Sudhama

PICTURE: SUDHAMA, FRIEND OF KRISHNA IN EARLY DAYS, VISITS THE PALACE OF KRISHNA AND IS TREATED BY KRISHNA RESPECTFULLY!

Bhakt Sudhama, a gurukulam friend of Kanha, reached Dwaraka to meet his childhood friend. Sudhama had fallen on desperately bad times with nothing to feed his wife and children with. Sudhama, a great Krishna bhakt, was requested by his wife to seek Lord Krishna's help, who was then the King of Dwaraka. Sudhama did not wish to go bare-handed to meet the Lord, but the family had nothing of value.

The story goes that Sudhama's wife went from house to house and got some paddy.which she pounded and handed over the resulting "Pressed Rice" tied in a piece of cloth to Sudhama to offer to the Lord. There were hardly three mouth fulls of the pressed rice, Sudhama finally reached Dwarka.

The Lord spotted Sudhama approaching the palace from far. So happy was the Lord to see his beloved Sudhama that he ran out into the streets to embrace him. He ordered that the palace be decked up to greet his friend. Sudhama was escorted into the palace by Lord Krishna .He made him sat on this throne and the Lord along with Rukminidevi then washed Sudhama's feet and sprayed that teertham on his head and also advised others to do so. Then Kuchlean was served with food and both of them remembered their childhood days at Sandeepani Ashram.

Lord sat next to Sudhama as he rested. By now Sudhama, who was so happy to meet the Lord had forgotten that the purpose of his visit was to seek help from the Lord. He was also embarrassed to offer the humble "Pressed Rice" to the Lord. However, Lord Krishna spotted the "pack" that Sudhama was attempting to hide.

He grabbed the "Pack" from Sudhama and promptly put some aval in His mouth. At that moment all poverty disappeared from Sudhama's house and in the place of his hut stood a big palace His wife and children were dressed in royal finery and grand jewelery. Enough rice and grains filled their house to last them a lifetime.As Krishna proceeded to eat more "Pressed Rice", Rukminidevi stopped him. She knew that if Krishna were to eat that 'Rice" too then Rukmini Devi (Lakshmi Devi herself) would become a "dasi" to Kuchelan and his family.

Unaware of everything that had happened to his family and the riches awaiting him Sudhama made his way home, his heart filled with joy, after having met his childhood "sakha"..........Sudhama did not ask Krishna for anything but the Lord gave him everything and more in exchange for his "Pressed Rice".

Such is HIS Love towards his Bhaktas................It is extremely auspicious to offer 'Offering of Pressed Rice to Kanha.