In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna and Sudhaama sitting together and recalling all their childhood memories of their Gokula days, their “Gurukula” days, etc. and in due course, Bhagawan Krishna stuns Sudhaama by making an assertive statement that it is only because of the blessings and the grace of Guru Sandipani, are “both of them” living happily without any problems! This was a deliberate statement that Bhagawan Krishna made, because as a “Paramatma” He knew what Sudhaama was undergoing. He realized that during the course of the conversation, Sudhaama is not going to reveal any of his personal problems to Him. However, Bhagawan wanted to make Sudhaama talk about his personal issues. He tried to put words in Sudhaama’s mouth, but still, Sudhaama was steadfast in his character and learnings from Guru Sandipani, that “happy and prosperous life” does not mean materialistically comfortable life, but “spiritually happy” life. Ultimately the “Atman” should be happy at the end of the day. This is what is more important than the “Deham” (Physical body) being happy. Sudhaama knows this very well, and is tight-lipped on his problems, even as Bhagawan Krishna tries to tempt him to open up.
Afterall, Sudhaama came with a savage resolution that he is only going to visit Krishna to get His divine darshan. He is happy with whatever he has got. In fact, he has got enough and more of what he was supposed to get. He did not have any regret. Thus, as time passes by, Sudhaama realizes that he has to return back, and he didn’t want to waste Bhagawan Krishna’s time more and more by talking about the useless past! So he says to Bhagawan Krishna thus, “Oh my dear friend! I think it’s getting late and I do not want to waste your time any further! You’re a king and you would have many tasks to execute. I’m not going to be a disturbance or a hindrance for you in anyway. I’ve obtained your divine darshan today, and with this sense of satisfaction, I’m starting back to my place!”
Upon hearing thus from Sudhaama, Bhagawan Krishna was a bit disturbed. He did not want Sudhaama to leave, however, He didn’t speak a second word at that time. Sudhaama too got up from the chair, and started walking towards the exit door and Bhagawan Krishna follows him all the way. As Sudhaama reaches the exit way, Bhagawan Krishna slowly asks him thus, “Oh Sudhaama! I forgot to ask you something! I’m sure that your wife would have given something to me as a token of gesture! What did you bring for me?” This question struck Sudhaama very hard! Amidst the excitement of seeing Bhagawan Krishna after so many years and the interesting conversation with Him, Sudhaama totally forgot that he has brought the “Aval” with him, tied into a torn cloth. Hence, his eyes automatically go down to his hip, where he had tied that cloth to. He now starts feeling shy and a touch nervous too because, by looking at the stature and luxury with which Bhagawan Krishna was living in, Sudhaama was skeptical whether He would accept this “Aval” from this poor man!
Unfazed by Sudhaama’s shyness and hesitant reaction, Bhagawan Krishna repeats His question and with that, Sudhaama takes the cloth, unfolds it and hands over the handful of “Aval” into Bhagawan Krishna’s divine hands. He says to Bhagawan Krishna thus, “Oh Krishna! This is what I managed to bring for you. I remembered that in your childhood days you liked this Aval so much and hence, I brought it to offer you!” With tears dripping from his eyes, Sudhaama gives the small pack of Aval to Krishna! Upon receiving this, Bhagawan Krishna was overwhelmed with joy! He immediately hugged Sudhaama tightly with Him and exclaimed thus, “Oh Sudhaama! Today you’ve proved yourself to be at the epitome level of friendship! You know exactly what your friend likes, and you are bringing that to him with all your effort. I wholeheartedly accept your offering!”
As Bhagawan Krishna accepts it gleefully, Sudhaama again could not believe himself! Initially he felt shy because he thought that Bhagawan Krishna would make fun of him for bringing him this small quantity of Aval! But on the contrary, Bhagawan Krishna’s joy upon seeing the Aval surprised him to bits! Obtaining it from Sudhaama thus, Bhagawan Krishna puts few pieces of Aval into His mouth and exclaims further thus, “Oh wow! What tasty Aval is this! How long had I been waiting to taste Aval, and that too, this tasty an Aval from my best friend, Sudhaama!”
It is to be remembered that Bhagawan Krishna is everyday consuming food of the highest quality, since He’s the king of Dwaaraka! However, these are some dried pieces of Aval! Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna happily consumed one mouthful! The message that Bhagawan Krishna is conveying to Sudhaama indirectly is that, “Oh Sudhaama! I’m not carried away by the Aval! What I like best in you is that, even though you were amidst the clutches of extreme poverty and starvation, you had a firm resolve that you wouldn’t beg for your personal needs from Bhagawan! This Bhakti of yours is what is making this Aval more and more tasty!”
Thus, this is an important message for all of us as well – It is not important as to what we’re offering to Bhagawan. The paramount thing here is that, whether are we offering the things with our heart and devotion towards Him or not. This is what Bhagawan checks in all of us and we should remember this. So for today, let us take this learning very seriously and let us put this into practice. We shall wait till the next episode to witness what happened to Sudhaama thereafter. Is he still going to continue suffering the way he was previously? Or, is the situation going to change? Let’s wait eagerly till tomorrow to find out! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 