What extraordinary merit, one might wonder, had this humble avadhūta, this wandering mendicant, performed to deserve such fortune? Destitute and despised by the world, he seemed the lowest of men. Yet, when he arrived, Śrīnivāsa Himself—the revered preceptor of the three worlds—rose to honor him. The Lord embraced him as an elder brother, even as the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī, remained seated gracefully upon the couch. Their reunion was warm and intimate. Hand in hand, they reminisced, sharing delightful stories from their days together in their preceptor’s house. As they spoke, the Blessed Lord turned to the brāhmaṇa with gentle inquiry: “O brāhmaṇa, after you completed your studies and offered your guru the proper fee, did you marry a suitable wife, O knower of dharma?” Then Kṛṣṇa continued, “I know well, O wise one, that your mind is not attached to household life or to wealth. You act without desire and take little pleasure in such things. Many, deluded by desire, abandon their divine nature and perform actions, just as I do, for the sake of maintaining the world. O brāhmaṇa, do you remember our time together in the preceptor’s house? For the twice-born, true knowledge leads beyond all darkness. “Indeed, the preceptor is the very origin of those devoted to righteous action, born among the twice-born, and foremost in all the āśramas—just as I am the giver of knowledge and the eternal teacher. Those who truly understand the meaning of varṇa and āśrama, who follow my instruction, easily cross the ocean of worldly existence. “I, the indwelling soul of all beings, am not satisfied by worship, offspring, austerity, or restraint so much as I am by service to the teacher. Do you remember, O brāhmaṇa, how we conducted ourselves in our guru’s house? Sometimes, at the request of our preceptor’s wives, we would go together to collect firewood. “Once, as we entered the great forest, a fierce storm arose—violent winds, harsh thunder. The sun had set, and darkness enveloped all directions. The riverbank was flooded and indistinguishable. Powerful winds and torrents of rain struck us as we wandered, hand in hand, lost and distressed, unable to see each other or tell the way. “At sunrise, our teacher Sāndīpani, searching for us, found his disciples in a pitiable state. He cried out, ‘Ah, dear children, you have suffered greatly for my sake. Forsaking your own comfort, you have 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, O best of the twice-born. May all your true wishes be fulfilled, and may you master the Vedas and their limbs, here and hereafter.’ “In this way, by the guru’s grace alone, one who lives in the teacher’s house attains completeness and peace, through many such experiences.” Then the blessed brāhmaṇa replied, “O Lord of gods, teacher of the world, what could remain unfulfilled for us, who have lived in your house, you who are ever true to your word? For one whose body is composed of Vedic sound, O mighty one, dwelling with a teacher is the highest honor among all blessings.” Thus concludes the eightieth chapter, “The Story of Śrīdāma,” in the second half of the Tenth Book of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, the scripture for the supreme renunciants. Śrī Śuka continued: As Hari conversed with the foremost brāhmaṇa, He, who knows the minds of all beings, smiled gently and spoke to him. Kṛṣṇa, ever affectionate to the brāhmaṇas, gazed upon His guest with loving eyes—a look that is the highest reward for the virtuous. The Blessed Lord asked, “O brāhmaṇa, what gift have you brought me from your home? Even a small offering, if brought with love by my devotee, becomes great in my eyes. But even a grand 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 these words, the brāhmaṇa, embarrassed before the Lord of Śrī, did not offer the handful of parched rice he had brought. He sat silent and ashamed. But the Lord, who sees the Self in all beings, understood the reason for his coming. He thought, “This man did not worship me before out of desire for wealth. But now, at his devoted wife’s wish and out of friendship, he has come to me. I shall grant him riches rarely attained by mortals.” With this resolve, Kṛṣṇa took the parched rice, wrapped in a cloth, from the brāhmaṇa’s dwelling, wondering, “What is this?” He said, “O friend, truly this offering brought to Me is supreme satisfaction. These grains of parched rice, O dear one, satisfy Me and the whole universe.” He ate one handful, and as He reached for a second, Lakṣmī, devoted to the Supreme Lord, gently seized His hand. She 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 purpose is to please You.” That night, the brāhmaṇa stayed in Achyuta’s abode, eating, drinking, and experiencing happiness, as if he were in heaven itself. When morning came, honored by all and filled with joy, he returned to his home, accompanied along the path. He had not received wealth from Kṛṣṇa, nor did he ask for it; yet he returned bashful, his heart fulfilled by the great vision he had received. He reflected, “Ah, I have witnessed the devotion of the Lord who cherishes the brāhmaṇas. Though I am most poor, Lakṣmī herself embraced Him upon His chest. Where am I, poor and sinful, and where is Kṛṣṇa, the abode of fortune? Though called merely a brāhmaṇa in name, I was embraced by His arms. I was seated on a couch, cherished by my dear friend as brothers are, fanned by the queen, though weary, with her hand holding a child’s fan. With utmost service, such as massaging the feet, I was honored by the Lord of gods, the god of brāhmaṇas, as if I were a god myself.” Thus, the humble brāhmaṇa, though materially poor, was spiritually enriched beyond measure by the Lord’s grace and loving hospitality.