Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 6
Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa Receives Kṛṣṇa’s Mercy
The Gift of Flat Rice
सर्वभूतात्मदृक् साक्षात् तस्यागमनकारणम् । विज्ञायाचिन्तयन्नायं श्रीकामो माभजत्पुरा ॥ ६ ॥ पत्न्या: पतिव्रतायास्तु सखा प्रियचिकीर्षया । प्राप्तो मामस्य दास्यामि सम्पदोऽमर्त्यदुर्लभा: ॥ ७ ॥
sarva-bhūtātma-dṛk sākṣāt tasyāgamana-kāraṇam vijṅāyācintayan nāyaṁ śrī-kāmo mābhajat purā
Being the direct witness in the hearts of all living beings, Lord Kṛṣṇa fully understood why Sudāmā had come to see Him. Thus He thought, “In the past My friend has never worshiped Me out of a desire for material opulence, but now he comes to Me to satisfy his chaste and devoted wife. I will give him riches that even the immortal demigods cannot obtain.”
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī comments that the Lord momentarily wondered, “How has it come about, despite My omniscience, that this devotee of Mine has fallen into such poverty?” Then, quickly understanding the situation, He spoke to Himself the words related in this verse.
FAQs
This verse highlights that Kṛṣṇa recognizes devotion that is not motivated by prosperity; He notes that Sudāmā did not worship Him earlier with a desire for riches, indicating pure bhakti free from material motives.
Because Kṛṣṇa is sarva-bhūtātma-dṛk—He knows the heart of every being—He immediately understood why Sudāmā had come and reflected that Sudāmā’s devotion was not based on seeking wealth.
Serve and pray with sincerity rather than bargaining for results; focus on gratitude and duty, and let outcomes be received as Kṛṣṇa’s arrangement.