Shloka 36
Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa: Divine Friendship, Guru-bhakti, and the Lord’s Grace
अपि न: स्मर्यते ब्रह्मन् वृत्तं निवसतां गुरौ । गुरुदारैश्चोदितानामिन्धनानयने क्वचित् ॥ ३५ ॥ प्रविष्टानां महारण्यमपर्तौ सुमहद् द्विज । वातवर्षमभूत्तीव्रं निष्ठुरा: स्तनयित्नव: ॥ ३६ ॥
api naḥ smaryate brahman vṛttaṁ nivasatāṁ gurau guru-dāraiś coditānām indhanānayane kvacit
Wahai yang dua kali lahir, ketika kita memasuki hutan yang sangat luas itu, tiba-tiba datang badai tak semestinya musim: angin dan hujan amat deras, disertai gelegar guntur yang keras.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that this storm arose during winter and was therefore unseasonal.
FAQs
This verse recalls Kṛṣṇa and Sudāmā serving in the guru’s household—sent to collect firewood—showing that sincere service and obedience in student life are integral to spiritual culture.
Kṛṣṇa evokes their shared gurukula memory to deepen intimacy and highlight the sacred bond formed through serving the spiritual master together, even amid hardship.
Cultivate humility and gratitude by remembering formative lessons, and practice service-mindedness—especially toward teachers and guides—steadily, even when circumstances become difficult.