Shloka 13

Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa Receives Kṛṣṇa’s Mercy

The Gift of Flat Rice

Devanagari script

श्वोभूते विश्वभावेन स्वसुखेनाभिवन्दित: । जगाम स्वालयं तात पथ्यनुव्रज्य नन्दित: ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

śvo-bhūte viśva-bhāvena sva-sukhenābhivanditaḥ jagāma svālayaṁ tāta pathy anavrajya nanditaḥ

Translation

The next day Sudāmā set out for his home, honored by Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the self-satisfied maintainer of the universe. O King, as he walked along the road, the brāhmaṇa was filled with great delight.

Synonyms

• śvaḥ-bhūte: when the next day came
• śvaḥ-bhūte: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śvaḥ (अव्यय) + bhūta (भू-धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास (adverbial compound: “when tomorrow had come”), समस्तपदम् अव्ययवत्; अर्थे ‘अहनि’

• viśva-bhāvena: with universal affection
• viśva-bhāvena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśva (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषार्थे (sense: “universal disposition/affection”), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• sva-sukhena: with his own happiness
• sva-sukhena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + sukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive tatpuruṣa: “one’s own happiness/comfort”), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• abhivanditaḥ: honoured/greeted
• abhivanditaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhivand (धातु) + क्त (क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषणम् (qualifies implicit saḥ)

• jagāma: he went
• jagāma: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• sva-ālayam: to his own home
• sva-ālayam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + ālaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive tatpuruṣa: “one’s own abode”), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• tāta: O dear (father)/dear one
• tāta: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)

• pathy: on the road
• pathy: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pathi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative, 7th), एकवचन (Singular); वैदिक/छान्दस रूप (pathi)

• anuvrajya: having escorted (him)
• anuvrajya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu-vraj (धातु) + य (ल्यप्)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), “having followed/escorted”

• nanditaḥ: delighted
• nanditaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nand (धातु) + क्त (क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle/used adjectivally), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular)

Purport

We are here reminded that Lord Kṛṣṇa maintains the supply of desirable objects for the whole universe. Therefore it is to be understood that He was about to manifest for Sudāmā opulence greater than Indra’s. Being sva-sukha, perfectly complete in His own bliss, the Lord has an unlimited capacity for bestowing gifts.

Characters & Entities

• Sudāmā (brāhmaṇa)
• Parīkṣit Mahārāja

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna honoring His devotees like Sudama?

This verse shows Sudāmā being respectfully honored and sent home joyfully, indicating that Kṛṣṇa personally uplifts and cares for His devotee, giving inner satisfaction and thoughtful support.

Why was Sudama escorted with provisions when leaving Krishna?

The narrative emphasizes Kṛṣṇa’s affectionate hospitality—Sudāmā is not merely received with honor but also cared for practically, being accompanied and supplied for the journey home.

How can this Sudama episode be applied in modern devotional life?

Serve devotees with sincere respect and practical care, and cultivate contentment—true happiness arises from divine grace and devotion, not merely from external wealth.