Shloka 28
Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa Receives Kṛṣṇa’s Mercy
The Gift of Flat Rice
प्रीत: स्वयं तया युक्त: प्रविष्टो निजमन्दिरम् । मणिस्तम्भशतोपेतं महेन्द्रभवनं यथा ॥ २८ ॥
prītaḥ svayaṁ tayā yuktaḥ praviṣṭo nija-mandiram maṇi-stambha-śatopetaṁ mahendra-bhavanaṁ yathā
Joyfully taking his wife with him, he entered his home, adorned with hundreds of gem-studded pillars, like the palace of Lord Mahendra.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī comments that Sudāmā was simply astonished at the sight of his wife. As he wondered, “Who is this demigod’s wife who has approached such a fallen soul as me?” the maidservants informed him, “This is indeed your wife.” At that very moment Sudāmā’s body became young and beautiful, bedecked in fine clothing and jewelry. The word prītaḥ here indicates that these changes gave him considerable pleasure.
FAQs
This verse describes Sudāmā returning to find his simple home transformed into a palace-like residence, showing how the Lord’s grace can far exceed what a pure devotee ever asks for.
In the Sudāmā episode, Kṛṣṇa honors selfless devotion; the palace imagery emphasizes that the Lord can bestow opulence effortlessly while remaining the devotee’s affectionate friend.
Serve with sincerity rather than bargaining for results; spiritual integrity and gratitude invite inner contentment—and when gains come, view them as stewardship, not ego.