Story of Sudama and Shri Krishna:
Sudama, a Brahmin boy, was one of Krishna's best friends during their school days. While Krishna became King, Sudama was devout but very poor, married to a poor but noble wife; they had several children. When hard times came, there was no food and the children were on the verge of starvation, Sudama's wife reminded him of Krishna. "He was your great friend in school and now he is King of Dwaraka. Why don't you go to him and ask him to help us." Sudama was reluctant to ask for money or food from Krishna; he did not want to spoil their loving friendship. But they were desperate, so Sudama finally agreed to go. But before leaving he told to his wife, "I can't go empty-handed. I should take something, as an offering at least." So she tied some puffed rice into a cloth'all that they had to eat'and tucked it into his waist, saying, "Offer him this."
Sudama walked all the way from his village and after days reached the Krishna's kingdom. But once outside Krishna's palace, he felt very shy and berated himself for coming. "I might have been his friend in school, but now he's King and I am nobody. What merit have I to even meet him, let alone ask him for anything?" Sudama wrestled back and forth in his mind, but since he had traveled so far, he finally sent a message to Krishna that Sudama, his school friend, had come.
When his message reached Krishna, the Lord immediately came running to meet his friend. Sudama stood there in simple clothes and Krishna came and embraced him as if no time had passed between them. Sudama was amazed. Krishna's queen, Rukmini, then came and together they washed Sudama's feet.
Sudama was made to sit on a plush, velvet-covered seat and they fed him a sumptuous meal. Afterwards Krishna had Sudama sit by his side and inquired, "Tell me, what can I do for you, Sudama?" By that time Sudama was melting. He could not comprehend what he was seeing and experiencing, how Krishna could treat him so tenderly. He was very humbled, so much so that he forgot all about why he had come. He could not ask for anything. Meanwhile, Krishna asked Sudama, "Did you bring anything for me?" Now Sudama was so shy, so modest, he could not even respond. There he was in Krishna's palace, being served on plates of silver and gold, and all he had brought was a handful of puffed rice! But Krishna knew everything. Sudama tried to say, "I didn't bring anything," but Krishna was clever. "You have brought one thing," he said, and with his own hands caught hold of the bundle of puffed rice, opened it and began to eat it.
Overwhelmed by all this Sudama forgets to ask for what he actually came to ask. But the Lord realises what His friend needs, and the lord's consort Rukmini incarnation of Lakshmi, gifts him with his desires. On his return journey, Sudama ponders his circumstances and is thankful for the great friend he has in Lord Krishna. When Sudama finally returns to his home, he finds a palatial mansion instead of the hut he had left. He also finds his family dressed in extremely nice garb and waiting for him. He lives an austere life after that, always thankful to the Lord.
Moral of the story:
Krishna never forgot His friend and treated Sudama with utmost respect. By His example, Krishna is teaching us about how to treat one another.
Another important lesson learnt here is about how Krishna rewards true persons. Krishna did not reward Sudama just because he was a friend. Sudama spent all of his time and effort in cultural efforts befitting a true person which explained why he was financially not well off. This included teaching religion, moral duties, and spreading spirituality through society. It is for this effort that Krishna rewards Sudama's family with wealth so that Sudama may continue to do that work.
Sorry for the long post, but now your thoughts friends...
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
