Chapter 81 - The Story of the Parched Rice (The story of Śrīdāman continued)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Śuka said:

1. While Hari was conversing with the prominent Brāhmaṇa on such matters he, knowing as he did the minds of all beings, spoke to him smilingly.

2. Lord Kṛṣṇa was friendly to Brāhmaṇas and he was certainly the asylum of the pious. Looking at his dear Brāhmaṇa friend with an affectionate glance, he laughed loudly and asked in a joking mood:

The Lord said:

3. “What present have you brought for me from your house, O Brāhmaṇa? Even the slightest offering—a particle given with affection by my devotees is considered by me as very great, but even if a lot of presents are given to me by one who is not my votary, they are not conducive to my joy or satisfaction.

4. A person who devoutly offers me a leaf, a flower, a fruit or even water, I enjoy that which has been brought to me with devotion by a person of controlled and pure mind.”

5. Even though the Brāhmaṇa was thus requested, he felt so much abashed that he did not hand over the present of pṛthukas (parched, flattened rice) to the Lord of the goddess Śrī and simply hung his head, O king.

6-7. But the Lord can directly see what goes in the minds of all beings and he knew definitely the cause of Śrīdāman’s visit. He thought to himself, “This Brāhmaṇa never approached me or worshipped me for money. This friend of mine has come here for pleasing his virtuous wife (in compliance of her entreaty). I shall bestow upon him wealth which is rare even for immortal gods.

8. Thinking thus within himself, he, of his own accord, snatched from under the clothes of the Brāhmaṇa, the parched flattened rice tied up in a rag (and brought by way of present to Śrī Kṛṣṇa) asking him, “What is it?

9. My dear friend! This present (parched rice-eatable) is exceedingly to my liking. These flattened parched rice will thoroughly satisfy me who am the Soul of the universe.”

10. Saying thus, he ate handful of those rice and took another handful for eating when his consort Śrī (i.e. Rukmiṇī who was so devoted to him caught hold of the hand of the Supreme^[1] Lord, (claiming that other handful of rice to herself).

11. “O Soul of the Universe! This (handful of eaten rice) is more than sufficient in granting him all kinds of wealth and prosperity both here and hereafter. This much is quite enough for your satisfaction.”

12. The Brāhmaṇa passed that night happily in the palace of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. He partook of the feast and drink and felt himself to be in the celestial world itself.

13. The next morning, he set out for his home. He was however, followed some distance by Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Creator of the Universe, the very embodiment of essential spiritual bliss who delighted him with his friendly talk.

14. But the Brāhmaṇa who was happy with seeing his great friend, returned home abashed on account of the meanness of his heart as he did not get any money from Kṛṣṇa nor did he of his own accord request him for it.

15. (On the way, he said to himself): “How wonderful! The Lord is known for his friendliness to Brāhmaṇas which has been personally experienced by me, as the bearer of the goddess Lakṣmī on his bosom held me in close embrace—me who am the wṛetchedmost.

16. What a world of difference there is between me, a poverty-stricken sinner and Lord Kṛṣṇa, the abode of Lakṣmī. But I have been embraced by him with both of his arms because of my birth as a Brāhmaṇa (so kind and friendly he is to Brāhmaṇas).

17. Just like a brother, I was seated on the same sofa that was occupied by his beloved queen. Fatigued as I was, I was fanned by the Queen herself with a chowry in her hand.

18. I was adored like a god by Kṛṣṇa, the God of gods who treats Brāhmaṇas as his deities. Hs rendered me the highest service by personally shampooing my feet, applying sandalpastes, etc.

19. Worship of his feet is the primary cause for men to be blessed with happiness in heaven or the bliss in the Mokṣa and all the affluence available either in this world or the nether-world and of mastery over all miraculous powers (Siddhis).

20. The Lord thought that if a penniless fellow (like me) should gain wealth, it would turn his head and would not remember me. It is with this consideration that the merciful Lord has not bestowed any wealth on me.”

21. While he was musing thus, he arrived at the site of his home-stead. And Lo! It was surrounded on all sides by a palace several storeys high and resplendent like the sun, fire and the moon.

22. It was surrounded with wonderfully beautiful pleasure gardens and groves swarming with the melodiously warbling birds and with pools and tanks in which, various types of lilies, lotuses, night-lotuses were in full blossom.

23. It was manned by well-adorned male attendants and beautiful female attendants with gazelle-like eyes. The Brāhmaṇa could not recognise what it was, whose place it was and how was it that it was transformed so wonderfully.

24. While the Brāhmaṇa was pondering over that metamorphosis (of his humble home-stead) god-like glamorous men and women advanced to welcome the highly fortunate Brāhmaṇa with excellent vocal and instrumental music.^[2]

25. Hearing that her husband had returned, the Brāhmaṇa’s wife was transported with ecstatic delight. And in her joyous impatience, she hurriedly came out of the house (to receive him) like unto the goddess Lakṣmī incarnate coming out of her (heavenly) abode.

26. At the sight of her husband, the chaste lady had her eyes full of tears of love and eagerness. (Out of shyness) she closed her eyes and mentally paid respects to him and embraced him in her mind.

27. He was astonished to see his wife gloriously glamorous like a celestial damsel and shining (in her deportment) in the midst of maid-servants adorned with necklaces of gold coins.

28. Being beside himself with joy, he entered in the company of his wife, his own mansion which was furnished with hundred(s) of columns of precious stones and which resembled the palace of the great Indra.

29. His palace was furnished with beds white (and soft) like the foam of milk. The bedsteads were of ivory chased in gold and the fans and chowries had gold handles.

30. The seats were of gold provided with soft cushions. And wreathes of pearls were hanging from brilliant canopies.

31. The palace walls were of pure crystals studded with big emeralds and in them he saw excellent dolls of precious stones holding refulgent jewel lamps in their hands (to illumine the room).

32. Beholding such abundance of wealth, affluence and luxury, the Brāhmaṇa, with a dispassionate mind began to reflect upon that ‘cause-less’ un-sought-for windfall of wealth in his care.

33. “I am indeed unfortunate (from my childhood) and am confirmed in eternal poverty. But the cause of this unexpected prosperity can be traced to nothing else but the gracious visit (I had the privilege to obtain) of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the leader of Yadus, the master of infinite wealth.

34. My friend, the foremost of the Dāśārhas is infinitely liberal and is perfect in all blessings. Though he bestows abundantly upon his suppliants like the rain-god, he regards his gift as insignificant and nominal. Knowing the minds of his devotees he gives immense riches to them but does not promise them directly. (He is a silent but highly munificent donor).

35. Although what he gives is immensely abundant, he looks upon it as very little. And whatever insignificant is offered by his friends, he regards it as very great. That high-souled affectionate friend accepted with pleasure only a handful of the parched, flattened rice taken by me for him.

36. May I, in every future birth, be blessed with his good-will, friendship, love and service. May I have the fortune of associating myself with his devotees and may I cherish (ever-increasing) devotion to that abode of excellences and glorious powers.

37. For the Eternal Omniscient glorious Lord himself notices the downfall of the rich caused by the pride of their wealth, and does not wish to confer wonderful affluence, king- ship and other spiritual powers or authorities on his devotee (even though he may solicit it) but grants them to the shortsighted ones.

38. Having come to this conclusion by intelligent thinking, the Brāhmaṇa who was devoutly and excessively attached to Kṛṣṇa, did not become much attached to those pleasures, but with the intention of renouncing them, he enjoyed those pleasures with his wife, but with little attachment to them.

39. To the Almighty Lord Hari, the God of gods, the Lord and Protector of Sacrifices, Brāhmaṇas are his deities. To him, nothing is higher then Brāhmaṇas.

40. In this way, the Brāhmaṇa friend of the Lord realized that the Unvanquished Lord Kṛṣṇa is easily agreeable to the will of his devotees. His personal bonds (of ignorance or attachment) were cut asunder by the force of his intensive meditation. And in a short while, he attained to the Lord’s region (Vaikuṇṭha), the highest goal of the righteous people.

41. A person who listens to this account of the grace showered on a Brāhmaṇa by the God who is friendly to Brāhmaṇas attains devotion unto the Lord and becomes free from the bonds of Karmas.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Bhāvāratha Dīpikā explains the significance of this prohibition to eat another handful as follows: one handful is enough to bestow on the poor Brāhmaṇa all the wealth and affluence. But by eating another handful, she will be at the service of the Brāhmaṇa (instead of Lord Kṛṣṇa)—a calamity she wanted to avoid.

[2]:

VT in his com. on Verse 22-23 clarifies that when Śrīdāman stayed that night at Dvārakā and his wife in her humble cottage, this miraculous transformation of her cottage took place. When she got up and was astonished to see the change, the attendants explained how this metamorphosis was due to Lord Kṛṣṇa’s, Grace. So in order that her husband should not feel confused, she instructed the attendants to receive him, etc.