WHY DON'T I SEE AROUND ME MANY FRIENDS BY THE NAME SUDAMA?

Pic.: Sheela krishnamony

Up to my fifth standard, I went to the local primary school at our village in Mangalore. In my class, there were many Krishna’s, Govinda's, Gopala’s and Keshava’s... Yes, all meant the same: Krishna!

Janmashtami – which we called Krishnashtami or simply Ashtami – was a huge festival in our village, too. The local Krishna Mandal would organize it so well... All along the distance of almost two-to-three miles, hundreds of Dhai Handies were raised by patrons and mandals... There were different kinds of acts and shows enacted along... Thousands of people thronged to watch this, queuing up along both sides of the street... And, it all continued till midnight.

Here in Mumbai, Dahi Handi, though cash-rich and glamorous, it is nowhere near our village celebrations, which were a fantastic combination of grace and glamour... When baby Krishna was carried by the devotees on His palki, they carried Him with such dignity, such reverence and such swinging motion, that one could feel it was Lord who was being carried, whose birth was being celebrated... The folded hands and bowed heads were all there – lined up for miles – burdened with their troubles and miseries... They all came there to seek His help in unburdening them...

I still remember the touching story of Sudama and Krishna, told by our local school teacher, Satyavati. Fifty years have gone by, and the story has still stayed with me, alive...

Krishna and Sudama were great childhood friends. Their friendship had blossomed when they were studying under their Guru, Sandipani. What made this friendship unique were the extremely different economic backgrounds of the two boys: Krishna hailed from a royal family, while Sudama hailed from a very poor family. But, the two boys just enjoyed their friendship, completely oblivious of the wealth or poverty surrounding their respective lives...

Soon after the studies, the boys parted their ways. Krishna, as destined, became the great ruler of Dwaraka, blissfully married to His wife Rukmini, who was known as the Goddess of wealth, Laxmi. Life was a dream for Krishna!

On the other hand, back in his village, Sudama continued to live in poverty with his wife and children. The times were tough for them; there was acute shortage of money to even buy food for the little children. Still, Sudama chose to live his life with great dignity and hope.

But, Sudama’s wife was unable to carry the burden any longer. She remembered her husband often talking about his great friendship with Krishna. She knew that Sudama was a man of great self-respect and would not bother Krishna with his problems. “If not for our sake, at lest for our children’s sake, do go to your childhood friend, Krishna,” the wife pleaded before her husband, “He won’t send you back empty-handed.”

Sudama was sad and hurt. He couldn’t’ see his children starving. Finally, with lots of reluctance, he decided to proceed towards Dwaraka. His wife borrowed some beaten-rice (Poha) from their neighbor, made a snack which Krishna loved as a little boy, packed it in a cloth and sent off her husband.

At the palace-gate, the guards stopped the shabby-looking Sudama. But, when the word went to the King about a visitor called Sudama at the palace-gate, Krishna, the King, came rushing to the gate, with great joy and excitement, to welcome his childhood friend. The guards and the on-lookers were left puzzled on watching this sight...

Krishna and his wife Rukmini treated Sudama with great affection and respect. He was served royal food in plates of gold and was made to sleep on finest beds... Looking at the opulence in which his friend Krishna and His wife lived, Sudama felt embarrassed to offer him the Poha his wife had packed as a gift. But, Krishna, who could read his friend's mind, immediately snatched the pack, and began to relish His favorite snack!

For two nights, Sudama lived in the palace savoring all the love and luxury showered upon by his friend, Krishna. However, he couldn't gather enough courage to ask for the help he needed. Finally, the time came to leave. Krishna and Rukmini escorted Sudama  to the gate and bid him good-bye...

On his way home, Sudama was even more burdened. “How would I explain my empty-hands to my wife?” he panicked all through the journey home...

And, behold! When he was home, it all had changed: His wife and children now lived in a mansion, wore wonderful clothes...and, yes, appeared happy, that, Lord Krishna, had not sent his childhood friend back, empty-handed!

But, the legend goes, that Sudama and his family lived a life of prayer and gratitude, ever after...

This story shall always remain etched in my memories... I draw my own morals from this beautiful story: The Lord knows my worries and burdens... All that I need to do is, remain dignified and graceful in carrying my burdens... and remain sincere in my intentions and prayers... He knows when I am too shy to ask Him for help... He knows when I am arrogant and when I am humble... And, above all, He is my best friend... My true chaddi-buddy!

But, all said and done, one thing would, always, remain a mystery for me: Why did I see in my class so many friends by the name Krishna, Govinda, Gopala and Keshava... Why didn't I see any friends by the name ‘Sudama’? And, why don’t I still see, today,  many friends around me by that name?

After all, Sudama was such an amazing and inspiring soul!

Wasn't he?

GERLA DICUNHA