At sunrise, Sāndīpani, the revered teacher, went searching for his students and found them in a pitiable condition. Deeply moved, he addressed them: “Ah, dear children, you have suffered much for my sake. Sacrificing your own comfort, you have devoted yourselves to me.” He praised their dedication, saying, “This is the true conduct of disciples: to offer themselves wholly to their guru, with pure intent and unwavering effort.” Pleased with their sincerity, he blessed them, “O best of the twice-born, may all your true wishes be fulfilled. May you master the Vedas and their branches, now and forever.” He explained that, by the guru’s grace alone, one who lives in the teacher’s house attains completeness and peace through many such experiences. The blessed brāhmaṇa responded with reverence, “O Lord of gods, teacher of the world, what remains unfulfilled for us, who have lived in your house, you who are ever true to your word?” He reflected, “For him whose body is composed of Vedic sound, dwelling with a teacher is the highest honor among all blessings.” Thus concluded 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 then spoke: As Hari conversed with the foremost brāhmaṇa, the Lord—who knows the hearts of all—smiled and addressed him. Kṛṣṇa, ever devoted to the brāhmaṇas, gazed affectionately at the brāhmaṇa, his loving smile the very goal of the virtuous. The Blessed Lord said, “O brāhmaṇa, what gift have you brought me from your home? Even the smallest offering brought 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.” Though thus addressed, the brāhmaṇa felt embarrassed before the Lord of Śrī, and did not present the handful of parched rice he carried, remaining silent and ashamed. But Kṛṣṇa, who directly perceives the Self in all beings, understood the reason for his coming, thinking, “This man did not worship me before out of desire for wealth. Now, prompted by 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’s dwelling the parched rice bound in cloth, wondering, “What is this?” He declared, “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 Supreme Lord, gently seized His hand, 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.” The brāhmaṇa spent that night in Achyuta’s abode, eating, drinking, and feeling happiness, as if he were in heaven itself. When morning came, honored with universal affection and personal happiness, he joyfully returned to his own home, accompanied 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 reflected, “Ah, I have witnessed the devotion of the Lord who cherishes the brāhmaṇas, for 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, 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. 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, only to find it surrounded by aerial palaces shining like the sun, fire, and moon. The grounds were adorned with wondrous groves and gardens, filled with the songs of flocks of birds, and with blossoming lotuses, water lilies, and blue lotuses in the ponds. The place was graced by men and women, beautifully adorned, with doe-like eyes. Amazed, 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 abundant singing and instrumental music. Hearing that her husband had arrived, his wife, overwhelmed with joy and excitement, quickly came out of the house, shining like Lakshmi herself from her abode. Seeing him, her eyes brimming with love and longing, she closed her eyes and embraced him with reverence. He beheld his wife shining among the maidservants, radiant as a celestial goddess, standing out in the midst of those without necklaces. Pleased and united with her, he entered his own palace, adorned with hundreds of jeweled pillars, resembling the mansion of Indra. There were beds soft as milk foam, decorated with gold, couches with golden rails, and yak-tail fans. Golden seats with soft cushions, canopies hung with pearl garlands, and shining coverings were all around. On clear crystal walls and great emerald surfaces, jeweled lamps shone, and women adorned with gems were present. The brāhmaṇa, seeing there the abundance of all riches, calmly reflected on his own prosperity, which had come to him without cause.