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Chapter 11: Oru Pidi Aval (A Handful of Aval)
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Krsna was jubilant at Sudama's gift and immediately grabbed a handful of Aval and stuffed it into his mouth. He licked his lips. "Delicious, Sudama! I love it!"
Just then, Rukmini entered and saw her husband's mouth stuffed with Aval, half of it on his lips. She laughed. "What is this, Krsna?"
"Shudhamvaa hash bwaught me dhish Awal, Wukmini!" He exclaimed with his full mouth. Rukmini and Sudama looked at Krsna. They burst out laughing.
"Krsna- 🤣 - first finish eating. YOu look terribly funny talking with you mouth stuffed with food." guffawed Sudama. They continued laughing. "🤣🤣🤣!"
Krsna joined in the laughter. He waited for Rukmini to turn the other way and look at Sudama. As soon as she did that, his hand flew to the Aval and grabbed one more handful. Hr lifted it to his mouth and was about to eat it when -
"NO Krsna!" Rukmini caught Krsna's hand, inches from his mouth. Sudama jumped out of the sudden impulse. Rukmini realised the awkwardness of the situation, and told Sudama, "Sudama, why aren't you eating? Krsna, give this Aval to Sudama!"
She mentally conversed with her Lord. "O Lord of the Universe, this One Handful of Aval (Oru Pidi Aval) which you have eaten in enough to give Sudama the riches of the whole world itself! By eating the second handful, you may give away everyone's riches to him, and leave the rest of the world in poverty!"
Mahavishnu understood what his Mahalakshmi was saying. He smiled, and fed Sudama the rest of the Aval. Sudama was overwhelmed. He spent the night with Krsna, and in the morning, he bade farewell to his friend and Lord, and started his journey home.
"Have I come back to Dwaraka?" thought Sudama, astonished. He had walked all the way to what he thought was the way to Vrindapuri, only to find himself facing a city filled with riches, resembling Dwaraka in every aspect. He scratched his head, confused, when suddenly, all the residents of Vrindapuri came out and greeted him with respect and joy. Sudama was even more confused.
He came to the spot where his hut had once been. Now in its place stood a huge palace, like the one in Dwaraka. Sudama had a sudden vision of a landlord chasing away Kalyani and his children and building this palace. He shook his head in shock and disbelief. Just then, he saw a woman coming out of the palace. It looked like Rukmini. I AM in Dwaraka, he thought. But then the woman came closer and his heart leaped to his mouth. The woman was Kalyani.
Behind Kalyani, Sudama's children came running and hugged their father. Sudama was astonished to find them dressed in royal clothes. HE looked at Kalyani, who had tears in her eyes. I could hug you right now, she thought. Sudama asked Kalyani, "How did this happen?"
Kalyani started explaining. "Last night, I was just sitting in the verandah, thinking about how you would have enjoyed with Lord Krsna. Our children had slept off. I was jut thinking thus, when suddenly the children and I were enveloped with a divine light! It engulfed us totally, making us unable to see the surroundings. When it vanished, we were sitting in this mansion full of riches! I tell you, this is all Lord Krsna's grace!"
Sudama then remembered Rukmini holding Krsna's hand. He understood everything and fell to his knees. "Krsna! You gave me so much for that oru pidi Aval! O Lord of Compassion! You truly help your devotees! O Lord, I pray to you to let me always be engaged iny our devotional services!"
With his hands folded in prayer, he thanked his friend for this blessing. From that day onwards, he lived in prosperity, but with a sense of detachment, thus fulfilling the purpose of his avatarana. The city which he lived came to be known as Sudamapuri, and later on, it changed its name to Porbandar, in the region of Saurashtra, or Gujarat. And the legacy of Sudama lives on...
Phalashruti: Anyone who hears this account of the Supreme Lord's kindness to brahmanas will come to develop love for Lord Krishna and thus become freed from the bondage of material work.
Ishaani
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