Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 26
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
[Sabi ng mga taga-palasyong-loob:] Anong kabanalan ang nagawa ng gusgusing pulubing brāhmaṇa na ito? Sa mundong ito itinuturing siyang salat sa biyaya, hinahamak at mababa, ngunit ang Guru ng tatlong daigdig, si Śrīnivāsa, ay magalang na naglilingkod sa kanya; iniwan pa ang Lakṣmī na nakaupo sa higaan at niyakap siya ng Panginoon na parang nakatatandang kapatid.
FAQs
This verse highlights that external poverty or social neglect does not define spiritual worth; the Lord values devotion and purity, not material status.
Out of deep humility, Sudāmā views himself as unqualified—poor and disregarded—contrasting his condition with the Lord’s greatness.
Serve and pray without entitlement—measure success by sincerity and character rather than recognition, wealth, or social approval.