Shloka 18

Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa Receives Kṛṣṇa’s Mercy

The Gift of Flat Rice

Devanagari script

शुश्रूषया परमया पादसंवाहनादिभि: । पूजितो देवदेवेन विप्रदेवेन देववत् ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

śuśrūṣayā paramayā pāda-saṁvāhanādibhiḥ pūjito deva-devena vipra-devena deva-vat

Translation

Though He is the Lord of all the devas and the One worshiped by the brāhmaṇas, the Deva of devas honored me as if I were a deva—massaging my feet and rendering other humble services.

Synonyms

• शुश्रूषया: by service/attendance
• शुश्रूषया: करण (Karaṇa/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुश्रूषा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), एकवचन; करण-भावे (by service)

• परमया: supreme/very great
• परमया: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (śuśrūṣayā)

• पादसंवाहनादिभिः: by foot-massage and other (services)
• पादसंवाहनादिभिः: करण (Karaṇa/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक) + संवाहन (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (पादस्य संवाहनम्); ‘आदि’ सहित बहुवचन-समाहार; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), बहुवचन; करणम्

• पूजितः: honored/worshiped
• पूजितः: कर्म (Karma/कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √पूज् (धातु) + पूजित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कृदन्तः—क्त (PPP), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; कर्मणि—‘was honored’

• देवदेवेन: by the God of gods
• देवदेवेन: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (देवानां देवः); पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), एकवचन; कर्तृ-करण-भावे (agent in passive)

• विप्रदेवेन: by the brāhmaṇa-deva (the divine brāhmaṇa)
• विप्रदेवेन: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक) + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समासः (‘vipra who is like a god’ / ‘god among brāhmaṇas’); पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), एकवचन; कर्तृ-करण-भावे

• देववत्: like a god
• देववत्: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: देववत् (अव्यय/तद्धित)
• Form: अव्यय—तुल्यतावाचक तद्धितान्त (वत्), उपमा-अर्थे

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Sudāmā (brāhmaṇa friend of Kṛṣṇa)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about serving devotees of Krishna?

This verse shows Kṛṣṇa personally honoring and serving His devotee Sudāmā, teaching that devotion and service to devotees are supremely valued by the Lord.

Why did Krishna worship Sudama like a god in Bhagavatam 10.81?

Because Sudāmā was a pure brāhmaṇa devotee and Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of lords, delights in glorifying His devotees—showing that bhakti is greater than worldly status or wealth.

Practical application of Sudama and Krishna’s meeting in modern life?

Practice humility, honor saintly people, and cultivate sincere service (seva) in relationships—especially toward devotees and teachers—rather than seeking prestige or material gain.