Shloka 26
Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa: Divine Friendship, Guru-bhakti, and the Lord’s Grace
किमनेन कृतं पुण्यमवधूतेन भिक्षुणा । श्रिया हीनेन लोकेऽस्मिन् गर्हितेनाधमेन च ॥ २५ ॥ योऽसौ त्रिलोकगुरुणा श्रीनिवासेन सम्भृत: । पर्यङ्कस्थां श्रियं हित्वा परिष्वक्तोऽग्रजो यथा ॥ २६ ॥
kim anena kṛtaṁ puṇyam avadhūtena bhikṣuṇā śriyā hīnena loke ’smin garhitenādhamena ca
[Die Palastbewohner sagten:] Welche Frömmigkeit hat dieser verwahrloste Bettel‑Brāhmaṇa wohl vollbracht? In der Welt gilt er als glücklos, verachtet und niedrig, und doch dient ihm der Lehrer der drei Welten, Śrīnivāsa, ehrerbietig; Lakṣmī auf dem Lager zurücklassend, umarmte der Herr ihn wie einen älteren Bruder.
FAQs
This verse highlights that external poverty or social neglect does not define spiritual worth; the Lord values devotion and purity, not material status.
Out of deep humility, Sudāmā views himself as unqualified—poor and disregarded—contrasting his condition with the Lord’s greatness.
Serve and pray without entitlement—measure success by sincerity and character rather than recognition, wealth, or social approval.