Warm-hearted Sudama (Mythological Monologues #23)

The fragrance of true friendship

Never fades and evaporates with distance;

It dwells in the kernel of heart

Like the most mellifluous Bhajan,

The petrichor of monsoon

The aromatic flowers of Vasant

The vibrant colors of Holi.

My prized memories with dear Krishna

Take away all my scorching agonies

Like a whiff of perfumed zephyr-

Stealing butter from nearby households

Finding clay pots of freshly churned butter

Escaping the eyes of everyone and relishing it.

Every day, a new prank and hatching stories

To avoid getting caught by anyone.

Getting lost in the melody of His flute,

Experiencing Oneness with the Cosmos. 

I- Sudama have not met my loving friend

Since years yet I feel him in my heart

Providing love and solace whenever I need.

At the merciless hands of poverty, 

My wife asked me to seek help 

From Krishna, the King of Dwarka.

I embarked on my long journey to Dwarka,

Taking a handful of beaten rice for Krishna. 

The thought of beholding the effulgent face 

Of my dear friend after years of separation 

Inspired me to walk steadily to His palace. 

I- Sudama, a poor Brahmin was received

With bounteous warmth, joy, and respect 

By Krishna's wife, Rukmini. 

The long-awaited beautiful moment came

Krishna and I looked at each other

Tears of love flowing down our eyes

My heart overflowing with affection and devotion.

With trembling hands, I offered Him my gift

Feeling embarrassed in the midst of the grandeur.

Krishna took the handful of beaten rice

Savored it the way he savored butter in childhood

The cheerful and contented smile on His face- 

It made me forget my purpose of visiting Him. 

At that moment, Krishna was not the King of Dwarka

Sudama was no longer a poor, destitute Brahmin

Our differences were dissolved in the nectar of love.

Krishna insisted me to sit on His throne

As we recalled our childhood stories, 

Krishna washed my tired feet 

With water and sandalwood.

I stayed at the palace for two days

Basking in the euphoria of Divine Love.

Krishna embraced me before I left His palace.

As I walked towards my home, 

The cruel realization dawned on me;

The ecstasy of meeting Krishna-

It made me forget my purpose of visiting Him.

I failed to ask for any help

I wept as I thought of my wife and children

Starving since days without complaint.

I was speechless when I reached home

Instead of my hut, there was a palace

My wife, dressed in the finest clothes greeted me.

I knelt down as tears of joy rolled down my eyes

"O Krishna! You know my heart more than I do

You heard all my unsaid words 

You felt all my unexpressed anguish

You saw all my uncried tears.

The blessed ones who have You as their friend

Never need to worry about anything."

©Purba Chakraborty

27.04.2020

Note: Sudama was a Brahmin childhood friend of Lord Krishna. His story of meeting Krishna in Dwarka is mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana. 

Vibhishana (Mythological Monologues #22)