Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 17
Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa Receives Kṛṣṇa’s Mercy
The Gift of Flat Rice
निवासित: प्रियाजुष्टे पर्यङ्के भ्रातरो यथा । महिष्या वीजित: श्रान्तो बालव्यजनहस्तया ॥ १७ ॥
nivāsitaḥ priyā-juṣṭe paryaṅke bhrātaro yathā mahiṣyā vījitaḥ śrānto bāla-vyajana-hastayā
He treated me just like one of His brothers, making me sit on the bed of His beloved consort. And because I was fatigued, His queen personally fanned me with a yak-tail cāmara.
FAQs
This verse shows that Kṛṣṇa honors His devotee as an intimate equal—like a brother—giving him comfort and affectionate care, demonstrating that bhakti, not social status, attracts the Lord’s personal attention.
Rukmiṇī’s fanning of Sudāmā expresses reverence for Kṛṣṇa’s beloved devotee and illustrates that pure devotees are honored even by royalty, because devotion is spiritually superior to worldly rank.
Treat sincere devotees and guests with warmth, humility, and practical care—seeing devotion and character as the real wealth, and serving others without pride, even when one has higher position or resources.