THE STORY OF DIVINE FRIENDSHIP

 Shri Krishna and Sudama

     Sudama was Shri Krishna’s friend and  devotee. He belonged to a poor Brahmin family. As they grew up, Shri Krishna got married to Rukmini and became the king of Dwarka. On the other hand, Sudama married a simple Brahmin girl and led a simple life. He had two children, but due to his austere living, he remained a poor man. 

    One day Sudama’s wife asked him to seek help from Shri Krishna but Sudama felt ashamed but decided to go to meet his friend Krishna. Sudama decided to carry along a handful of poha (flatened rice) for Shri Krishna as he didn't want to go empty handed.

    As soon as Sudama reached the palace, Shri Krishna received him with warmth and respect and made Sudama sit on His throne and washed his tired feet with sandalwood and warm water to relax him. They recalled the time spent at the Sandipani Ashram in childhood. Seeing the splendour, Sudama felt embarrassed to take out the gift. Shri Krishna immediately understood how Sudama was feeling. Seeing a small bag in Sudama’s hand, Shri Krishna asked him  what he was carrying. Sudama hesitated and moved forward the bag, which contained a handful of poha. Shri Krishna went forward and consumed a part of the poha saying that was the best thing He ever had.

     Shri Krishna thanked him for the gift and requested Sudama to have a meal with him. As both of them sat to have their meal, which was served in exquisite gold plates. Sudama felt sad as he remembered his hungry children at home. He stayed at the palace for two days but could not ask Shri Krishna for any personal favours. On the third day, he was ready to leave back home. While leaving Shri Krishna embraced Sudama and asked him to visit again.

     Touched by His love and hospitality, Sudama thanked Him. While going back to his family Sudama wondered "What shall I say when my wife asks me what I've brought back?"

     As Sudama reached back home, he was troubled seeing that there was no hut. Instead of his old hut, he saw a magnificent palace being built at the same place. As he walked towards the palace, he saw his wife coming out elegantly dressed in beautiful clothes.

     She told Sudama that Shri Krishna had helped them to get rid of the poverty and miseries. Thinking about Krishna’s love and concern, Sudama's heart filled with gratitude and tears of joy rolled down his eyes as he realised that friendship doesn’t believe in rich and poor, it only seeks love and respect.