Story of Krishna and Sudama Friendship: Meaning & Morals

Who does not know the friendship of lord Krishna and Sudama, They were both connected to each other emotionally and mentally.

A beautiful story of both from their childhood was, Sudama was poor, and lord krishna was the king.

When he accepted his rich friend, he got a treatment he never thought of. What did lord krishna do?

What made his true friend Sudama visit his palace after a long time? Read the blog to know the meaning and morals of their friendship story.

Lord Krishna’s stories are legendary, from his childhood tricks to battlefield wisdom. His idols show multiple facets – wise advisor, dedicated friend, and playful cowherd.

But possibly, one of his sweetest stories could be explained to that of lord krishna and Sudama, an epic story of their friendship and humbleness.

Our Hindu culture regards friendship as a high point, and Lord Krishna initiated his childhood by helping, saving, and being around his mates & friends.

His passion for his friends was a truly supernatural bond, and one such legend is that of Krishna and Sudama.

Explained as an example of friendship, the story of these two friends stood the test of time and fate.

Who was Sudama?

Krishna and Sudama were friends since their childhood. Both of them studied in the same school and learned from the same teacher, hence they became best friends.

They made a promise to each other to be in contact when they completed their schooling. They had to part their ways owing to time.

Years later, when lord krishna left Vrindavan, he became the king of Dwarka and married Rukmini.

On the other hand, Sudama became a pandit and married a girl chosen by his parents. He was in great pain while he was poor and could not support his family.

He was able to work to feed his family despite his ailing body. The days were not in his favor as well.

Sudama’s wife, one day, knowing the seriousness of their situation, asked him to take lord krishna’s help.

Sudama, though, was hesitant to ask his friend for help. He was not that kind of person, even though he did not want to go, he chose to go.

True Friendship Story of Lord Krishna And Sudama

The most well-known story by all of us is their childhood friendship, which teaches us the true meaning of friendship.

As Sudama was poor and did not want to take the help of his friend lord krishna. When he was forced by his wife to visit his friend, who was a king, he chose to seek his help.

The Journey of Sudama to Dwarka

Sudama started his journey to the palace of lord krishna. He carried a small bag with a very small amount of rice as a humble present.

When he reached the gate of the palace, the guards stopped him from entering the palace, seeing his poor condition. They’re not unaware that he is an old friend of Krishna.

When they informed the king, upon hearing the news, he rushed to Sudama and hugged him. He saw Sudama’s bleeding feet because he traveled barefoot due to his poverty.

After stepping inside the palace, Krishna insisted that Sudama sit on his throne and washed his feet by himself.

Happily, Krishna asked Sudama what he had brought for him as a gift. Then Sudama showed the small rice bag, describing his situation, and he could only offer him.

Aware of Sudama’s conditions, Krishna ate the rice. After having two handfuls, Rukmini (wife of lod krishna), intervened and advised to leave the rice for others.

Divine Promise of Krishna and Sudama

Shree Krishna once asked Sudama in their young age ‘Will you be my friend?’ How convenient that the one who lords himself asks for friendship.

Sudama hesitated to make lord Krishna a friend due to his poverty. He said ‘But my condition is not well, I am a poor brahmin, and you’re a royal; our background does not match, how can we become friends?

Friends are those who always help each other in need, but there’s nothing I can give you.

Shree Krishna said ‘Just promise me that apart from anything, we will always be friends. I’m just offering you my friendship in return for nothing.

I will never ask you for anything that you can not give me.’ Hearing this, Sudama accepted Krishna’s offer of friendship.

Sudama, when asked, the guards let him inside to satisfy lord krishna as he reached to meet him.

He also said they’re childhood friends. But they refused to admit him due to his poor condition.

Also, they treated him like a madman, but when lord krishna knew about Sudama’s coming, he rushed to welcome his friend barefoot.

They hugged each other, and everyone was shocked after seeing this, as without thinking about social status, Krishna hugged a poor man.

That laid the new foundation on the planet of the word ‘friendship.’ Krishna welcomed his friend, showering love and flowers. He washed his feet to give a godly treatment to Sudama.

Krishna ordered his mates to change the old clothes of Sudama with new royal clothes to make him feel more relaxed.

Sudama was crying after seeing such unexpected royal treatment from his kind friend.

He served food to Sudama and discussed their old days. But Krishna noticed that he was hiding something.

How did Sudama become the lord of two worlds?

When Sudama was hiding something from Krishna, out of curiosity, he asked gently, ‘And I think that bhabhi ji has sent something for me.

I feel it’s some delicious food for me. He requested Sudama to give the gift. Sudama thought the small gift was nothing for the king of Dwarka.

Now, Krishna accepted the rice and fabric gift with kindness and confirmed it was the ideal present in His whole life.

He enjoyed it and later, Kālidāsa stated, Krishna even gave some of the rice to His wife Rukmini (the incarnation of Lakshmi) and ate the rest.

After spending some time together, Sudama thought it was time to go back. Before Krishna left, while remembering their past times, He even forgot to ask why Sudama had come for a visit.

He wondered aloud,” What was the reason for visiting Dwarka (Krishna’s Palace)?” After all his worries had gone, Sudama spoke softly.

He said what was needed to make him happy. He does not exactly know what his boss requires. Sudama left the Palace feeling very devoted to Krishna.

Aftermath of Sudama and Krishna’s Reunion

After coming home, visiting Krishna’s palace, thinking about his future, and how his wife could react that he could not ask for favors from Krishna.

To his surprise, he discovered that his kind hut had been converted into a beautiful palace.

Without any request, lord krishna had fulfilled his wish and bestowed great wealth while he was eating the rice.

Each handful of rice shows the wealth of various realms, indicating Krishna’s wish to make Sudama two worlds. He also wanted to give him blessings in the third world.

Meaning of the Story

The meaning of the story describes a symbol of divine and selfless friendship. It claims that true friendship does not depend on wealth, background, status, or appearance, but rather on the intention of the heart.

Sudama did not visit Krishna for his wealth, he went with a pure heart. Krishna did not help him for the sake of pity, but out of love and respect. Their friendship was unshaken by society, distance, or time.

Moral of the Story

One of the popular Krishna Sudama friendship quotes in English is that friendship does not differentiate between the rich and the needy.

It sees love and compassion. A real friend will come to help you, whatever the situation is.

All of the motivational Krishna Sudama friendship quotes will describe what real friendship is.

They would know how a genuine friend realizes what their friend is suffering through and will do whatever they can to improve the situation.

1. True Friendship is Unconditional

Real friendship is tied by love and support, and we have witnessed how lord krishna and Sudama were connected with each other, regardless of their social or economic status.

Krishna always treated him with love, dedication, and respect, offering true friendship that goes above and beyond external appearances.

2. Humility is Greater than Pride

Sudama never expected or boasted of anything from his friend. His humility became his greatest power. The story explains that ego has no place in devotion or friendship.

3. Selfless Giving is Divine

Sudama presents a handful of rice, small, but given with pure love. It’s a way that shows what matters is not how much we give, but the intention with which we give it.

4. God Understands the Unspoken

Sudama did not seek help directly from Krishna. Still, Krishna understood his requirements without even telling him – shows that God also hears while praying silently from a pure heart.

5. Devotion is More Valuable Than Wealth

In the eyes of God, devotion matters the most. When Sudama had nothing to give, his kind heart and true devotion made him worthy of divine offerings.

Conclusion

The tales of Krishna and Sudama teach us the true meaning in this selfish world. We should always help our friends regardless of their financial background.

Rather than that, Krishna stopped Sudama and hugged him in front of everyone. It shows the immortal example of friendship.

This is why we always remember now whenever we discuss friendship. Giving Devotion and Bhakti to God does not mean we have to expect anything in return.

Is it possible that God knows better than we do what is good and what is bad for us? We should have faith in God, because everything is decided by Him.

God makes a better plan than any we could think of. Trust me. Despite not asking for anything, Sudama received Money and Wealth from Krishna in his case.

People who live as true believers are always rewarded by God. You may feel that Krishna showed favor to Sudama only because they were Friends in childhood.

That’s not right, though. Because Sudama spent his life on the path of Spirituality and inspired many people to follow religious rules, Krishna granted him good fortune.

Krishna rewarded him for being a good person, and God wished for Arjuna to advance on his spiritual journey with stronger motivation. It was because of the beauty in the promise of their friendship.