O revered brāhmaṇa, do you recall the days we spent together as disciples in our preceptor’s home? Often, at the request of our teacher’s wives, we would venture into the forest to gather firewood. One such day, as we entered the vast woods, a fierce storm suddenly arose. The winds howled violently and thunder crashed overhead, shaking the very earth. Night quickly descended, and darkness enveloped all directions. The riverbank, low and now submerged by floodwaters, was impossible to discern. We were battered by powerful gusts and torrents of rain, overwhelmed and unable to find our way. In the thick forest, unable to see each other, we wandered about, holding hands, distressed and frightened. When dawn broke, our teacher, Sāndīpani, came searching for us. He found his students in a miserable state—soaked, exhausted, and shivering. With compassion, he exclaimed, “Ah, dear children, you have suffered greatly for my sake! Even forsaking your own comfort, you have devoted yourselves to me.” He reminded us, “Indeed, this is what true disciples must do for their teacher: dedicate all their efforts and very selves to the guru with pure intent.” Pleased by our devotion, he blessed us, saying, “May all your true wishes be fulfilled, and may you master the Vedas and their limbs, here and hereafter.” Through such experiences, living in the guru’s house and receiving his grace, one attains completeness and peace. The blessed brāhmaṇa responded, “O Lord of gods, teacher of the world, what remains unfulfilled for us, when we have lived in your house, you who are ever true to your word? For him whose 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 supreme renunciants. Śrī Śuka continued: In this way, as Hari conversed with the foremost brāhmaṇa, He—knower of all hearts—smiled and spoke. Kṛṣṇa, the Lord devoted to brāhmaṇas, gazed affectionately at his friend, smiling with warmth; such a glance is the goal of the virtuous. The Blessed Lord said, “O brāhmaṇa, what gift have you brought me from your home? Even a small offering brought by devotees with love becomes great to me; 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 felt embarrassed before the Lord of Śrī. He had brought only a handful of parched rice, but hesitated, silent and ashamed, unable to present it. Yet Kṛṣṇa, who sees the Self in all beings, understood his purpose. He thought, “This man did not worship me before out of desire for wealth. Now, prompted by his wife’s wish and out of friendship, he has come to me. I shall grant him riches rarely attained by mortals.” Thinking thus, Kṛṣṇa took the parched rice bound in cloth from the brāhmaṇa’s dwelling, asking, “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.” Having eaten one handful, He reached for a second, but at that moment, Lakshmi, ever devoted to the Lord, gently stopped Him, saying, “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 remained in Achyuta’s abode, eating, drinking, and feeling happiness beyond measure, as if he were in heaven. When morning came, honored with affection and joy, he returned home, accompanied along the way. He had not received wealth from Kṛṣṇa, nor had he asked for it. Still, he felt fulfilled by the great vision and the Lord’s embrace. He reflected, “Ah, I have witnessed the devotion of the Lord who cherishes the brāhmaṇas! Though I am most poor, Lakshmi 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 herself with a child’s fan, though weary. With 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.” He pondered, “For men, the root of all 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 Me; thus, out of compassion, He surely did not give me abundant riches.” Thinking thus, he approached his humble home. To his astonishment, he found it surrounded on all sides by 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 blossoming lotuses, water lilies, and blue lotuses in the ponds. Beautiful men and women with doe-like eyes, adorned splendidly, graced the place. He wondered, “What is this? Whose place is this? How has this come to be?” As he pondered, radiant men and women welcomed him with singing and music. Hearing that her husband had arrived, his wife, overwhelmed with joy, hurried out of the house like Lakshmi herself emerging from her abode. Seeing her husband, she closed her eyes and embraced him with reverent mind and heart, her eyes brimming with love and longing. He beheld his wife, shining among the maidservants, radiant like a celestial goddess, standing out in the midst of those without necklaces. United and pleased, they entered their own palace, adorned with hundreds of jeweled pillars, resembling the mansion of Indra.