Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa: Divine Friendship, Guru-bhakti, and the Lord’s Grace
किमनेन कृतं पुण्यमवधूतेन भिक्षुणा । श्रिया हीनेन लोकेऽस्मिन् गर्हितेनाधमेन च ॥ २५ ॥ योऽसौ त्रिलोकगुरुणा श्रीनिवासेन सम्भृत: । पर्यङ्कस्थां श्रियं हित्वा परिष्वक्तोऽग्रजो यथा ॥ २६ ॥
kim anena kṛtaṁ puṇyam avadhūtena bhikṣuṇā śriyā hīnena loke ’smin garhitenādhamena ca
[Penghuni istana berkata:] Apakah kebajikan yang dilakukan brahmana pengemis yang serabai ini? Di dunia dia dianggap hina, tercela dan tanpa kemakmuran, namun Guru tiga alam, Śrīnivāsa, melayaninya dengan penuh hormat; bahkan meninggalkan Dewi Lakṣmī di atas ranjang, Tuhan memeluknya seperti seorang abang.
Because Sudāmā appeared materially destitute and socially disregarded, yet Kṛṣṇa honored him extraordinarily—implying hidden spiritual merit and pure devotion.
The verse highlights that external poverty or social contempt does not diminish spiritual greatness; Kṛṣṇa values inner devotion and purity, not material status.
Do not judge people by appearance or prosperity; cultivate humility and respect sincere devotion and good character wherever it is found.