Shloka 20
Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa Receives Kṛṣṇa’s Mercy
The Gift of Flat Rice
अधनोऽयं धनं प्राप्य माद्यन्नुच्चैर्न मां स्मरेत् । इति कारुणिको नूनं धनं मेऽभूरि नाददात् ॥ २० ॥
adhano ’yaṁ dhanaṁ prāpya mādyann uccair na māṁ smaret iti kāruṇiko nūnaṁ dhanaṁ me ’bhūri nādadāt
Thinking, “If this poor wretch suddenly becomes rich, he will forget Me in his intoxicating joy,” the compassionate Lord did not grant me even a little wealth.
Sudāmā’s statement that Lord Kṛṣṇa bestowed on him “not even a little wealth” may also be taken to mean that instead of giving him wealth that was abhuri, “slight,” the Lord in fact gave him the immense treasure of His association. This alternate meaning has been suggested by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī.
FAQs
This verse explains that excessive wealth can intoxicate a person with pride and make them forget the Lord; out of compassion, the Lord may withhold riches to protect the devotee’s remembrance (smaraṇa) and humility.
Reflecting on his own poverty, Sudāmā interprets it as Kṛṣṇa’s mercy—believing the Lord prevented him from becoming materially proud and spiritually forgetful.
Treat material gains as secondary, practice gratitude in scarcity, and keep daily remembrance of God (japa, prayer, study) so success does not turn into pride or spiritual neglect.