With great joy and reverence, Krishna welcomed his dear friend, the Brahmin, into his home. He honored him with fragrant incense and rows of shining lamps, offered him betel nut, and, as a mark of respect, presented him with a cow. Words of heartfelt welcome flowed from Krishna’s lips. The goddess Lakshmi herself served the Brahmin, who appeared in worn, soiled garments, his body thin and his veins prominent from austerity. With her own hands, she gently fanned him with a yak-tail whisk, treating him as an honored guest. The women of the inner chambers watched in wonder as Krishna, famed for his spotless glory, received this avadhūta—a wandering mendicant—so humbly and lovingly. Their hearts filled with amazement and affection. They whispered among themselves, “What extraordinary piety must this poor, despised, and lowly mendicant have performed to be so honored by Krishna?” Krishna, the Lord of Lakshmi and teacher of the three worlds, embraced the Brahmin as an elder brother, even as the goddess of fortune herself remained seated by his side. The two friends, hands clasped together, began to reminisce, recounting delightful stories from their days together in their preceptor’s house. Krishna spoke gently, “O Brahmin, after you completed your studies and offered the proper fee to your teacher, did you marry a suitable wife? You are wise in dharma, but I know well that your heart is not bound to household life or wealth. You live without desire and find little pleasure in such things.” He continued, “Many act out of desire, abandoning their divine nature, just as I do in order to maintain the world. Do you remember our time together in the preceptor’s house? For the twice-born, knowledge grants passage beyond darkness. The guru is the very root of those devoted to righteous action, the foremost among the twice-born, and the best among the stages of life—just as I am the giver of knowledge and the teacher.” “O Brahmin, those who truly understand the meaning of varṇa and āśrama, the duties of class and stage of life, easily cross the ocean of worldly existence by following my teaching as their guide. I am the inner soul of all beings, but I am not as pleased by worship, offspring, austerity, or restraint as I am by service to the teacher.” Krishna recalled, “Do you remember, friend, how we conducted ourselves as disciples? Sometimes, at the behest of our teacher’s wives, we would go together into the forest to gather firewood. One day, as we entered the deep woods, a fierce storm arose—violent winds, harsh thunder, and darkness after sunset. The riverbank was flooded, and we could not tell where we were. Rain and wind beat upon us; we wandered, hand in hand, unable to see each other or find our way, distressed and lost in the night.” “At sunrise, our teacher Sāndīpani searched for us and found us in our pitiable state. With compassion, he said, ‘Dear children, you have suffered so much for my sake. You have set aside your own comfort and devoted yourselves to me. This is the true duty of disciples—to dedicate all their efforts and very selves to the guru with pure intent. I am pleased with you. May all your true wishes be fulfilled, and may you master the Vedas and their branches, here and hereafter.’” “In this way, by the guru’s grace alone, a student who lives with the teacher attains completeness and peace through many such experiences.” The Brahmin replied humbly, “O Lord of gods, teacher of the world, what could remain unfulfilled for us, having lived in your house? You are ever true to your word. For one whose very body is Vedic sound, dwelling with a teacher is the highest of all blessings.” Thus concludes the eightieth chapter, “The Story of Śrīdāma,” in the Tenth Book of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, the scripture for supreme renunciants. Śuka continued: As Hari, the Lord, conversed with the foremost Brahmin, Krishna—who knows the hearts of all beings—smiled and spoke affectionately to his friend. With a loving glance, the Lord who cherishes the Brahmins addressed him, for such a look is the highest reward for the virtuous. Krishna said, “O Brahmin, what gift have you brought me from your home? Even a small offering, if given with love by a devotee, becomes great in my eyes. But even a great gift from one without devotion does not please me. Whoever offers me a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water with devotion, I accept that offering from the pure-hearted devotee.” Hearing this, the Brahmin felt embarrassed before the Lord of Lakshmi and, ashamed, did not offer the handful of parched rice he had brought. He remained silent, his heart full of humility. But Krishna, who sees the Self in all beings, understood the Brahmin’s purpose. He thought, “This man did not seek me before out of desire for wealth. But now, prompted by his devoted wife and out of friendship, he has come to me. I will grant him riches rarely attained by mortals.” Thinking thus, Krishna took from the Brahmin’s cloth the parched rice he had brought and asked, “What is this?” Then, with joy, Krishna said, “O friend, truly this offering brought to me is supreme satisfaction. These grains of parched rice, dear one, satisfy me and the whole universe.” He ate a handful, and as he reached for a second, Lakshmi, devoted to her Lord, gently took his hand and said, “O Soul of the Universe, this alone is enough for the abundance of all prosperity, in this world or the next, for one whose only aim is to please you.” That night, the Brahmin remained in Krishna’s abode, enjoying food, drink, and happiness, feeling as if he were in heaven itself. When morning came, honored by all and filled with joy, he returned home, accompanied on his way. He did not receive wealth from Krishna, nor did he ask for it. He walked home, bashful yet fulfilled, his heart overflowing from the great vision he had beheld. He thought, “Ah, I have witnessed the devotion of the Lord who cherishes the Brahmins. Though I am most poor, Lakshmi herself embraced him upon his chest.