Çrémad-Bhägavatam: Canto 10

Chapters 80-81

PASTIME OF SUDÄMA

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PASTIME OF SUDAMA
(SB 10.80-81)

Contents

SB 10.80. THE BRÄHMAËA SUDÄMÄ VISITS LORD

KÅÑËA IN DVÄRAKÄ
I. Mahäräja Parékñit’s question ..................................................................... 5
II. Sudäma’s condition .................................................................................. 6
III. Wife approaches Sudäma and speaks ..................................................... 7
(i) Kåñëa – your friend ............................................................................. 8
(ii) Kåñëa will give wealth & lotus feet ................................................... 8
IV. Sudäma’s preparation.............................................................................. 9
V. Kåñëa receives Sudäma ............................................................................ 9
(i) Kåñëa’s reception ............................................................................... 10
(ii) Rukmiëé’s reception ......................................................................... 12
(iii) Palace residents ............................................................................... 13
VI. Kåñëa remembers the time spent in Gurukul together ........................ 13
(i) Inquiry about the present ................................................................. 13
(ii) Remembrance of the past ................................................................. 13
(iii) Glories of service to Guru ............................................................... 14
(iv) Examples of Faithful service ........................................................... 15
(v) Kåñëa concludes ............................................................................... 17
VII. Sudäma speaks, defends ...................................................................... 18

SB 10.81. THE LORD BLESSES SUDÄMÄ BRÄHMAËA

VIII. Lord speaks, asks for rice ................................................................... 19
(i) Small gifts offered by devotees > great offerings of non-devotees .... 19
IX. Rukmiëé says ........................................................................................ 22
X. Sudäma spends night in Dvärakä........................................................... 22
XI. Sudäma’s thoughts ................................................................................ 23
XII. Bhakti – Root cause of perfections ...................................................... 24

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XIII. Why Lord did not grant me wealth ................................................... 25

XIV. Sudämä's Palace.................................................................................. 25
XV. Sudämä's Contemplation..................................................................... 26

10 LESSONS FROM SUDÄMÄ PASTIME (SB 10.80)

1. Importance of Ashrama..........................................................................29
2. Grihasta means detachment...................................................................29
3. Training is the foundation of any Ashrama...........................................29
4. Why should one be trained? .................................................................. 29
5. How should one serve guru? .................................................................. 30
(i) Symptoms of Kanishta & Madhyama Sanga: .................................... 31
7. What is the goal of Guru seva? .............................................................. 31
(i) Dedication ......................................................................................... 31
(ii) Selfless Surrender ............................................................................. 32
8. What are the Benefits of Vaisnava Seva? ................................................ 32
(i) Satisfaction of desires & (ii) Stability of Spiritual Knowledge ......... 32
(iii) Success & (iv) Santi – Supreme Peace............................................ 33
9 & 10. Conclusion .................................................................................... 33

QUALITIES OF KÅÑËA (SB 10.81)

XVI. Kåñëa is All Knowing ......................................................................... 34
XVII. Kåñëa Reciprocates with His Cherished Servants ............................. 34
XVIII. Kåñëa Accepts the Love of Devotees ............................................... 34
XIX. Kåñëa Showers Unlimited Mercy on His Devotees ............................ 35
XX. Kåñëa Snatches Devotees’ Loving Offering ......................................... 35
XXI. Two Results of Satisfying Kåñëa ......................................................... 35
(i) Satisfies the Universe ........................................................................ 35
(ii) Satisfies Goddess of Fortune ............................................................ 36
XXII. How does Kåñëa Satisfy a Devotee? .................................................. 36
XXIII. Trustworthy ..................................................................................... 37
(i) Integrity ............................................................................................. 37
(ii) Intimacy ........................................................................................... 37
(iii) Compassion..................................................................................... 38
XXIV. Summary .......................................................................................... 39
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SUDÄMÄ'S PRAYERS (SB 10.81)

1. DISTRIBUTES ......................................................................................... 40
2. MAGNIFIES............................................................................................ 40
(i) 6 kinds of Vision ............................................................................... 40
3. ATTRACTS ............................................................................................. 41
4. DISCRIMINATES ................................................................................... 41
(i) Sudämä’s Attitude ............................................................................. 41
5. CONCLUSION ....................................................................................... 42
(i) Meditation ......................................................................................... 42
(ii) Transformation ................................................................................ 42
(ii) Information ...................................................................................... 43

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PASTIME OF SUDÄMÄ
(SB 10.80-81)

80. The Brähmaëa Sudämä Visits Lord Kåñëa in Dvärakä

I. Mahäräja Parékñit’s question

TEXT 1
çré-räjoväca
bhagavan yäni cänyäni
mukundasya mahätmanaù
véryäëy ananta-véryasya
çrotum icchämi he prabho

King Parékñit said: My lord, O master, I wish to hear about other valorous
deeds performed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Mukunda,
whose valor is unlimited.

TEXT 2
ko nu çrutväsakåd brahmann
uttamaùçloka-sat-kathäù
virameta viçeña-jïo
viñaëëaù käma-märgaëaiù

O brähmaëa, how could anyone who knows the essence of life and is
disgusted with endeavoring for sense gratification give up the
transcendental topics of Lord Uttamaùçloka after hearing them repeatedly?

TEXT 3
sä väg yayä tasya guëän gåëéte
karau ca tat-karma-karau manaç ca
smared vasantaà sthira-jaìgameñu
çåëoti tat-puëya-kathäù sa karëaù

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Actual speech is that which describes the qualities of the Lord, real hands
are those that work for Him, a true mind is that which always remembers
Him dwelling within everything moving and nonmoving, and actual ears
are those that listen to sanctifying topics about Him.
TEXT 4
çiras tu tasyobhaya-liìgam änamet
tad eva yat paçyati tad dhi cakñuù
aìgäni viñëor atha taj-janänäà
pädodakaà yäni bhajanti nityam
An actual head is one that bows down to the Lord in His manifestations
among the moving and nonmoving creatures, real eyes are those that see
only the Lord, and actual limbs are those which regularly honor the water
that has bathed the Lord's feet or those of His devotees.
TEXT 5
süta uväca
viñëu-rätena sampåñöo
bhagavän bädaräyaëiù
väsudeve bhagavati
nimagna-hådayo 'bravét
Süta Gosvämé said: Thus questioned by King Viñëuräta, the powerful sage
Bädaräyaëi replied, his heart fully absorbed in meditation on the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Väsudeva.

II. Sudäma’s condition

TEXT 6
çré-çuka uväca
kåñëasyäsét sakhä kaçcid brähmaëo brahma-vittamaù
virakta indriyärtheñu praçäntätmä jitendriyaù
Çukadeva Gosvämé said: Lord Kåñëa had a certain brähmaëa friend
[named Sudämä] who was most learned in Vedic knowledge and detached
from all sense enjoyment. Furthermore, his mind was peaceful and his
senses subdued.

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TEXT 7
yadåcchayopapannena
vartamäno gåhäçramé
tasya bhäryä ku-cailasya
kñut-kñämä ca tathä-vidhä

Living as a householder, he maintained himself with whatever came of its

own accord. The wife of that poorly dressed brähmaëa suffered along with
him and was emaciated from hunger.

5 Qualities of a Brähmaëa
(1) Learned in Vedic knowledge
(2) Detached from all sense enjoyment
(3) Mind peaceful
(4) Senses subdued.
(5) Maintains himself with whatever comes of its own accord.

III. Wife approaches Sudäma and speaks

TEXT 8
pati-vratä patià präha
mläyatä vadanena sä
daridraà sédamänä vai
vepamänäbhigamya ca

The chaste wife of the poverty-stricken brähmaëa once approached him,

her face dried up because of her distress. Trembling with fear, she spoke
as follows.

PURPORT: TEXT 8
9 Distress: No food for husband.
9 Fearful: Trembling – she knew Sudäma did not want to beg for
anything other than devotion.

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(i) Kåñëa – your friend

TEXT 9
nanu brahman bhagavataù
sakhä säkñäc chriyaù patiù
brahmaëyaç ca çaraëyaç ca
bhagavän sätvatarñabhaù

[Sudämä's wife said:] O brähmaëa, isn't it true that the husband of the
goddess of fortune is the personal friend of your exalted self? That greatest
of Yädavas, the Supreme Lord Kåñëa, is compassionate to brähmaëas and
very willing to grant them His shelter.

PURPORT: TEXT 9

9 Why fallen soul befriend? – brahmaë/ brahmaëya

9 Why, I have no devotion? – bhagavataù/ çaraëyaç, bhagavän
9 Why to me – Kåñëa fruits of karma? – Equal to all, impartial
9 If not devotees serving give some charity.
9 If Yadavas protected, why not Sudämä, & what fault?

(ii) Kåñëa will give wealth & lotus feet

TEXT 11
äste 'dhunä dväravatyäà
bhoja-våñëy-andhakeçvaraù
smarataù päda-kamalam
ätmänam api yacchati
kià nv artha-kämän bhajato
näty-abhéñöän jagad-guruù

Lord Kåñëa is now the ruler of the Bhojas, Våñëis and Andhakas and is
staying at Dvärakä. Since He gives even His own self to anyone who
simply remembers His lotus feet, what doubt is there that He, the spiritual
master of the universe, will bestow upon His sincere worshiper prosperity
and material enjoyment, which are not even very desirable?

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PURPORT: TEXT 11
9 Kåñëa – ruler of Bhojas, Våñëis & Andhakas – if opulent rulers
merely acknowledge Sudämä as a personal friend of Kåñëa's - they
give everything.
9 If Sudämä – Dvärakä + silent – give abundant wealth + shelter at
His lotus feet.

IV. Sudäma’s preparation

TEXT 12
sa evaà bhäryayä vipro
bahuçaù prärthito muhuù
ayaà hi paramo läbha
uttamaùçloka-darçanam

When his wife thus repeatedly implored him in various ways, the
brähmaëa thought to himself, "To see Lord Kåñëa is indeed the greatest
achievement in life."

™ Anything in house as gift? – please give it to me. (TEXT 13)

™ 4 handfuls of flat rice from neighboring brähmaëas, torn cloth.
(TEXT 14)
™ Sudämä for Dvärakä, "How will have Kåñëa's audience?" (TEXT
15)
™ Sudämä + local brähmaëas – passed 3 guard stations + 3 gateways,
+ Andhakas & Våñëis – opulent palaces of Hari’s 16,000 queens –
bliss of liberation. (TEXTS 16-17)
™ Silence at doorway of Rukmiëé’s palace. (PURPORT: TEXTS 16-
17)

V. Kåñëa receives Sudäma

™ Kåñëa seated on Rukmiëé’s bed – stood up went forward, embraced

– intense ecstasy, shed tears of love. (TEXTS 18-19)

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(i) Kåñëa’s reception

Water on head Divinely fragrant

sandalwood

Washed agaru
Tokens of feet Anointed
respect with kuìkuma

Bed Sudämä
dhüpa

Cow
dépa
Betel nut

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(ii) Rukmiëé’s reception

TEXT 23
ku-cailaà malinaà kñämaà
dvijaà dhamani-santatam
devé paryacarat säkñäc
cämara-vyajanena vai
By fanning him with her cämara, the divine goddess of fortune personally
served that poor brähmaëa, whose clothing was torn and dirty and who
was so thin that veins were visible all over his body.

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(iii) Palace residents

TEXT 24
antaù-pura-jano dåñövä
kåñëenämala-kértinä
vismito 'bhüd ati-prétyä
avadhütaà sabhäjitam

The people in the royal palace were astonished to see Kåñëa, the Lord of
spotless glory, so lovingly honor this shabbily dressed brähmaëa.

TEXTS 25
kim anena kåtaà puëyam
avadhütena bhikñuëä
çriyä hénena loke 'smin
garhitenädhamena ca

[The residents of the palace said:] What pious acts has this unkempt,
impoverished brähmaëa performed? People regard him as lowly and
contemptible, yet the spiritual master of the three worlds, the abode of
Goddess Çré, is serving him reverently.

VI. Kåñëa remembers the time spent in Gurukul together

(i) Inquiry about the present

™ You know well the ways of dharma.
™ Offered gift of remuneration to our guru + home – marry
compatible wife? (TEXT 28)
™ Your mind – not affected by material desires + no pleasure in
material wealth. (TEXT 29)
™ Learned, spiritually advanced – not interested in ordinary sense
gratification, as is the common man. (PURPORT: TEXT 29)

(ii) Remembrance of the past

™ Live together in Gurukul? (TEXT 31)

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(iii) Glories of service to Guru

(a) Enjoy spiritual life

™ Learn from Guru that is to be learnt (TEXT 31)

(b) Non different from Kåñëa

™ 3 Gurus (TEXT 32)
o Birth
o Religious ceremony
o Transcendental knowledge – ultimate – as good as Self

(c) Cross Ocean

TEXT 33
nanv artha-kovidä brahman
varëäçrama-vatäm iha
ye mayä guruëä väcä
taranty aïjo bhavärëavam

Certainly, O brähmaëa, of all the followers of the varëäçrama system,

those who take advantage of the words I speak in My form as the spiritual
master and thus easily cross over the ocean of material existence best
understand their own true welfare.

(d) Only way to satisfy Kåñëa

TEXT 34
näham ijyä-prajätibhyäà
tapasopaçamena vä
tuñyeyaà sarva-bhütätmä
guru-çuçrüñayä yathä

I, the Soul of all beings, am not as satisfied by ritual worship, brahminical

initiation, penances or self-discipline as I am by faithful service rendered
to one's spiritual master.

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(iv) Examples of Faithful service

™ Winter – rains – firewood – unseasonal storm – rain + fierce wind
+ thunder – sunset – forest covered by darkness – flooding – no
distinction between high land, low land. (TEXTS 35-37)

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TEXT 38
vayaà bhåçam tatra mahänilämbubhir
nihanyamänä mahur ambu-samplave
diço 'vidanto 'tha parasparaà vane
gåhéta-hastäù paribabhrimäturäù

Constantly besieged by the powerful wind and rain, we lost our way
amidst the flooding waters. We simply held each other's hands and, in
great distress, wandered aimlessly about the forest.
™ One must have VISION, MISSION & TRANSMISSION.
™ Spiritual master, after sunrise – search + found in distress (TEXT
39)
TEXT 40
aho he putrakä yüyam
asmad-arthe 'ti-duùkhitäù
ätmä vai präëinäm preñöhas
tam anädåtya mat-paräù

[Sändépani said:] O my children, you have suffered so much for my sake!

The body is most dear to every living creature, but you are so dedicated to
me that you completely disregarded your own comfort.

TEXT 41
etad eva hi sac-chiñyaiù
kartavyaà guru-niñkåtam
yad vai viçuddha-bhävena
sarvärthätmärpaëaà gurau
This indeed is the duty of all true disciples: to repay the debt to their
spiritual master by offering him, with pure hearts, their wealth and even
their very lives.
PURPORT: TEXT 41
9 I (body) & Mine (fortune) – offer – eternal servant - Spiritual
master doesn’t exploit disciple but engages fully in Kåñëa
consciousness.

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TEXT 42
tuñöo 'haà bho dvija-çreñöhäù
satyäù santu manorathäù
chandäàsy ayäta-yämäni
bhavantv iha paratra ca

You boys are first-class brähmaëas, and I am satisfied with you. May all
your desires be fulfilled, and may the Vedic mantras you have learned
never lose their meaning for you, in this world or the next.

Blessings of Spiritual master gives:

(1) Satisfaction
(2) Vedic mantras never loose meaning
(3) All desires fulfilled.

PURPORT: TEXT 42
9 If one is not fixed in Kåñëa consciousness, the transcendental
knowledge that once inspired him on the spiritual path will lose
its "taste," or meaning, for him.

(v) Kåñëa concludes

TEXT 43
itthaà-vidhäny anekäni
vasatäà guru-veçmani
guror anugraheëaiva
pumän pürëaù praçäntaye

[Lord Kåñëa continued:] We had many similar experiences while living in

our spiritual master's home. Simply by the grace of the spiritual master a
person can fulfill life's purpose and attain eternal peace.

Source of Tests: All difficulties are created by the Lord.

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VII. Sudäma speaks, defends

TEXT 44
çré-brähmaëa uväca
kim asmäbhir anirvåttaà
deva-deva jagad-guro
bhavatä satya-kämena
yeñäà väso guror abhüt

The brähmaëa said: What could I possibly have failed to achieve, O Lord
of lords, O universal teacher, since I was able to personally live with You,
whose every desire is fulfilled, at the home of our spiritual master?

PURPORT: TEXT 44
9 Price to pay: Compared to bliss of staying with you, worth
tolerating any difficulty.
9 Whay about storm – Your desire – satya-kämena
9 Sudämä understands his fortune of living with Çré Kåñëa
9 External difficulties – Expression of Lord's mercy

™ Kåñëa
o Lord
o Spiritual master of all
o To teach the importance of service to spiritual master.

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81. The Lord Blesses Sudämä Brähmaëa

VIII. Lord speaks, asks for rice

™ Kåñëa – heart of all beings – laughed & spoke to Sudämä (TEXTS

1-2)
TEXT 2
çré-çuka uväca
brahmaëyo brähmaëaà kåñëo
bhagavän prahasan priyam
premëä nirékñaëenaiva
prekñan khalu satäà gatiù

[Çukadeva Gosvämé said:] Lord Hari, Kåñëa, especially devoted to the

brähmaëas, the goal of all saintly persons, conversed in this way with the
best of the twice-born, He laughed and spoke the following words to that
dear friend of His, the brähmaëa Sudämä, all the while smiling and
looking upon him with affection.

PURPORT: TEXTS 1-2

9 Knows mind – smiled
9 Laughter – gift hidden.
9 Loving glance – veins & ragged clothes only till tomorrow.
9 As indulgent patron of the brähmaëa class, He especially enjoys
favouring brähmaëas who are additionally qualifications by
unconditional devotee to Him.

(i) Small gifts offered by devotees > great offerings of non-devotees

™ patraà puñpaà phalaà toyaà… (TEXT 4)
PURPORT: TEXT 4
9 Açnämi – eats even flower – bewildered by ecstatic love.
9 Refuse offering of some other deity? – Yes! I will refuse.
9 Prayatätmanaù – one in pure consciousness.

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(ii) Sudämä kept his head bowed in shame/ embarrassed to offer.

PURPORT: TEXT 5
9 "How can the Lord of Çré eat this hard, stale rice?" “Even if You
request it from me repeatedly, I will not give this to You.”
(iii)
TEXT 6
sarva-bhütätma-dåk säkñät
tasyägamana-käraëam
vijìäyäcintayan näyaà
çré-kämo mäbhajat purä

Being the direct witness in the hearts of all living beings, Lord Kåñëa fully
understood why Sudämä had come to see Him. Thus He thought, "In the
past My friend has never worshiped Me out of a desire for material
opulence."

PURPORT: TEXT 6
9 "How, despite My omniscience, my devotee fallen in poverty?"
Then, related these words.
9 Objection: ananyäç cintayanto mäà
9 2 kinds of renounced devotees
ƒ Inimical to sense gratification – Jaòa Bharata
ƒ Indifferent to it – neither repelled nor attracted – Prahläda
Mahäräja.
9 Sudämä Brähmaëa – inimical – averse category.
9 Why Sudämä went? – 2 reasons:
ƒ Out of compassion for his faithful wife
ƒ Hankered to see Kåñëa

(iv) Lord snatched Sudämä's garment – grains of flat rice tied up in an old
piece of cloth, "What is this?”
TEXT 9
nanv etad upanétaà me parama-préëanaà sakhe
tarpayanty aìga mäà viçvam ete påthuka-taëòuläù

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"My friend, have You brought this for Me? It gives Me extreme pleasure.
Indeed, these few grains of flat rice will satisfy not only Me but also the
entire universe."

PURPORT: TEXT 9
9 Water tree – extreme pleasure.
9 If one satisfies Kåñëa, he satisfies the whole creation.

(v) Lord ate one palmful & was about to eat second when Rukmiëé took
hold of His hand.
TEXT 10
iti muñöià sakåj jagdhvä
dvitéyäà jagdhum ädade
tävac chrér jagåhe hastaà
tat-parä parameñöhinaù

After saying this, the Supreme Lord ate one palmful and was about to eat a
second when the devoted goddess Rukmiëé took hold of His hand.

PURPORT: TEXT 10
9 Çrédhara Svämé –
ƒ "This much of Your grace is sufficient to assure vast riches –
play of my glance.
ƒ Please do not force me to surrender to this brähmaëa, as will
happen if You eat one more handful."
9 Çréla Viçvanätha Cakravarté –
ƒ To Lord: “If You eat all of this wonderful treat Your friend
brought from his house, what will I have left for my friends, co-
wives, servants and myself?
ƒ To maidservant: "hard rice will upset my Lord's tender
stomach."
9 Çréla Prabhupäda –
ƒ "When food is offered to Lord Kåñëa with love and devotion
and He is pleased and accepts it.

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ƒ Goddess of fortune, so greatly obliged to the devotee that she

has to personally go to the devotee's home.
ƒ Feeds Näräyaëa sumptuously, Lakñmé, automatically becomes a
guest in house, which means one's home becomes opulent."

IX. Rukmiëé says

TEXT 11
etävatälaà viçvätman
sarva-sampat-samåddhaye
asmin loke 'tha vämuñmin
puàsas tvat-toña-käraëam

[Queen Rukmiëé said:] This is more than enough, O Soul of the universe,
to secure him an abundance of all kinds of wealth in this world and the
next. After all, one's prosperity depends simply on Your satisfaction.

X. Sudäma spends night in Dvärakä

™ Eating & drinking to his full satisfaction +gone to spiritual world.

(TEXT 12)

TEXT 13
çvo-bhüte viçva-bhävena
sva-sukhenäbhivanditaù
jagäma svälayaà täta
pathy anavrajya nanditaù
The next day, Sudämä set off for home while being honored by Lord
Kåñëa, the self-satisfied maintainer of the universe. The brähmaëa felt
greatly delighted, my dear King, as he walked along the road.

PURPORT: TEXT 13
9 Sva-sukha: Complete in own bliss.
9 Lord has an unlimited capacity for bestowing gifts.

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™ Sudämä (TEXT 14)

o No wealth from Lord Kåñëa
o Too shy to beg
o Satisfied to have had the Supreme Lord's audience.

Test of a devotee:
Desires don’t change with situation: before/ after

XI. Sudäma’s thoughts

TEXT 15
aho brahmaëya-devasya
dåñöä brahmaëyatä mayä
yad daridratamo lakñmém
äçliñöo bibhratorasi

[Sudämä thought:] Lord Kåñëa is known to be devoted to the brähmaëas,

and now I have personally seen this devotion. Indeed, He who carries the
goddess of fortune on His chest has embraced the poorest beggar.

(i) Brahmaëya-devasya: Kåñëa devoted to brähmaëas, & now I have

personally seen this devotion.

(ii) Embraced: Carries Sri on chest, embraced poor beggar. (TEXT 15)

(iii) Bhagavan
TEXT 16
kvähaà daridraù päpéyän
kva kåñëaù çré-niketanaù
brahma-bandhur iti smähaà
bähubhyäà parirambhitaù
Who am I? A sinful, poor friend of a brähmaëa. And who is Kåñëa? The
Supreme Personality of Godhead, full in six opulences. Nonetheless, He
has embraced me with His two arms.

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(iv) Treated as family member: Brother – sit on bed of consort. Fatigued –

queen personally fanned me with a yak-tail cämara. (TEXT 17)

(v) Worship

TEXT 18
çuçrüñayä paramayä
päda-saàvähanädibhiù
püjito deva-devena
vipra-devena deva-vat

Although He is the Lord of all demigods and the object of worship for all
brähmaëas, He worshiped me as if I were a demigod myself, massaging my
feet and rendering other humble services.

™ Lord of all demigods

™ Object of worship for brähmaëas
™ He worshipped me
o Massaging feet
o Rendering other humble services

XII. Bhakti – Root cause of perfections

TEXT 19
svargäpavargayoù puàsäà
rasäyäà bhuvi sampadäm
sarväsäm api siddhénäà
mülaà tac-caraëärcanam

Devotional service to His lotus feet is the root cause of all the perfections a
person can find in heaven, in liberation, in the subterranean regions and
on earth.

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XIII. Why Lord did not grant me wealth

™ "If this poor wretch suddenly becomes rich, forget Me in his

intoxicating happiness. (TEXT 20)
™ Externally – palace; internally – bliss.

XIV. Sudämä's Palace

™ Towering, celestial palaces – rivaling brilliance of sun, fire & moon.

™ Splendorous courtyards & gardens – flocks of cooing birds + ponds
in which kumuda, ambhoja, kahlära and utpala lotuses
™ Finely attired men + doe-eyed women stood in attendance.
™ "What is all this? Whose palace? How has this all come about?"
(TEXTS 21-23)
™ Beautiful men & maidservants, as effulgent as demigods, forward to
greet master with loud song + instrumental music. (TEXT 24)
™ Wife rushed out in a jubilant flurry. (TEXT 25)
™ Wife – saw Sudämä – eyes: tears of love + eagerness. Eyes closed –
bowed down, embraced him in heart. (TEXT 26)
™ Wife – maidservants + jeweled lockets + effulgent as a demigoddess
in her celestial airplane. (TEXT 27)
™ With pleasure took his wife + entered house + gem-studded pillars
(TEXT 28)
™ OPULENCE DESCRIBED (TEXTS 29-32)
o Beds – soft + white as milk foam
o Bedsteads – ivory + gold
o Couches – golden legs
o Cämara – royal
o Thrones – golden
o Cushions – soft
o Canopies – gleaming + strings of pearls
o Walls of sparkling crystal glass, emeralds, shone jeweled lamps
o Women – precious gems.
™ As Sudämä viewed luxurious opulence, calmly reasoned

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XV. Sudämä's Contemplation

TEXT 34
nanv abruväëo diçate samakñaà
yäciñëave bhüry api bhüri-bhojaù
parjanya-vat tat svayam ékñamäëo
däçärhakäëäm åñabhaù sakhä me

After all, my friend Kåñëa, the most exalted of the Däçärhas and the
enjoyer of unlimited wealth, noticed that I secretly intended to beg from
Him. Thus even though He said nothing about it when I stood before Him,
He actually bestowed upon me the most abundant riches. In this way He
acted just like a merciful rain cloud.

TEXT 35
kiïcit karoty urv api yat sva-dattaà
suhåt-kåtaà phalgv api bhüri-käré
mayopaëétaà påthukaika-muñöià
pratyagrahét préti-yuto mahätmä

The Lord considers even His greatest benedictions to be insignificant,

while He magnifies even a small service rendered to Him by His well-
wishing devotee. Thus with pleasure the Supreme Soul accepted a single
palmful of the flat rice I brought Him.
TEXT 36
tasyaiva me sauhåda-sakhya-maitré-
däsyaà punar janmani janmani syät
mahänubhävena guëälayena
viñajjatas tat-puruña-prasaìgaù

The Lord is the supremely compassionate reservoir of all transcendental

qualities. Life after life may I serve Him with love, friendship and
sympathy, and may I cultivate such firm attachment for Him by the
precious association of His devotees.

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TEXT 37
bhaktäya citrä bhagavän hi sampado
räjyaà vibhütér na samarthayaty ajaù
adérgha-bodhäya vicakñaëaù svayaà
paçyan nipätaà dhaninäà madodbhavam

To a devotee who lacks spiritual insight, the Supreme Lord will not grant
the wonderful opulences of this world-kingly power and material assets.
Indeed, in His infinite wisdom the unborn Lord well knows how the
intoxication of pride can cause the downfall of the wealthy.

TEXT 38
itthaà vyavasito buddhyä
bhakto 'téva janärdane
viñayän jäyayä tyakñyan
bubhuje näti-lampaöaù

[Çukadeva Gosvämé continued:] Thus firmly fixing his determination by

means of his spiritual intelligence, Sudämä remained absolutely devoted to
Lord Kåñëa, the shelter of all living beings. Free from avarice, he enjoyed,
together with his wife, the sense pleasures that had been bestowed upon
him, always with the idea of eventually renouncing all sense gratification.

TEXT 39
tasya vai deva-devasya
harer yajïa-pateù prabhoù
brähmaëäù prabhavo daivaà
na tebhyo vidyate param

Lord Hari is the God of all gods, the master of all sacrifices, and the
supreme ruler. But He accepts the saintly brähmaëas as His masters, and
so there exists no deity higher than them.

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TEXT 40
evaà sa vipro bhagavat-suhåt tadä
dåñövä sva-bhåtyair ajitaà paräjitam
tad-dhyäna-vegodgrathitätma-bandhanas
tad-dhäma lebhe 'cirataù satäà gatim

Thus seeing how the unconquerable Supreme Lord is nonetheless

conquered by His own servants, the Lord's dear brähmaëa friend felt the
remaining knots of material attachment within his heart being cut by the
force of his constant meditation on the Lord. In a short time he attained
Lord Kåñëa's supreme abode, the destination of great saints.

TEXT 41
etad brahmaëya-devasya
çrutvä brahmaëyatäà naraù
labdha-bhävo bhagavati
karma-bandhäd vimucyate

The Lord always shows brähmaëas special favor. Anyone who hears this
account of the Supreme Lord's kindness to brähmaëas will come to
develop love for the Lord and thus become freed from the bondage of
material work.

***

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10 LESSONS FROM SUDÄMÄ PASTIME

(SB 10.80)

1 Importance of Ashrama Shelter

™ Kåñëa's inquiry from Sudämä.

2 Grihasta means detached life centered around Kåñëa

TEXT 10.80.29
präyo gåheñu te cittam
akäma-vihitaà tathä
naiväti-préyase vidvan
dhaneñu viditaà hi me

Even though you are mostly involved in household affairs, your mind is
not affected by material desires. Nor, O learned one, do you take much
pleasure in the pursuit of material wealth. This I am well aware of.

3 Training is foundation for any ashrama.

™ FROM WHOM? – One should be trained under the shelter of a

bonafide spiritual master.
o 3 types of Gurus: Birth, religious ceremony, transcendental
knowledge.

4. WHY SHOULD ONE BE TRAINED?

One should be trained for

4 (a) Liberation, and
(b) Kåñëa's pleasure

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TEXT 10.80.33
nanv artha-kovidä brahman
varëäçrama-vatäm iha
ye mayä guruëä väcä
taranty aïjo bhavärëavam

Certainly, O brähmaëa, of all the followers of the varëäçrama system,

those who take advantage of the words I speak in My form as the spiritual
master and thus easily cross over the ocean of material existence best
understand their own true welfare.

5. HOW SHOULD ONE SERVE GURU?

5 One should serve Guru (a) Faithfully & (b) Lovingly.

TEXT 34
näham ijyä-prajätibhyäà
tapasopaçamena vä
tuñyeyaà sarva-bhütätmä
guru-çuçrüñayä yathä

I, the Soul of all beings, am not as satisfied by ritual worship,

brahminical initiation, penances or self-discipline as I am by faithful
service rendered to one's spiritual master.

Kåñëa sets an example: Service should neither be

6 sentimental not impersonal.

TEXT 10.80.38
vayaà bhåçam tatra mahänilämbubhir
nihanyamänä mahur ambu-samplave
diço 'vidanto 'tha parasparaà vane
gåhéta-hastäù paribabhrimäturäù

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Constantly besieged by the powerful wind and rain, we lost our way
amidst the flooding waters. We simply held each other's hands and, in
great distress, wandered aimlessly about the forest.

(i) Symptoms of Kanishta & Madhyama Sanga:

Kanishta Madhyama
Conflict Worship
Competition Destruction
Pretension Creation
Loneliness Purification
Changelessness Enlivenment
Fault Finding Fixation
Institutionalization of competition Satisfaction
Attraction
Compassion
Expansion

7. WHAT IS THE GOAL OF GURU SEVA?

7 Goal of Guru seva is Guru’s Pleasure

(i) Dedication
TEXT 10.80.40
aho he putrakä yüyam
asmad-arthe 'ti-duùkhitäù
ätmä vai präëinäm preñöhas
tam anädåtya mat-paräù

[Sändépani said:] O my children, you have suffered so much for my sake!

The body is most dear to every living creature, but you are so dedicated to
me that you completely disregarded your own comfort.

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(ii) Selfless Surrender

TEXT 10.80.41
etad eva hi sac-chiñyaiù
kartavyaà guru-niñkåtam
yad vai viçuddha-bhävena
sarvärthätmärpaëaà gurau

This indeed is the duty of all true disciples: to repay the debt to their
spiritual master by offering him, with pure hearts, their wealth and even
their very lives.

8. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VAISNAVA SEVA?

Benefits of Vaisnava seva

(i) Satisfaction
8 (ii) Stability
(iii) Success
(iv) Santi – Supreme Peace.

(i) Satisfaction of desires & (ii) Stability of Spiritual Knowledge

TEXT 10.80.42
tuñöo 'haà bho dvija-çreñöhäù
satyäù santu manorathäù
chandäàsy ayäta-yämäni
bhavantv iha paratra ca

You boys are first-class brähmaëas, and I am satisfied with you. May all
your desires be fulfilled, and may the Vedic mantras you have learned
never lose their meaning for you, in this world or the next.

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(iii) Success & (iv) Santi – Supreme Peace

TEXT 10.80.43
itthaà-vidhäny anekäni
vasatäà guru-veçmani
guror anugraheëaiva
pumän pürëaù praçäntaye

[Lord Kåñëa continued:] We had many similar experiences while living in

our spiritual master's home. Simply by the grace of the spiritual master a
person can fulfill life's purpose and attain eternal peace.

9 & 10. CONCLUSION

Association of Devotees is the highest benediction. Service

9 in that association is the ultimate fulfillment of desires.

10 A HUMBLE SERVANT can become a GOOD LEADER

TEXT 10.80.44
çré-brähmaëa uväca
kim asmäbhir anirvåttaà
deva-deva jagad-guro
bhavatä satya-kämena
yeñäà väso guror abhüt

The brähmaëa said: What could I possibly have failed to achieve, O

Lord of lords, O universal teacher, since I was able to personally live
with You, whose every desire is fulfilled, at the home of our spiritual
master?

***
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QUALITIES OF KÅÑËA
(SB 10.81)

XVI. Kåñëa is All Knowing

™ Knows
™ Refer Section VIII, Page 17.

TEXT 10.81.2
çré-çuka uväca
brahmaëyo brähmaëaà kåñëo
bhagavän prahasan priyam
premëä nirékñaëenaiva
prekñan khalu satäà gatiù

[Çukadeva Gosvämé said:] Lord Hari, Kåñëa, especially devoted to the

brähmaëas, the goal of all saintly persons, conversed in this way with the
best of the twice-born, He laughed and spoke the following words to that
dear friend of His, the brähmaëa Sudämä, all the while smiling and
looking upon him with affection.

XVII. Kåñëa Reciprocates with His Cherished Servants

™ Favors, Understands.

XVIII. Kåñëa Accepts the Love of Devotees

™ Unconditionally Accepts, Overlooks.

™ patraà puñpaà phalaà toyaà … (SB 10.81.4)
™ Refer Section VIII, Page 17-18.
™ Sudämä’s head bowed down in shame.

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XIX. Kåñëa Showers Unlimited Mercy on His Devotees

™ Plans
™ präpto mäm asya däsyämi sampado 'martya-durlabhäù. – I will give
him riches that even the immortal demigods cannot obtain. (TEXT:
SB 10.81.7)
™ ananyäç cintayanto mäà (BG 9.22) – How poverty stricken if takes
CARE? (PURPORT: SB 10.81.6-7)
™ 2 types of renounced devotees (PURPORT: SB 10.81.6)
ƒ Inimical – Jaòa Bharata
ƒ Indifferent – Prahläda Mahäräja.
™ Refer Section VIII, (iii), Page 18.

XX. Kåñëa Snatches Devotees’ Loving Offering

™ Acts, Pleases.
™ Refer Section VIII, (iv), Page 19.

XXI. Two Results of Satisfying Kåñëa

™ Satisfies self

(i) Satisfies the Universe

™ Universal Peace
™ Refer Section VIII, (iv), Page 19.

TEXT 10.81. 9
nanv etad upanétaà me
parama-préëanaà sakhe
tarpayanty aìga mäà viçvam
ete påthuka-taëòuläù

"My friend, have You brought this for Me? It gives Me extreme pleasure.
Indeed, these few grains of flat rice will satisfy not only Me but also the
entire universe."

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(ii) Satisfies Goddess of Fortune

™ Prosperity.
™ Refer Section VIII, (v), Page 19-20 and Section IX, Page 20.

TEXT 10.81.10
iti muñöià sakåj jagdhvä
dvitéyäà jagdhum ädade
tävac chrér jagåhe hastaà
tat-parä parameñöhinaù

After saying this, the Supreme Lord ate one palmful and was about to eat a
second when the devoted goddess Rukmiëé took hold of His hand.

TEXT 10.81.11
etävatälaà viçvätman
sarva-sampat-samåddhaye
asmin loke 'tha vämuñmin
puàsas tvat-toña-käraëam

[Queen Rukmiëé said:] This is more than enough, O Soul of the universe,
to secure him an abundance of all kinds of wealth in this world and the
next. After all, one's prosperity depends simply on Your satisfaction.

XXII. How does Kåñëa Satisfy a Devotee?

™ Perfect Leader
™ Externally – Necessities
™ Internally – Bliss
™ Refer Section X.
TEXT 10.81.13: Expertise
çvo-bhüte viçva-bhävena
sva-sukhenäbhivanditaù
jagäma svälayaà täta
pathy anavrajya nanditaù

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The next day, Sudämä set off for home while being honored by Lord
Kåñëa, the self-satisfied maintainer of the universe. The brähmaëa felt
greatly delighted, my dear King, as he walked along the road.

XXIII. Trustworthy

(i) Integrity
™ He practices what He preaches. Walks His talk.

TEXT 10.81.15
aho brahmaëya-devasya
dåñöä brahmaëyatä mayä
yad daridratamo lakñmém
äçliñöo bibhratorasi

[Sudämä thought:] Lord Kåñëa is known to be devoted to the brähmaëas,

and now I have personally seen this devotion. Indeed, He who carries the
goddess of fortune on His chest has embraced the poorest beggar.

TEXT 10.81.16
kvähaà daridraù päpéyän
kva kåñëaù çré-niketanaù
brahma-bandhur iti smähaà
bähubhyäà parirambhitaù
Who am I? A sinful, poor friend of a brähmaëa. And who is Kåñëa? The
Supreme Personality of Godhead, full in six opulences. Nonetheless, He
has embraced me with His two arms.

(ii) Intimacy
TEXT 10.81.17
niväsitaù priyä-juñöe
paryaìke bhrätaro yathä
mahiñyä véjitaù çränto
bäla-vyajana-hastayä

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He treated me just like one of His brothers, making me sit on the bed of
His beloved consort. And because I was fatigued, His queen personally
fanned me with a yak-tail cämara.

™ Affection, Humility & Respect.

TEXT 10.81.18
çuçrüñayä paramayä
päda-saàvähanädibhiù
püjito deva-devena
vipra-devena deva-vat

Although He is the Lord of all demigods and the object of worship for all
brähmaëas, He worshiped me as if I were a demigod myself, massaging my
feet and rendering other humble services.

(iii) Compassion
™ iti käruëiko nünaà dhanaà me 'bhüri nädadät – The compassionate
Lord did not grant me even a little wealth. (TEXT 10.81.20)

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XXIV. SUMMARY

1. How does Kåñëa take care of Devotee?

Knows Favors Overlooks Plans Acts

2. How does the world benefit by satisfaction of Kåñëa?

PEACE PROSPERITY

3. How does a devotee attracted to Kåñëa?

PERFECT LEADER

TRUSTWORTHY CHARACTER

Expertise Integrity Intimacy Compassion

Affection Humility Respect

***

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SUDÄMÄ’S PRAYERS
(SB 10.81)

1. DISTRIBUTES
TEXT 10.81.34
nanv abruväëo diçate samakñaà
yäciñëave bhüry api bhüri-bhojaù
parjanya-vat tat svayam ékñamäëo
däçärhakäëäm åñabhaù sakhä me

After all, my friend Kåñëa, the most exalted of the Däçärhas and the
enjoyer of unlimited wealth, noticed that I secretly intended to beg from
Him. Thus even though He said nothing about it when I stood before Him,
He actually bestowed upon me the most abundant riches. In this way He
acted just like a merciful rain cloud.

2. MAGNIFIES
TEXT 10.81.35
kiïcit karoty urv api yat sva-dattaà
suhåt-kåtaà phalgv api bhüri-käré
mayopaëétaà påthukaika-muñöià
pratyagrahét préti-yuto mahätmä

The Lord considers even His greatest benedictions to be insignificant,

while He magnifies even a small service rendered to Him by His well-
wishing devotee. Thus with pleasure the Supreme Soul accepted a single
palmful of the flat rice I brought Him.

(i) 6 kinds of Vision

1. Bad only 4. Good & Bad – Good
2. Good & Bad: only bad 5. Only Good
3. Little Bad – magnify 6. Little Good – Magnify

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3. ATTRACTS
TEXT 10.81.36
tasyaiva me sauhåda-sakhya-maitré-
däsyaà punar janmani janmani syät
mahänubhävena guëälayena
viñajjatas tat-puruña-prasaìgaù

The Lord is the supremely compassionate reservoir of all transcendental

qualities. Life after life may I serve Him with love, friendship and
sympathy, and may I cultivate such firm attachment for Him by the
precious association of His devotees.

4. DISCRIMINATES

TEXT 10.81.37
bhaktäya citrä bhagavän hi sampado
räjyaà vibhütér na samarthayaty ajaù
adérgha-bodhäya vicakñaëaù svayaà
paçyan nipätaà dhaninäà madodbhavam

To a devotee who lacks spiritual insight, the Supreme Lord will not grant
the wonderful opulences of this world-kingly power and material assets.
Indeed, in His infinite wisdom the unborn Lord well knows how the
intoxication of pride can cause the downfall of the wealthy.

(i) Sudämä’s Attitude

TEXT 10.81.38
ƒ Determined
itthaà vyavasito buddhyä
bhakto 'téva janärdane
ƒ Devoted
viñayän jäyayä tyakñyan ƒ Detached
bubhuje näti-lampaöaù

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[Çukadeva Gosvämé continued:] Thus firmly fixing his determination by

means of his spiritual intelligence, Sudämä remained absolutely devoted to
Lord Kåñëa, the shelter of all living beings. Free from avarice, he enjoyed,
together with his wife, the sense pleasures that had been bestowed upon
him, always with the idea of eventually renouncing all sense gratification.

5. CONCLUSION

One Can Capture Hearts Only By Becoming A Servant

(i) Meditation
TEXT 10.81.39
tasya vai deva-devasya
harer yajïa-pateù prabhoù
brähmaëäù prabhavo daivaà
na tebhyo vidyate param

Lord Hari is the God of all gods, the master of all sacrifices, and the
supreme ruler. But He accepts the saintly brähmaëas as His masters, and
so there exists no deity higher than them.

(ii) Transformation
TEXT 10.81.40
evaà sa vipro bhagavat-suhåt tadä
dåñövä sva-bhåtyair ajitaà paräjitam
tad-dhyäna-vegodgrathitätma-bandhanas
tad-dhäma lebhe 'cirataù satäà gatim

Thus seeing how the unconquerable Supreme Lord is nonetheless

conquered by His own servants, the Lord's dear brähmaëa friend felt the
remaining knots of material attachment within his heart being cut by the
force of his constant meditation on the Lord. In a short time he attained
Lord Kåñëa's supreme abode, the destination of great saints.

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(ii) Information
TEXT 10.81.41
etad brahmaëya-devasya
çrutvä brahmaëyatäà naraù
labdha-bhävo bhagavati
karma-bandhäd vimucyate

The Lord always shows brähmaëas special favor. Anyone who hears this
account of the Supreme Lord's kindness to brähmaëas will come to
develop love for the Lord and thus become freed from the bondage of
material work.

***

Study Notes of HG Gauränga Däsa www.iskcondesiretree.com