The Poorest of Friends
Sudama and Krishna had been school friends at the ashram of their guru Sandipani. They had grown up together, eaten together, laughed together. Then their paths diverged. Krishna became the king of Dvaraka. Sudama became a poor Brahmin, so poor that he and his wife barely had enough to eat.
Sudama's wife finally convinced him to visit Krishna. "He is your friend. He will help us."
Sudama agreed, but felt ashamed to come empty-handed. His wife scraped together a small portion of flattened rice — *pohe* — and wrapped it in a torn cloth. It was all they had.
The Palace Gates
Sudama arrived at Dvaraka. The city of gold dazzled him. At every step, he almost turned back — what business did a man dressed in rags have here?
But at the palace gates, he gave his name: "I am Sudama. I was Krishna's school friend."
Before the message could be relayed, Krishna came running. He ran through his palace, through the halls of gold, to embrace the man in rags standing at his gate.
He wept. He held Sudama's hands and wept with joy.
The Rice
Seated together, Krishna noticed the small bundle Sudama clutched. He reached over and gently took it. Inside were a few handfuls of flattened rice — torn cloth, plain rice, the offering of a poor man.
Krishna ate it with delight, saying it was the finest thing he had tasted.
Sudama could not bring himself to ask for anything. When it was time to leave, he simply said goodbye. Krishna embraced him again.
The Return
Sudama walked back to his village. He walked through the forest that surrounded his old home. And found — where his poor hut had stood — a palace. His wife and children were dressed in silk. The fields were rich.
Krishna had given everything without being asked. And the greatest gift was not the palace — it was that he had run to meet his friend at the gate.