Shloka 24
Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa Receives Kṛṣṇa’s Mercy
The Gift of Flat Rice
एवं मीमांसमानं तं नरा नार्योऽमरप्रभा: । प्रत्यगृह्णन् महाभागं गीतवाद्येन भूयसा ॥ २४ ॥
evaṁ mīmāṁsamānaṁ taṁ narā nāryo ’mara-prabhāḥ pratyagṛhṇan mahā-bhāgaṁ gīta-vādyena bhūyasā
As he continued to ponder, handsome men and maidservants, radiant like demigods, came forward and welcomed their greatly fortunate master with loud singing and a flourish of instrumental music.
As explained by Ācārya Viśvanātha Cakravartī, the word pratyagṛhṇan (“they acknowledged in turn”) indicates that first Sudāmā accepted the servants within his mind, deciding “My Lord must want me to have them,” and in response to the visible change in his attitude, they approached him as their master.
FAQs
This verse shows that Sudāmā is welcomed with great celebration—songs and instruments—indicating that in Kṛṣṇa’s realm, a pure devotee is honored beyond ordinary social status.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates to King Parīkṣit the scene in Dvārakā where the residents warmly receive Sudāmā as he reflects in amazement on the extraordinary reception.
Offer sincere respect and warm hospitality to devotees and guests—celebrating virtue and devotion rather than judging by wealth or external position.