When Sudama met Shri Krishna

The first meeting between Sri Krishna and Sudama took place in the Gurukul of Muni Sandipani. In Gurukul only, they became acquainted with each other and turned into good friends.There's a direct reference of this in ?hrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Bhagwat Purā?a) Canto 10, Chapter 80.

At that time, Sudama was a victim of poverty. He was not having enough money to even properly feed his family. Trembling in pain, Sudama went to Dwarka in order to obtain the favours of Sri Krishna (following his wife advice). When they met, they recalled their past times in Sandipani's Gurukul (Which is Ujjain now). Do you remember what happened when we resided with our guru? On one occasion, we were urged by our guru’s wife to go and fetch some kindling. O brahmana! We entered a large forest and there was an extremely large and unseasonal storm. It was fierce and harsh and there was thunder.

With the sun having set, all the directions were enveloped in darkness. Since everything was covered in water, nothing could be discerned, the high ground or the low. We were there, struck repeatedly by the fierce wind and water. There was a deluge of water everywhere. In the forest, we could not determine the directions. Suffering, we wandered around, holding each other by the hand. Our guru, Sandipani, got to know. When the sun arose, he searched for us and found us, his disciples, in that distressed state. “Alas, my sons! You have suffered from a great deal of misery for our sake.

All beings love their own selves the most. However, devoted to me, you ignored that. This is the task of all good disciples, repaying the debt due to the guru. With pure sentiments, everything, including one’s own self, must be surrendered to the guru. O best among dvijas! I am satisfied with you. May all your desires come true. In this world and in the next, may the mantras never leave you.” 787 While we resided in our guru’s house, there were many other incidents. It is through a guru’s favours that a man becomes complete and obtains tranquility.

The brahmana replied, “O god of the gods! O preceptor of the universe! You are one who accomplishes all desires. Since my residence with the guru was with you, what could we possibly not accomplish? O lord! In the form of the mantras, your body is the brahman. You are the field where everything beneficial is sown. That you resided with the guru is itself a matter of great wonder.” ’

Sudama and Lord Krishna had met each-other for the first time, when Lord Krishna along with his elder brother Balarama had arrived in Mathura to kill Kansa. The two Lords then went to the house of the garland-maker Sudama. When Sudama saw Them he at once stood up and then bowed down, placing his head on the ground. After offering Them seats and bathing Their feet, Sudama worshiped Them and Their companions with Arghya, garlands, pan, sandalwood paste and other presentations.

[Sudama said:] O Lord, my birth is now sanctified and my family free of contamination. Now that You both have come here, my forefathers, the demigods and the great sages are certainly all satisfied with me. You two Lords are the ultimate cause of this entire universe. To bestow sustenance and prosperity upon this realm, You have descended with Your plenary expansions. Because You are the well-wishing friends and Supreme Soul of the whole universe, You regard all with unbiased vision. Therefore, although You reciprocate Your devotees’ loving worship, You always remain equally disposed toward all living beings.

Please order me, Your servant, to do whatever You wish. To be engaged by You in some service is certainly a great blessing for anyone. [?ukadeva Goswami continued:] O best of kings, having spoken these words, Sudama could understand what K???a and Balarama wanted. Thus with great pleasure he presented Them with garlands of fresh, fragrant flowers. Beautifully adorned with these garlands, K???a and Balarāma were delighted, and so were Their companions. The two Lords then offered the surrendered Sudama, who was bowing down before Them, whatever benedictions he desired.

He was born as a poor man in order to enjoy the transcendental pastimes. As per other sources: We have all heard the Krishna Sudama story. But not many of us know that Sudama was from Porbandar. In the story, he traveled from Sudamapuri to Beit Dwarka. Sudama and Krishna had studied together at the Sandipani Ashram in Ujjayini. Sudama was from a poor family. His father's name was Matuka and his mother was Rochana Devi. Shri Krishna was from the royal family. But this difference in social status did not come in the way of their friendship. They lost contact over the years and while Krishna became a powerful part of the ruling family of great repute at Dwaraka,

Sudama stayed as a humble and somewhat impoverished villager.Some time later when Sudama was going through extreme poverty, not even having enough money to feed his children, his wife Susheela reminded him of his friendship with Krishna.Though initially reluctant to go to his friend for help, Sudama finally agrees to go. He leaves with nothing but some beaten rice tied in a cloth as a present. He remembers that beaten rice is Shri Krishna's favorite and decided to give this as a gift to the Shri Krishna is greatly pleased to see his old friend. He treats him royally and with much love.

Overwhelmed by all this Sudama forgets to ask what he actually came for. But the Lord realises what His friend needs, and the Lord's consort Rukmini, incarnation of Lakshmi, gifts him with his desires. As Sudama was about to leave, Krishna stops him. He goes inside and asks Rukmini to get him the old, torn clothes which Sudama wore when he first came. Krishna takes those clothes and tells Sudama to remove the royal clothes and wear his old clothes instead. Everyone, including Rukmini is shocked hearing this. After Sudama leaves, Krishna locks himself inside his room and starts crying.

Rukmini asks him what had happened, to which Shri Krishna replies "If Sudama went wearing the royal clothes, people would've had said "Look, only because the lord is his friend he got so much", but now when he'll go in the same state as he came, the people will realise that what all I have given him is only because of his devotion". Krishna cares about his bhakt so much. On his return journey, Sudama ponders his circumstances and is thankful for the great friend he has as 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 opulent garb and waiting for him.

He lives an austere life after that, always thankful to the Lord. This miracle of faith and friendship of God Krishna and Sudama in Dwarka, is associated with the celebration of the festival of Akshaya Tritiya. Sudama is not mentioned anywhere in the very ancient scriptures Mahabharata, Harivamsa or Vishnu Purana. The story of Sudama is very popular in Bhagavatam. Hence by helping Sudama, Sudama had a large place for Shri Krishna. By this we can say Sudama loves Shri Krishna a lot. Sudama chose unshakable devotion for K???a, the Supreme Soul of all existence; friendship with His devotees; and transcendental compassion for all living beings. Not only did Lord K???a grant Sudama these benedictions, but He also awarded him strength, long life, fame, beauty and ever-increasing prosperity for his family. Then K???a and his elder brother took their leave. Jay Shri Krishna