Shloka 13
Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa: Divine Friendship, Guru-bhakti, and the Lord’s Grace
स एवं भार्यया विप्रो बहुश: प्रार्थितो मुहु: । अयं हि परमो लाभ उत्तम:श्लोकदर्शनम् ॥ १२ ॥ इति सञ्चिन्त्य मनसा गमनाय मतिं दधे । अप्यस्त्युपायनं किञ्चिद् गृहे कल्याणि दीयताम् ॥ १३ ॥
sa evaṁ bhāryayā vipro bahuśaḥ prārthito muhuḥ ayaṁ hi paramo lābha uttamaḥśloka-darśanam
Urged again and again by his wife, the brāhmaṇa reflected, “To behold Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Uttamaśloka, is the greatest gain of life.” Thus he resolved to go, and he said to her, “My auspicious wife, if there is anything at home fit to be offered as a gift, please give it to me.”
Sudāmā was naturally humble, and thus although at first he was dissatisfied with his wife’s proposal, finally he settled his mind and decided to go. Now the last detail was that he had to take a gift for his friend.
FAQs
This verse states that the supreme gain is uttamaḥ-śloka-darśanam—having the audience/vision of the Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is glorified by the best prayers.
Sudāmā wished to approach Kṛṣṇa with proper etiquette and devotion, offering whatever simple item was available, showing humility and sincerity rather than wealth.
Prioritize spiritual connection with the Divine over material calculations, and offer God whatever you can with genuine devotion—even something small—while maintaining humility.