Shloka 38
Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa Receives Kṛṣṇa’s Mercy
The Gift of Flat Rice
इत्थं व्यवसितो बुद्ध्या भक्तोऽतीव जनार्दने । विषयान् जायया त्यक्ष्यन्बुभुजे नातिलम्पट: ॥ ३८ ॥
itthaṁ vyavasito buddhyā bhakto ’tīva janārdane viṣayān jāyayā tyakṣyan bubhuje nāti-lampaṭaḥ
So fasste Sudāmā mit geistiger Einsicht einen festen Entschluss und blieb Janārdana, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, der Zuflucht aller Wesen, vollkommen ergeben. Frei von Gier genoss er mit seiner Frau die ihm gewährten Sinnesfreuden, doch stets in der Gesinnung, am Ende jede Sinnenbefriedigung zu entsagen.
FAQs
This verse teaches that a devotee, fixed in devotion to Lord Janārdana, can renounce excessive sense enjoyment—even while connected with family—and live simply without greed.
In the Sudāmā narrative, Śukadeva emphasizes Sudāmā’s deep devotion to Kṛṣṇa and his firm intelligence, showing that true bhakti naturally brings detachment from material enjoyment.
Cultivate steady devotion and clear priorities, reduce unnecessary indulgence, and live contentedly with what is needed—without letting consumption and desire drive one’s decisions.