Living in the house of a guru, by the teacher’s grace alone, a person gradually attains completeness and peace through many profound experiences. The blessed brāhmaṇa, feeling fulfilled, addressed the Lord of gods, the teacher of the world: “O master, what remains unfulfilled for us, when we have lived in your house? You are ever 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 supreme renunciants. Śuka continued: As Hari conversed with that foremost brāhmaṇa, the Lord, who knows the minds of all beings, smiled and spoke to him. Kṛṣṇa, ever devoted to the brāhmaṇas, gazed affectionately at the brāhmaṇa, his loving smile shining forth—the very 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.” Though addressed thus, the brāhmaṇa, embarrassed before the Lord of Śrī, did not offer the handful of parched rice he had brought. He remained silent and ashamed. Kṛṣṇa, who directly perceives the Self in all beings, understood the reason for his coming and 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.” Thinking thus, Kṛṣṇa took from the brāhmaṇa’s dwelling the parched rice bound in cloth, 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.” Having eaten one handful, Kṛṣṇa took a second to eat; at that moment, Lakshmi, devoted to the Supreme Lord, gently seized His hand. “O Soul of the Universe,” she said, “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. When morning came, honored with universal affection and personal happiness, he joyfully returned to his own home, accompanied on the path. He had not obtained wealth from Kṛṣṇa, nor had he asked for it; he returned to his house, feeling bashful, yet fulfilled by the great vision. 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, 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 within himself, he approached his humble home, only to find it surrounded on all sides by aerial palaces shining like the sun, fire, and moon. It was 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. He 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 abundant singing and instrumental music. Hearing that her husband had arrived, his wife, overwhelmed with joy and excitement, quickly came out of the house, like Lakshmi herself from her abode. The devoted wife, seeing her husband, with eyes brimming with love and longing, closed her eyes and embraced him with reverent mind and heart. He, astonished, beheld his wife shining among the maidservants, radiant like 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. Beds resembling milk foam, gentle and decorated with gold, couches with golden rails, and yak-tail fans were present. There were golden seats with soft cushions, canopies hung with pearl garlands, and shining coverings. 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 without cause. “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. May I have friendship, companionship, and service to him, birth after birth; through association with that great soul, the abode of virtues, my attachment is fixed.