Mantralaya-2031

(Friendship between Sri Krishna and Sudhama - Part 2 )

Date : Feb 27, 2025

Dear Devotees : Namaskara.

| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||

Background

The story of the great and divine friendship between Sri Krishna and Sudama is described in Mantralaya (2031), highlighting the depth of devotion, humility, and the boundless grace of the Lord.

Meaning

In our previous article, we revisited a poignant childhood incident where Sudhama, momentarily overcome by greed, lied to his dear friend Sri Krishna and ate the Poha all by himself. This event cast a shadow over his destiny, leading him into a life of poverty and hardship.

Today, we delve into a divine composition by Sri Purandaradasaru, the soul stirring devotional song "Sudhamana Haadu," which beautifully encapsulates the essence of Sudhama's journey and the boundless grace of Sri Krishna.

As the time arrived for Sri Krishna to fulfill the divine purpose of his avatar, Sudhama was overcome with sorrow at the thought of parting from his dearest friend. Fate led them on separate paths, and years passed without a meeting. Sri Krishna ascended the throne of Dwarka, reigning in divine splendor alongside Rukmini, Satyabhama, and his other queens surrounded by boundless opulence.

Sudhama was a pure hearted soul, constantly immersed in the devotion of Sri Hari. Though he lived in extreme poverty, his heart was rich because he always saw the Lord within. He found joy in chanting the name of Sri Krishna, believing that true wealth lay in his unwavering faith. By his side was his devoted wife Susheela. Susheela stood with him through every hardship offering love and support despite their struggles.

Their poverty was heartbreaking. It was said that Sudhama could gaze at the stars from inside his home because the roof had crumbled away. While others observed Ekadashi once, Sudhama fasted two or three times a week. There were days when he and his family had nothing to eat. Yet, not once did he complain. Not once did he beg. He believed that whatever came to him was by the Lord’s will.

Susheela endured the hardships with a smile, finding strength in her husband’s devotion. But as a mother, her heart broke each time she saw her children cry from hunger. While she could bear the suffering, watching her little ones go to bed starving was unbearable. Each night, she silently prayed for a miracle, hoping the Lord would show them a way.

The mother in Susheela could no longer bear to see her children suffer from hunger. Every day, she watched them go to bed with empty stomachs and her heart ached with helplessness. One day, unable to hold back her pain, she stood silently beside Sudhama. Sudhama noticed her troubled expression and gently asked, “Dear, what is the matter?”. Susheela hesitated for a moment before lowering her voice and replying, “Nothing.” Sudhama smiled softly. “We have been together for so long. I can see that something is weighing on your heart. Please, tell me without hesitation.”. Tears welled up in Susheela’s eyes as she finally spoke “I can no longer bear to see our children starving. You always told me about your dear friend Sri Krishna, who is none other than the Supreme Lord Himself. Please, go to him, remind him of your friendship, and seek his help”. The mere mention of Sri Krishna’s name filled Sudhama with joy but he shook his head and said, “You know that I have never asked anyone for anything. In my entire life,I have never sought help, not even once.” Susheela took his hands in hers and pleaded, “My dear husband, Sri Krishna is the Supreme Lord. He is the giver of the entire universe. When a child is in need, does he not run to his mother? Sri Krishna is like a mother who listens to the cries of his children. There is no shame in seeking his help.”Sudhama gazed at his wife in admiration “Susheela, you are truly divine. You have opened my eyes and given me the chance to see my beloved Sri Krishna after so many years.”

Sudhama’s heart longed for just one thing to see Sri Krishna, to bask in his divine presence, and to receive his blessings. With unwavering devotion and a heart full of love, he resolved to embark on the journey to Dwarka, not seeking wealth or comfort, but the joy of reuniting with his dearest friend, the Lord himself.
Sudhama took a sacred bath, closed his eyes in deep devotion and offered heartfelt prayers to Lord Narayana. Turning to Susheela, he said, “Dear Susheela, I am ready to begin my journey to Dwarka. But how can I go empty handed? I have nothing worthy to offer my beloved Sri Krishna”. Susheela, with a gentle smile, handed him a small bundle of Poha and said, “I have kept this as an offering for Sri Krishna”. Sudhama’s heart swelled with gratitude. Though it was a humble gift, the thought of presenting something to the Lord filled him with immense joy.Clad in a torn dhoti and an old, frayed shawl, he carefully tied the bundle of Poha in its corner. With unwavering devotion, he lifted his voice in praise of Sri Hari and set forth on his journey. Susheela stood at the doorstep of their broken hut, watching her husband with tear-filled eyes. As he walked away, she silently prayed for his safe journey, her heart filled with faith and hope.
With unwavering devotion in his heart, Sudhama set out on his long journey to Dwarka. Every step he took was accompanied by the sweet chant of Sri Krishna’s name.As he walked, he came across a crystal clear stream, its waters shimmering under the sun. Overcome with reverence, he cupped his hands, gathered the pure water, and said, “I will use this sacred water to perform Abhisheka for my beloved Sri Krishna”. Further along his journey, he came upon a serene lake filled with blooming lotus flowers, their fragrance carried by the gentle breeze. He thought to himself, “These divine flowers will be a beautiful offering for Sri Krishna’s queens”. Carefully, he picked a handful of the finest lotuses, holding them close to his heart.With Poha tied securely in the corner of his tattered shawl, a vessel of sacred water in one hand, and a bundle of fragrant lotus flowers in the other, Sudhama finally arrived at the grand gates of Dwarka, the city of his beloved friend, the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna.
As Sudhama reached the grand entrance of Dwarka, he was stopped by the palace guards. One of them looked at him with curiosity and asked, "Who are you, Brahmin? What brings you here?". With a humble smile, Sudhama replied, "I have come to see my dear friend, Sri Krishna". The guards exchanged amused glances before bursting into laughter. "Our great king, Sri Krishna, is your friend? Look at yourself, dressed in torn rags, frail and weak. How could someone like you claim friendship with the ruler of this magnificent kingdom? Leave at once!". Undeterred by their mockery, Sudhama folded his hands and gently pleaded, "Please, just go inside and inform Sri Krishna that his old friend Sudhama has come to see him". Something in Sudhama’s eyes, a divine glow of faith and boundless love caught the attention of the guard. Moved by the purity in his gaze, the guard hesitated, then nodded and said, "Wait here. I will seek permission". The guard stepped into the opulent palace and called out loudly, "Your Majesty, a poor Brahmin stands at the gates, claiming to be your childhood friend, Sudhama. Shall I send him away?". The moment Sri Krishna heard the name "Sudhama," Sri Krishna immediately rose from his throne, his heart overflowing with joy. With urgency in his voice, he commanded, "Bring him to me at once!".

Sri Krishna, accompanied by his queens and many attendants, rushed to the palace entrance to welcome Sudhama. As Sudhama stepped forward, his eyes met the mesmerizing gaze of his beloved friend Sri Krishna. At that moment, Sudhama’s heart overflowed with devotion and tears streamed down his face. With a choked voice, Sudhama whispered, “My Lord… Sri Krishna…” and bent down to touch Krishna’s feet. But before he could, Sri Krishna swiftly pulled him up and embraced him tightly, exclaiming, “My dear friend Sudhama! It has been so long since I last saw you”. Everyone around stood in stunned silence, watching in awe. The mighty ruler of Dwarka was hugging a poor Brahmin dressed in tattered clothes, treating him like the most honored guest. With great affection, Sri Krishna held Sudhama’s hands and led him into the grand beautifully adorned palace hall. Sri Krishna seated Sudhama with care and then turned to his wives, saying, “Bring water and sandalwood”. To everyone’s amazement, Sri Krishna himself knelt down, gently washing Sudhama’s weary feet and applying fragrant sandalwood paste. The sight left the onlookers astonished how could the Supreme Lord, the King of Dwarka, serve a poor Brahmin with such love and reverence?. Smiling, Krishna addressed the gathering, “This is my dear friend Sudhama. We studied together as children. He is a Brahmin of the purest heart”. Sri Krishna then instructed his attendants to prepare a bath, fresh garments, and fine ornaments for Sudhama. Clad in his new attire, Sudhama radiated with divine grace, looking no less than a celestial being.As he marveled at his surroundings, overwhelmed by Krishna’s love, Sri Krishna warmly invited him to dine. The two old friends sat together, sharing a joyous meal, their hearts filled with happiness as they reminisced about their childhood days.

After lunch, Sri Krishna turned to Sudhama with a warm smile and said, “Now, I will spend time with my dear friend”.With genuine affection, he asked, “Sudhama, how have you been? How is your family? What brings you here, and how can I help you?”. Sudhama, with great humility replied, “By your divine grace, everything is well, my Lord”. Sri Krishna then leaned forward eagerly, his eyes twinkling with nostalgia. “Tell me, my friend, what have you brought for me as a token of our childhood memories?”. Sudhama hesitated, feeling embarrassed by the simplicity of his offering. He slowly untied the small bundle of Poha his wife had packed and said, “My wife insisted that I visit you and seek your blessings. She gave me this Poha as an offering for you”. As soon as Krishna saw the Poha, his face lit up with childlike joy. Krishna took a handful and ate it eagerly, savoring every bite. The sight of the mighty Lord of Dwarka relishing a humble meal like an innocent child left his wives and the onlookers laughing in amazement. Between mouthfuls, Krishna beamed at Sudhama and said, “Ah, this Poha has completely satisfied me!”. Overcome with devotion, Sudhama then performed Abhisheka for Sri Krishna using the pure water he had carefully carried along his journey. He also presented the lotus flowers to Krishna’s wives, who accepted them with gratitude. As the day went on, Sri Krishna and Sudhama sat together for hours, reminiscing about their childhood laughing, sharing stories, and reliving the beautiful bond that time and distance had never diminished.Sudhama barely blinked, wanting to take in every moment and cherish the divine sight of Sri Krishna for as long as possible.

Sudhama folded his hands and said with deep humility, “My Lord, I must return home. My wife is alone, and there is no one to take care of her”. Sri Krishna, unwilling to let him go so soon, gently urged, “Stay a few more days, my dear friend”. With eyes brimming with gratitude, Sudhama replied, “This divine meeting is a blessing I will cherish for the rest of my life. Your kindness knows no bounds, and I consider myself the most fortunate soul on this earth”. Sri Krishna, deeply touched, walked with Sudhama to the palace gates. With a loving embrace and a warm smile, he bid farewell to his dearest friend, watching him depart with a heart full of love and unspoken blessings.
Sudhama never once asked Sri Krishna for help, nor did he speak of the poverty and hardships he endured. Instead, he cherished every moment in the Lord’s presence seeing Him, speaking with Him, and receiving His divine blessings.
The next morning, as Sudhama neared his home, a wave of hesitation filled his heart. What will I tell Susheela if she asks, ‘Did you seek Sri Krishna’s help?’ He reassured himself, Sri Krishna will show the way.But as he reached the familiar path, he stopped in shock, his humble, broken hut was nowhere to be seen. For a moment, he thought he had lost his way. Then, his eyes fell upon Susheela, standing before a grand palace. She was adorned in an exquisite saree, glittering with gold and diamond jewelry. Their children, once clad in tattered clothes, were now dressed in the finest garments. The entrance to their home was no longer a crumbling doorway, it was now a palace with a golden door.Stunned, Sudhama turned to Susheela and asked, “What has happened?”. With overwhelming joy, she replied, “Yesterday afternoon, in an instant, everything changed! We heard a loud sound, and before we could even blink, our broken hut transformed into this magnificent palace. Everywhere I look, there is gold, diamonds, grains, fruits, and an abundance of food. And look at us, we too have changed! Tell me, dear husband, what did you ask Sri Krishna for? He has given us everything!”.

Tears welled up in Sudhama’s eyes as realization struck him. "But I did not ask for anything," he thought.His mind raced back to the time spent with Sri Krishna. He recalled the moment after lunch when the Lord had eaten the Poha and softly said, “I am now satisfied”. That single phrase had changed everything. It was not just a gift of wealth it was the divine erasure of his childhood karma when he had selfishly hidden the Poha from Sri Krishna. With deep reverence, Sudhama folded his hands. “My Lord knows everything we need. We do not need to ask—He gives in ways beyond our imagination.” With tears of devotion, he chanted Sri Krishna’s name, his heart overflowing with gratitude.
This is such a deeply emotional story, rich with profound values and life lessons.
  1. True Repentance Brings Divine Grace – Sudhama made a mistake in his childhood, but instead of letting it define him, he spent his life as a noble soul, immersed in devotion to Sri Krishna, even amidst unbearable poverty. This teaches us that mistakes are a part of life—even for those who are close to God. But what truly matters is acknowledging them, learning from them, and transforming oneself. True greatness lies not in being flawless, but in correcting our flaws and growing beyond them.
  2.  Acceptance of Karma – Every action bears its own fruit, and we must learn to accept its consequences with grace. Sudhama never questioned his poverty, nor did he blame Sri Krishna for his struggles. Instead, he embraced his hardships with a content heart, grateful for the life that Sri Krishna had given him. His unwavering faith shows us that true happiness does not come from material wealth, but from a heart that remains devoted and grateful in all circumstances.
  3. Faith is Tested in Hardships and Trials Shape Our Identity – The journey of life, shaped by our past karma, defines who we become. Sudhama endured his poverty with joy and resilience, proving that to draw the attention of the divine, one must remain strong in both joy and suffering. Faith that crumbles in adversity is not true faith. Just as raw metal must endure fire to emerge as shining gold, a soul must withstand hardships to attain divine grace.
  4. Absolute Surrender to Sri Krishna – The greatest lesson Sudhama teaches us is the importance of complete faith in Sri Krishna. He never asked for wealth or comfort—he simply surrendered, trusting that Sri Krishna knew what was best for him. Instead of asking God for material things, we should pray, “O Lord, give me only what is good for me, and always keep me under Your divine protection.” This was Sudhama’s silent prayer, and Sri Krishna, knowing all, fulfilled his needs in ways beyond imagination.We can truly witness the boundless grace of Lord Sri Krishna when the time is right, and the soul is purified through unwavering devotion. When Sudhama stood before Him, Sri Krishna did not see a poor Brahmin in tattered clothes—He saw a heart overflowing with pure love and devotion. In that moment, the Lord Himself humbly washed Sudhama’s feet, honoring the sincerity of his soul. Such is the compassion of Sri Krishna—He does not look at one’s status or wealth but at the purity of their heart.
Sudhama’s story is not just about devotion—it is a testament to unwavering faith, humility, and the ultimate grace of Sri Krishna. His journey teaches us that when we surrender fully to the Lord with love and trust, He gives us far more than we could ever ask for.

Sudhama devoted the rest of his life to the worship and remembrance of Sri Krishna, his heart forever filled with gratitude and devotion. Sri Purandaradasa beautifully expresses in his song that listening to this divine story or singing this hymn can free one from poverty and bring them closer to Lord Narayana.


The devotion towards Sri Raghavendrateertharu is the ultimate truth and is the most simple and effective way to reach Sri Hari  - "NAMBI KETTAVARILLAVO EE GURUGALA"! “Those who have complete faith in this Guru will never be disappointed.”

   || BICHALI JAPADAKATTI SRI APPANACHARYA PRIYA MANTRALAYA
   SRI RAGHAVENDRATEERTHA GURUBHYO NAMAHA||