Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.80.20-22
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Supreme Lord Personally Honors Sudāmā
“Lord Kṛṣṇa seated His friend Sudāmā upon the bed. Then the Lord, who purifies the whole world, personally offered him various tokens of respect and washed his feet, O King, after which He sprinkled the water on His own head. He anointed him with divinely fragrant sandalwood, aguru and kuṅkuma pastes and happily worshiped him with aromatic incense and arrays of lamps. After finally offering him betel nut and the gift of a cow, He welcomed him with pleasing words.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Kṛṣṇa seated Sudāmā on the bed and personally washed his feet. Although He purifies the whole world, He sprinkled that water on His own head.
- He anointed His friend with fragrant sandalwood, aguru and kuṅkuma pastes. He happily worshiped him with aromatic incense and arrays of lamps.
- Kṛṣṇa offered betel nut and the gift of a cow. He also welcomed Sudāmā with pleasing words.
Try this today
Offer someone a seat and welcome them with kind, pleasing words today.
Ask yourself
How can my words and actions make someone feel genuinely welcomed?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.