Shloka 36
Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa Receives Kṛṣṇa’s Mercy
The Gift of Flat Rice
तस्यैव मे सौहृदसख्यमैत्री दास्यं पुनर्जन्मनि जन्मनि स्यात् । महानुभावेन गुणालयेन विषज्जतस्तत्पुरुषप्रसङ्ग: ॥ ३६ ॥
tasyaiva me sauhṛda-sakhya-maitrī- dāsyaṁ punar janmani janmani syāt mahānubhāvena guṇālayena viṣajjatas tat-puruṣa-prasaṅgaḥ
He is the supremely compassionate Lord, the reservoir of all transcendental qualities. Life after life, may I serve Him with love, friendship, and affectionate devotion; and by the precious association of His devotees, may firm attachment to Him arise within me.
As explained by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, sauhṛdam here signifies affection toward Him who is so compassionate to His devotees, sakhyam is affinity manifested in the desire to live in His company, maitrī is the attitude of intimate comradeship, and dāsyam is the urge to do service.
FAQs
In this verse Sudāmā prays not for liberation or wealth, but for unbroken devotion—affection, friendship, goodwill, and service to Kṛṣṇa—continuing in every lifetime.
After being overwhelmed by Kṛṣṇa’s mercy and hospitality, Sudāmā expresses his pure-hearted desire: not material gain, but constant loving relationship with Kṛṣṇa and attachment to His devotees.
Prioritize time with sincere devotees—hearing, discussing, and serving—because attachment to the Lord naturally deepens through devotee-centered association and shared remembrance of Kṛṣṇa.