Kṛṣṇa, with deep understanding and gentle insight, spoke warmly to his dear friend, the learned brāhmaṇa: “O wise one, I know well that your mind is not bound by attachment to household life or wealth. You act without selfish desire and take little pleasure in such things. Many in this world, deluded by longing, abandon their true nature and perform actions out of desire—just as I, too, act in the world, maintaining its order, though without attachment. “O brāhmaṇa, do you remember those days when we lived together in our preceptor Sāndīpani’s house? For the twice-born, true knowledge is the means to cross beyond the darkness of ignorance. Indeed, the preceptor is the very origin of all who are devoted to righteous action, the foremost among those born of the twice-born, and the best among those dwelling in the āśramas. As I am the giver of knowledge and the teacher, so is he in this world. “Those who truly understand the meaning of the varṇas and āśramas, and follow my instruction as their teacher, easily cross the ocean of worldly existence. O brāhmaṇa, I, who dwell within all beings, am not as satisfied by worship, offspring, austerity, or restraint as I am by service to the teacher. Do you remember how we conducted ourselves in our teacher’s house? Sometimes, at the request of our preceptor’s wives, we would go together to gather firewood. “One day, as we entered the great forest, a fierce storm arose, with violent winds and harsh thunder. The sun had set; darkness covered all directions, and the swollen riverbank was impossible to find. We were battered by the storm, drenched by torrents of rain, and overwhelmed by the flood. Unable to see or find our way, we wandered hand in hand, distressed and lost in the forest. “At sunrise, our teacher Sāndīpani came searching for us and found us in that 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 their 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, now and forever.’ “By the grace of the guru alone, a student living with the teacher attains completeness and peace through such experiences.” The brāhmaṇa replied with reverence, “O Lord of gods, teacher of the world, what remains unfulfilled for us, when we have lived in your house and you are always true to your word? For one whose very body is composed of Vedic sound, 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 hearts of all beings smiled and spoke with affection. Kṛṣṇa, ever devoted to the brāhmaṇas, gazed upon his friend with a loving smile—the very glance that the virtuous seek as their highest goal. The Blessed Lord said, “O brāhmaṇa, what gift have you brought me from your home? Even a small offering 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 pure offering from the true-hearted devotee.” Hearing these words, the brāhmaṇa, embarrassed before the Lord of Lakṣmī, did not offer the handful of parched rice he had brought; he remained silent and ashamed. But Kṛṣṇa, who perceives the Self in all beings, understood his friend’s reason for coming. He thought, “This man did not worship me before out of desire for wealth. Now, prompted by the wish of his devoted wife and out of friendship, he has come to me. I shall grant him riches rarely attained by mortals.” With this thought, Kṛṣṇa took from the brāhmaṇa the parched rice bound in cloth, wondering, “What is this?” He said, “O friend, this offering you have brought is supreme satisfaction to me. These grains of parched rice, dear one, satisfy me and the whole universe.” Having eaten one handful, Kṛṣṇa reached for a second, but Lakṣmī, ever devoted to him, gently seized 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 heart’s purpose is to please you.” That night, the brāhmaṇa stayed in Achyuta’s abode, enjoying food, drink, and happiness, feeling as if he were in heaven itself. When morning came, honored by everyone and filled with joy, he returned home, accompanied by well-wishers along the path. He had not received material wealth from Kṛṣṇa, nor had he asked for it; yet he returned, bashful but fulfilled by the great vision he had experienced. 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 I am called merely a brāhmaṇa in name, I was embraced by his arms. I was seated on a couch and cherished by my dear friend as brothers are, fanned by the queen herself with a child’s fan, though I was weary. With the utmost service, such as massaging my feet, I was honored by the Lord of gods, the god of brāhmaṇas, as if I were a god myself. “For all people, the root of happiness in heaven and liberation, of wealth on earth, and of all perfections, is the worship of his feet. If this poor man were to obtain wealth, he might become intoxicated and forget the Lord; thus, out of compassion, he surely did not give me abundant riches.” Thinking thus, the brāhmaṇa approached his humble home, only to find it transformed: all around, there were aerial palaces shining like the sun, fire, and moon. The grounds were adorned with wondrous groves and gardens, filled with the songs of birds, and the ponds blossomed with lotuses, water lilies, and blue lotuses—a vision of prosperity and divine grace bestowed by the Lord’s loving glance.