Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 7
Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa Receives Kṛṣṇa’s Mercy
The Gift of Flat Rice
सर्वभूतात्मदृक् साक्षात् तस्यागमनकारणम् । विज्ञायाचिन्तयन्नायं श्रीकामो माभजत्पुरा ॥ ६ ॥ पत्न्या: पतिव्रतायास्तु सखा प्रियचिकीर्षया । प्राप्तो मामस्य दास्यामि सम्पदोऽमर्त्यदुर्लभा: ॥ ७ ॥
sarva-bhūtātma-dṛk sākṣāt tasyāgamana-kāraṇam vijṅāyācintayan nāyaṁ śrī-kāmo mābhajat purā
Bilang tuwirang saksi sa puso ng lahat ng nilalang, lubos na naunawaan ni Śrī Kṛṣṇa ang dahilan ng pagparito ni Sudāmā. Kaya naisip Niya: “Ang kaibigang ito ay hindi kailanman sumamba sa Akin dahil sa pagnanais ng yaman; ngayon siya’y dumating upang pasayahin ang kanyang tapat at debotong asawa. Bibigyan Ko siya ng kayamanang maging ang mga walang-kamatayang deva ay bihirang makamtan.”
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī comments that the Lord momentarily wondered, “How has it come about, despite My omniscience, that this devotee of Mine has fallen into such poverty?” Then, quickly understanding the situation, He spoke to Himself the words related in this verse.
FAQs
This verse highlights that a true devotee does not approach Kṛṣṇa for material gain; Kṛṣṇa recognizes and values devotion that is free from selfish motives.
Because Kṛṣṇa, as the indwelling witness of all beings, immediately understood Sudāmā’s inner intention and reflected that Sudāmā’s devotion was not driven by greed.
Serve and pray with sincerity rather than bargaining for results—do your duty, remember God, and let outcomes be offerings rather than demands.