KRISHNA SUDAMA

                KRISHNA - SUDAMA         Our country is rich enough in imbibing values in the minds of children through innumerable stories, fables, puranas , legends etc.  The value and worth of each and every relationship, be it between humans, or between humans and other living beings , is so delicately and dedicatedly woven in the great works of all religions.         The true meaning and bonding of friendship are clearly depicted in the story of Sri Krishna and Sudama. Caste, creed , religion, region, status.....nothing came in the way of the friendship between Krishna and Kuchela, as Sudama is also known as.         Krishna and Sudama were great childhood friends in Guru Saandeepani's ashram.  They played, studied and spent their time together in the gurukula. Krishna was a prince whereas Sudama was a poor brahmin boy.  But their status did not stop them from growing a deep bond of love and respect for each other.         When the time came for them to say goodbye and leave for their respective places, they parted with tears rolling down their cheeks.  Years passed. Krishna and Sudama grew up, busy in their respective lives. Krishna lived in a palace, married Rukmini, and looked after his people of his state. Sudama married a poor girl, begot many children and lived in a hut, in a hand to mouth existence.         When the misery of poverty became unbearable, Sudama's wife insisted on him to seek Sri Krishna's help. Sudama was reluctant to approach a ruler for help, under the pretext of old friendship. But his wife's tears moved him to take action. He started his journey in his torn clothes and  on barefoot , carrying a small cloth bundle of  Poha, Krishna's favourite,  for his friend. After many days of travel, Sudama finally reached the palace, only to be violently stopped by the guards there. But Sudama decided to wait. The guards started shouting loudly at him, mistaking him for a beggar. Hearing the commotion, Krishna wanted to know what was happening. When he heard Sudama's name, he just came running right to the entrance gate, hugged the shy and reluctant and crying Sudama, to the astonishment of the guards and servants. Krishna was also crying. He ordered his chariot to be brought, made Sudama sit with him in the chariot, took him  to the palace and then , right to his chambers. He made Sudama sit on the Royal swing, washed Sudama's feet himself with the tepid, scented water that Rukmini brought. The pain of barefoot travel of several days vanished with Krishna's touch.        Krishna enquired everything about Sudama. He was curious to know what his friend had brought for him.  When Sudama tried to hide the dry poha , Krishna pulled it from his hands, opened it and with the delight of a child, ate three handfuls of poha.        Sudama was given royal treatment for the few days with Krishna. Even though he remembered his wife's instructions to ask Krishna's help to better his family's life, Sudama could not bring himself to beg for help. So , without seeking help, he took leave of Krishna and started on his return journey.Funny enough, Krishna also did not offer anything to Sudama.. Dreading about convincing his wife about his lapse, Sudama at last reached the street of his home.          But to his shock, his hut was not at all there. In its place, stood a big bungalow. When his wife and children came out wearing good clothes and jewels, looking happy and healthy, he could not recognize them at all. With cheerfulness and delight, everyone had a story to tell him about how the hut became a bungalow, how they  now have enough food and clothing to last a lifetime. When Sudama bowed with gratitude to Krishna mentally, his wife offered  her prayers to Krishna  loudly.       Now Sudama was free from the daily routine of finding meagre food for the family and could pursue his vedic studies and teaching of  young students. He could never forget the way Krishna handled the matter without belittling his friend.        A friend who understands our needs and helps  without making fun or ridicule, without  having any superiority feeling, without undue pride that he was able to help,  is a true friend indeed. 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶