them both. So he began his pilgrimage just before the Kurukshetra war, because he did not wish to be present in that battle. So during the war he was still on pilgrimage."

Parikshit said, "Did Balaram know the news of the war, Lord? How did he hear it?"

Shukadeva replied, "Parikshit, after traveling through Dandakaranya, he came to the bank of the Narmada. There, where the city of Mahishmati stands, he bathed at Manutirtha and then set out for Prabhas Kshetra. At that holy place, a group of Brahmins greeted him.

"'Victory to Shri Balaram.'

"'Brahmins, where are you coming from?'

"'Lord, we are coming from the direction of Kurukshetra.'

"'Do you know any news from there? If so, please tell me.'

"'Lord, in the war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, most of the Kshatriya clans have been destroyed. Only the women and children of those warrior families are still alive. Everywhere there is only wailing and the sound of crying.'

"'Alas, what has happened? It feels as if someone has taken away the burden of the earth. Brahmins, is there any way now to stop this war?'

"'Lord, go there yourself and see once. In any case, the war will not last much longer.'

"'I will leave for that place at once.'"

Parikshit asked eagerly, "Acharyadev, did Balaram really then set out for Kurukshetra? What did he see there?"

Shukadeva said, "Parikshit, Balaram then set out at once toward Kurukshetra. When he reached there, he saw Bhim and Duryodhan fighting each other with maces. He tried to stop them from fighting and said, 'O King Duryodhan and Bhimasen, both of you are equal heroes. I think Bhimasen is stronger, and Duryodhan is better trained. Between two such equal warriors, it is not possible for one to truly win and the other to truly lose. Stop this fight now. This battle will bring no good to either side.'"

But neither warrior listened.

Duryodhan, burning with anger, said, "Even if God himself comes today, he will not be able to save this Bhim from my hands. His death is dancing in my hands today."

Bhim answered fiercely, "You wicked man, today I will send you to the house of Yama with the blow of my mace. There you will sit with your ancestors and drink the water we offer to them."

Shukadeva continued, "When Balaram saw that these two enemies, mad with anger, were ignoring him, and that there was no way to stop them from fighting, he understood that this was their fate. He showed no more interest in that battle and returned to Daruka. Since he came back to Daruka after many days, King Ugrasen and the other relatives welcomed him warmly. A few days later Balaram again returned to Naimisharanya."

Parikshit said in surprise, "He returned again to Naimisharanya? Why, Acharyadev?"

Shukadeva answered, "Because by then the anger and enmity within Balaram had been destroyed, O King. So the sages there lovingly had him perform the needed act of atonement."

Parikshit said, "What wonderful play of the Lord, O great sage. Though he is Ananta himself, he still freely follows all the duties that a human being should do. He keeps teaching us again and again. Acharyadev, please tell me more about the many pastimes of Shri Krishna, who is the loving Supreme Soul."

Shukadeva smiled gently and said, "Parikshit, then let me tell you about one Brahmin friend of Krishna. His name was Sudama. He was a knower of Brahman, free from greed, calm in mind, and master of his senses. But fortune was against him. He had no money at all. He was one of the poorest men in society."

Parikshit said, "Krishna’s friend, and yet so poor. Lord, I have never seen such an example before. Please tell me about this Sudama in detail, O sage."

Shukadeva began, "Listen, O King. Though he was a householder, he did not live like ordinary householders. Every day he begged for alms, and with whatever he got, he and his faithful wife satisfied their hunger. O King, because of poverty, they covered themselves with old torn clothes. Sometimes they would not get even a handful of broken rice for a whole day.

"One day, suffering greatly from hunger, Sudama’s wife said to him, 'Lord, I can no longer bear this daily pain of hunger. Please do something.'

"'I understand your pain, blessed one. But I am a poor Brahmin. What way do I have to gain anything more than this?'

"'Shri Krishna, the Lord of Lakshmi himself, is your friend. I have heard that he loves his devotees deeply, protects those who surrender to him, and has great devotion for Brahmins. He is the greatest shelter of good people. I say, please go to him once. Perhaps our fortune may change.'

"'Why should I go to Krishna, blessed one?'

"'If he learns that his friend is passing his days in such constant suffering, he will surely remove your sorrow. He will give you whatever is needed for our household. My heart says that he will not send you away empty.'

"'What are you saying? He is my friend, my dear companion. Shall I stretch out my hand before him? Let him be a king, still I cannot beg in that way from my own friend.'

"'And if we die from hunger here, will you be able to accept that?'

"'Do not say such things. I truly do not understand what I should do. Besides, I do not even know exactly where he is now.'

"'I will tell you his address, his address, Lord. Krishna now lives in Dwaraka as the leader of the Yadava kings of the Bhoja, Vrishni, and Andhaka clans. The whole pure world knows of his generosity. Drawn by the love of a devotee, he can even give himself away. Giving a little wealth there is no great matter for him, husband.'

"'Do you really say so?'

"'Yes, surely I do. You are, you are his dearest friend. I say, if you just stand before him once, he will at once understand your condition. You will see, by his blessing we will no longer remain poor.'

"'Very well, since you are saying it so strongly, I will go to Krishna. But not to beg. After a long time I will meet my friend, and for that alone I will go there. If I get to see him once, then even if I return empty-handed, I will have no regret.'

"'Very well then, go and at least meet your dear friend.'

"'But blessed one, however poor we may be, it does not look right to go to meet a friend empty-handed. And he is the greatest among the Yadavas. Is there anything at home that can be given as a gift?'

"'Do not worry. A gift, a gift, a gift I will arrange right now.'"

Shukadeva said, "Saying this, the Brahmin woman begged four handfuls of flattened rice from the houses of neighboring Brahmins, tied it in a clean piece of cloth, and gave it as a gift. Taking that gift, the Brahmin set out for Dwaraka."

Parikshit asked, "Well then, after reaching Dwaraka, was Sudama able to reach Shri Krishna easily?"

Shukadeva replied, "Parikshit, it was not easy at all to reach Krishna through the strict guard of the Yadava soldiers. The place was closely surrounded by soldiers. But the rules were much softer for Brahmins. Joining other visiting Brahmins, Sudama passed through that guarded ring. Then he crossed three palaces and reached the royal house of the Andhaka and Vrishni Yadavas."

Parikshit asked, "Was that where the palaces of Shri Krishna’s 16 thousand queens were, Acharyadev? Was that where they met?"

"Yes, O King," said Shukadeva. "That was where Krishna’s 16 thousand queens lived. As Sudama walked around there, he entered one of those palaces, and as soon as he entered, his heart filled with pure joy. That palace was one of Shri Rukmini’s palaces. Krishna was there then. He was sitting on the bed of his beloved Rukmini. Seeing the Brahmin coming from a distance, he recognized him and at once rose from the bed, went to him himself, and embraced him with great joy.

"'Friend, Krishna’s friend, my friend, mine! After how many ages I am seeing you. So at last you remembered your friend? You too had completely forgotten, forgotten us, friend.'

"Sudama said, 'No, friend, you live awake in my heart, dear one. But friend, all people are bound by the ties of action. In human life, karma-yoga is the greatest yoga. Once someone takes shelter of it, he must be ready to give up everything else in life.'

"Krishna smiled and said, 'Then have you given up even me, friend? Come, friend, come with me. Come sit on this bed. First let me hear about you, then we will talk of other things.'"

Shukadeva continued, "Krishna took the Brahmin by the hand and seated him on his own bed. Then with his own hands he washed his feet and worshipped his whole body with sandalwood, aguru, and other things. After that he sat beside him and began to ask about his well-being. Hearing Sudama’s voice, Balaram also came there and embraced him."

Parikshit said softly, "Ah, the Lord never forgets his devotee. More than that, melted by the love of a true devotee, he even serves him. Then, then what happened, Acharyadev?"

Shukadeva said, "Parikshit, the Brahmin was wearing dirty clothes. His body was very thin, and his skin was very dark with dirt. Seeing Krishna serve such a man with his own hands, the women of the inner palace were greatly surprised. They began to talk among themselves.

"'Look, look at that Brahmin. What a worn-out body, dirty clothing, and dusty skin. Yet who knows by what merit Krishna himself is busy honoring and serving him.'

"'Not only that, even Balaram has come and embraced him.'"

While the women in the inner chambers were speaking like this, Krishna and Sudama sat together and remembered many events from their days in the gurukul.

Krishna asked, "Friend, did you marry a worthy woman?"

Sudama replied, "Yes, friend. I did marry. But sometimes I feel that I made a mistake in doing so. I have only been able to give my wife her due respect, but but I have not been able to give her any of the happiness of household life. She is deeply faithful. So she shares equally with me all the daily suffering and pain."

Krishna said, "I know, friend, that though you live in the world, you are not attached at all to worldly things. There are very few people in this world who leave aside worldly desires and keep working for the good of others. You are one of them, and that is not unknown to me."

Sudama looked at him with wonder. "We have not met for so long, and yet you know so much about me."

Krishna replied, "How can I help knowing? You are my life’s friend, my dearest companion."

Sudama said, "Krishna, you are great. You are the form of the Supreme Soul. In the form of the guru, the father, and the teacher, you are present in all classes of varna and ashrama. Do you remember?"

Krishna said, "Yes, I remember. How can I not remember the days when we lived in the gurukul? All those events float before my eyes like pictures. Do you remember that once, while we were in the gurukul, our guru’s wife sent us into the forest to bring wood? And that day we went deep into the forest."

Sudama nodded. "How could I not remember? We had gone deep into the forest, and just then suddenly a fierce storm and rain began at the wrong time. Terrible thunder roared in the sky and lightning flashed. By then the sun had set, and thick darkness had fallen over the forest. Water had covered everything, and pits and paths had all become one. Father, it was like a small destruction of the world. In that storm and rain we lost our way. Do you remember?"

Krishna said, "After that, all through the night, the two of us held each other’s hands in the darkness and searched this way and that for the path."

Sudama said, "Truly, that was a day indeed. When Gurudev Sandipani learned of it, how worried he was that day. As soon as the sun rose the next morning, he entered the deep forest with the other students to search for us. And when he found us, our condition was very serious. I remember that day he said, 'Children, for my sake you have suffered so much today. To every person, his own body and life are the dearest things. It is to save them that people struggle so much. But you have treated even your own lives as nothing and offered yourselves in my service. I am very pleased with you. I bless you that all your wishes, all your desires, may be fulfilled. May the Vedas you have studied never be forgotten. And may they never prove fruitless anywhere, either in this world or in the next.'"

Sudama then said with deep feeling, "Ah, we saw so many such moments in the gurukul. Peace and fullness in life can come only by the guru’s grace. Krishna, I am most fortunate that in the gurukul I had the company of one like you, who is rooted in truth and is the Supreme Soul himself. I desire nothing more."

Parikshit said, "What a wonderful example of friendship. Ah, may all people in all ages receive such friendship. Then what happened, Acharyadev? Please tell me more stories of Krishna and Sudama’s friendship."

Shukadeva said, "Parikshit, you already know, O King, that Krishna loved joking very much. None could equal him in making playful jokes with his own people. And why should he leave out his dear friend from that? So, after talking with Sudama for a long time, Krishna felt like joking with him and asked, 'Friend, everything is fine. But you have not told me what gift you have brought from home for me.'"

He paused and then said, "Till then Sudama had not given his friend the gift he had brought."

Parikshit asked, "Why not, Acharyadev?"

Shukadeva answered, "Parikshit, after coming to Dwaraka and seeing such splendor and royal arrangements around Krishna, Sudama felt ashamed to offer that small gift to him. So he had kept it hidden in his little bundle all this time. But Lord Krishna knows everything, so he understood this and brought up the matter in a playful way.

"'King, what happened, friend? Why are you silent? Come, give it. What have you brought for me? Look, no matter how small a gift my devotees lovingly offer me, it is priceless to me. But if someone gives something without devotion, then no matter how valuable it is, I am not pleased by it.'"

Parikshit asked, "Then did the Brahmin give those four handfuls of flattened rice to Krishna?"

Shukadeva said, "O King, even after hearing these words from Krishna, the Brahmin sat silent with his head lowered. But Krishna knows the thoughts of all beings in all three times. So he quickly understood the doubt, shame, and hesitation moving in Sudama’s mind. He thought to himself, Sudama is my dear friend. Yet before this he never worshipped me in hope of gaining wealth. This time he has had to come here to please his faithful wife. So I will give him such wealth as is very rare even for the gods. But I will not say anything of it in front of him, so that he does not feel ashamed, and so that the bond of our friendship does not grow weak."

Then Shukadeva continued, "As Krishna was thinking this, he saw a bundle of flattened rice inside the Brahmin’s cloth. The moment he saw it, he quickly snatched that little bundle from the Brahmin and said, 'Ah, everyone who comes to see me brings something or other. And if you say you brought nothing, do you think I will accept that? Let me see what is in your bundle. Ah, what is this tied in this piece of cloth?'"

Sudama said shyly, "Oh, it is nothing much, friend. Just a little flattened rice."

Krishna laughed with affection. "Friend, you were hiding this bundle of flattened rice all this time? Why? Were you planning to eat it all by yourself? You know this is one of my favorite foods. Even then you hid it like this. This is very unfair of you. I will eat all this flattened rice right now. Do you know? This can satisfy not only me, but the whole world."

Shukadeva said, "Saying this, Krishna took one handful of flattened rice from the bundle and ate it. As he reached in for a second handful, Goddess Bhagavati herself in the form of Rukmini stopped him and said, 'Lord, there is no need for you to eat any more of this flattened rice. This one handful is enough to satisfy you. By this alone, your devotee will gain all the wealth needed for this world and the next.'"

Krishna said, "All right, very well, let it be so, beloved."

Shukadeva then said, "Parikshit, at Krishna’s request, that Brahmin spent the night that day in Krishna’s own palace. Eating food served by Rukmini herself, food like nectar, his long hunger and thirst were satisfied. He felt as if he had entered Vaikuntha. The next day he took leave of his friend and started back for home."

Parikshit asked, "Acharyadev, the Brahmin had come to Krishna to ask for the wealth needed to remove his poverty. What happened about that?"

Shukadeva replied, "And yet he returned empty-handed, Parikshit. He asked Krishna for nothing. Krishna also gave him nothing openly. Rather, Sudama felt a little ashamed of the hidden wish with which he had come to meet Krishna. His heart was then full of the joy of seeing Krishna. As he walked, he kept thinking within himself.

"'Ah, what a wonder. He is the greatest of noble families, yet how steady is his devotion toward Brahmins. That he considers Brahmins as his chosen deity—this is very hard to believe unless one sees it with one’s own eyes. On the chest where Goddess Lakshmi always dwells, he embraced a poor man like me on that very chest.'"

Thinking such thoughts again and again, Sudama’s eyes filled with tears.

He thought, "Friendship means so much to the greatest of the Yadus, that Krishna seated me on the very bed where he and Rukmini, who is Lakshmi herself, rest. He treated me like his own brother. Even Goddess Rukmini herself served me by fanning me."

Again he thought, "He whom even the gods worship served my feet with his own hands, satisfied my hunger and thirst, and even worshipped me. But even after all this, by his grace he did not give me any worldly wealth. Truly, perhaps he feared that if I gained wealth, I might become lost in enjoyment and forget him. That is why perhaps he kept me away from the means of worldly pleasure. In a way, that is good. I am a poor Brahmin. What use have I for luxury? If each day I somehow get enough food for two meals, I am happy. By seeing Krishna and gaining his company, I have received far greater wealth than any worldly riches. I have received far greater wealth."

Shukadeva said, "Thinking all this, he reached the front of his home. He saw that where his broken hut had once stood, there now stood a huge shining palace made of bright jewels and precious stones. A wall surrounded the palace on all sides. Inside that enclosure there were many colorful gardens and groves. In those gardens many kinds of birds sat in groups, singing and making sweet sounds. Beautiful, well-dressed people were moving about here and there through the palace."

Sudama stopped and thought, "What am I seeing? Whose place is this? Where has my broken hut gone? And, and how was such a palace built here so quickly?"

Parikshit asked, "Truly, O sage, then where did Sudama’s hut go? And whose was that palace?"

Shukadeva answered, "Parikshit, as Sudama stood amazed, looking at that palace and wondering in his mind, a group of men and women beautiful like gods came out of the palace, singing songs of welcome, and moved forward to receive him."

Parikshit then asked, "Acharyadev, where had the Brahmin woman gone? She too had been in that broken hut and had been waiting for her husband’s return."

Shukadeva said, "O King, that palace really belonged to Krishna’s friend Sudama himself. And the Brahmin woman was inside the palace. When she heard that he had arrived, she quickly came out, surrounded by maidservants. Seeing her husband, her eyes filled with tears. Trying in vain to hold back those tears, she bowed to him. Seeing her, beautiful like Goddess Lakshmi herself, Sudama was greatly astonished."

Parikshit said, "What did Sudama do then, Acharyadev? What did he say to his wife?"

Shukadeva answered, "At that moment, seeing his wife in that form, Sudama was overcome with wonder. So without asking any questions, and showing her great love, he entered his house with her."

Parikshit said, "Please describe that palace, O sage. I am very eager to know."

Shukadeva replied, "O King, in that mansion there were many pillars made of hundreds of pearls and jewels. In the rooms there were beds made of ivory. They were covered with cloth worked in gold. In every room there were fans and ornaments with golden handles. And there was a throne too. It was fully covered in gold."

Parikshit asked, "But seeing all this, did no question arise in Sudama’s mind, Acharyadev, about where all this great wealth had come from? How it had come?"

Shukadeva said, "It took Sudama quite some time to recover from his first great wonder. Then he began to think about the cause of this wealth. But not understanding anything, he sat beside his wife and began to speak gently.

"'What is happening to me? I understand nothing. What is the source of this great wealth and prosperity? I have been poor and unlucky from birth. Then where, where has all this wealth of mine come from?'

"His wife said, 'You went to meet your friend, but I still have not heard everything about it. Did you ask him for what you had gone to ask?'

"'No, I did not ask for anything.'

"'Then, then did you tell him about our poverty?'

"'No, blessed one. My, my time passed in talking with him of many other things. We spent almost the whole night remembering the deeds we did together during our days in the gurukul.'

"'Did you give him your gift? Did he accept it?'

"'Blessed one, I did not have the courage to give him such a small gift by my own hand. But when he saw that gift in my bundle, he himself gladly accepted it and at once, with great joy, put one handful of it into his mouth.'

"'Ah, that is just like a true friend. But husband, he gave you proper honor.'

"'Then, blessed one, what can I say to you of my good fortune? My friend knows all my news even from so far away. After I reached there, he washed my feet with his own hands, anointed my body, seated me on his own bed, and embraced me without minding my dirty clothes. Goddess Lakshmi herself served me with a fan and placed food on my plate with her own hands. Seeing their steady devotion toward Brahmins, I was greatly amazed. I am most fortunate, most fortunate. I am.'

"'Ah, then all that people say about Krishna is true.'

"'Yes, blessed one. He is at once supremely merciful, the greatest lover of devotees, and the shelter of the world.'

"'But, but your friend did not give you any worldly wealth.'

"'Not openly. But now it seems to me that this huge palace in place of my broken hut, this wealth, all this is my friend’s gift. My friend Shyamsundar knows everything, so he surely understood the wish in my heart. But he also remembered my shame. So, without saying anything to me directly, he removed my sorrow in this way. Crores and crores of bows at his feet. He did not even let me understand that he had given us such a great gift. Do you understand, blessed one? My friend is more generous than a cloud. Though a cloud has the power to fill the ocean, it does not pour before the farmer’s eyes. In the darkness of night it fills the fields with water and gives it as if it were a small thing. My friend is like that too. Though he gave this vast wealth behind my back, he spoke nothing except sweet words. I gave him only one handful of flattened rice, and what did he give me in return?'

"'May we spend our whole lives in the love of Krishna.'

"'Yes, you have spoken rightly. May I never, in birth after birth, be deprived of his love, his friendship, his companionship, his service. I do not want, do not want all this worldly wealth. I do not want it. May my love for Shri Krishna’s lotus feet increase—that will be my true wealth, blessed one. Come, let us accept with all our hearts this gift of our friend. But let us also make a vow that apart from his feet, we will have no attachment to anything else.'

"'You are right, husband. Let our attachment be only to the love of Krishna, only to gaining his feet.'"

Parikshit said, "Krishna is unconquerable. But his friend Sudama saw with his own eyes that before a devotee’s love, he again and again allows himself to be conquered. What did Sudama do after that, Acharyadev?"

Shukadeva replied, "The wealth given by Krishna removed all their sorrow, that is true. But that wealth could not bind them. Renunciation, renunciation itself, was their ornament. So they were not covered by attachment to that wealth, O King. They became absorbed in meditation and austerity. When the knot of ignorance was loosened by meditation and yoga, they found shelter in Vaikuntha. Like the Lord himself, his divine play is beautiful in every way. The stories of his play purify the human mind and free it from all impurity."