Shloka 8
Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa: Divine Friendship, Guru-bhakti, and the Lord’s Grace
पतिव्रता पतिं प्राह म्लायता वदनेन सा । दरिद्रं सीदमाना वै वेपमानाभिगम्य च ॥ ८ ॥
pati-vratā patiṁ prāha mlāyatā vadanena sā daridraṁ sīdamānā vai vepamānābhigamya ca
The chaste wife of the impoverished brāhmaṇa approached him, her face withered by distress; trembling in fear, she spoke as follows.
According to Śrīdhara Svāmī, the chaste lady was especially unhappy because she could not obtain food to feed her husband. Further, she was fearful to approach her husband because she knew that he did not want to beg for anything other than devotion to the Supreme Lord.
FAQs
This verse shows a pativratā remaining loyal and engaged with her husband even in severe hardship, approaching him with concern while enduring poverty and distress.
In the Sudāmā narrative, their poverty becomes unbearable; she approaches him trembling with anxiety, prompting him toward the remedy she knows—seeking help from his dear friend, Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Face hardship with steadiness, communicate sincerely within the family, and seek divine shelter and righteous solutions rather than despair—keeping dignity and devotion intact.