The Lord, pleased with his devoted guest, addressed him with warmth, “O best of the twice-born, may all your heartfelt wishes be fulfilled. May you gain mastery over the Vedas and their branches, both in this life and beyond.” Indeed, it is by the grace of the guru alone, living in the teacher’s home and serving with sincerity, that one attains completeness and peace, experiencing many blessings along the way. The blessed brāhmaṇa, filled with gratitude, replied, “O Lord of gods, teacher of the world, what could remain unfulfilled for us after dwelling in your house, you who are ever true to your word? For one whose very form is composed of Vedic sound, O mighty one, to live with such a teacher is the highest honor among all blessings.” Thus concludes the chapter recounting the story of Śrīdāma, as told in the Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, the scripture revered by the greatest renunciants. Śrī Śuka continued: As Hari conversed with the foremost brāhmaṇa, he who knows the hearts of all beings smiled gently and addressed him. Kṛṣṇa, ever devoted to the brāhmaṇas, gazed upon him with affectionate eyes and a loving smile—a look so cherished by the virtuous. The Blessed Lord said, “O brāhmaṇa, what gift have you brought me from your home? Even a small offering, when given with devotion, becomes great in my eyes; but even a great gift, if lacking devotion, does not please me. Whoever offers me a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or even water with a pure heart and devotion, I accept that offering from such a devotee.” Hearing these words, the brāhmaṇa, feeling shy before the Lord of Śrī, hesitated to offer the handful of parched rice he had brought, remaining silent and bashful. But the Lord, who sees the Self in all beings, understood his heart and the reason for his visit. He thought, “This man did not come to worship me out of desire for wealth. Now, at the urging of his devoted wife and out of friendship, he has come to me. I shall grant him riches rarely attained by mortals.” Thinking thus, Kṛṣṇa reached for the parched rice, wrapped in a cloth, that the brāhmaṇa had brought and wondered, “What is this?” With great delight, he declared, “O friend, this offering you have brought gives me supreme satisfaction! These grains of parched rice, dear one, satisfy not only me but the whole universe.” With these words, the Lord ate a handful of the rice, and as he reached for a second, Lakshmi herself, ever devoted to Him, gently took hold of 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 sole aim is to please You.” That night, the brāhmaṇa remained in Achyuta’s abode, eating, drinking, and rejoicing, feeling as if he were in heaven itself. When morning came, honored by all and filled with personal happiness, he joyfully returned to his home, accompanied along the path. He had not received wealth from Kṛṣṇa, nor had he asked for it; yet, though bashful, he returned fulfilled by the great vision of the Lord. Reflecting on his experience, he thought, “Ah, I have witnessed the devotion of the Lord who cherishes the brāhmaṇas. Though I am most poor, Lakshmi herself embraced Him upon His chest. Where am I—poor and sinful—and where is Kṛṣṇa, the abode of all 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, holding a child’s fan though I was weary. With utmost service, such as massaging my feet, I was honored by the Lord of gods, the god of the brāhmaṇas, as if I were a god myself. 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 the Lord; thus, out of compassion, He surely did not give me abundant riches.” While thinking thus, he approached his humble home and was astonished to find 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 flocks of birds, and ponds blossoming with lotuses, water lilies, and blue lotuses. Beautifully adorned men and women with doe-like eyes graced the scene. Amazed, the brāhmaṇa wondered, “What is this? Whose place is this? How has this come to be?” As he pondered, men and women, radiant as immortals, welcomed him with joyous 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 emerging from her abode. With eyes brimming with love and longing, she embraced her husband with reverence and devotion. He beheld his wife, now radiant among the maidservants, shining like a celestial goddess amid those without necklaces. Joyful and united with her, he entered his own palace, adorned with hundreds of jeweled pillars, resembling the mansion of Indra. There were beds as soft as milk foam, gentle and decorated with gold, couches with golden rails, and yak-tail fans. Golden seats with soft cushions, canopies hung with pearl garlands, and shining coverings filled the rooms. On clear crystal walls and great emerald surfaces, jeweled lamps shone, and women adorned with gems attended. The brāhmaṇa, seeing the abundance of all riches, calmly reflected on his own prosperity, which had come without any effort of his own. He thought, “Surely, this is the cause of prosperity for me, so unfortunate and always poor; nothing else could explain the wealth of the foremost Yadu. Indeed, even without asking, the generous king gives abundantly to those who request; like a cloud, he observes and provides, my friend, the chief of the Dasharhas. Whatever little he gives, even if small, is done as a friend; though he is a great giver, he accepted from me a handful of parched grain, offered with affection.