He who perceives the Self directly in all beings understood at once the true purpose behind the Brahmin’s visit. He reflected, “This man did not come to me before, seeking wealth for himself.” Now, however, prompted by the earnest wish of his devoted wife and out of the bond of friendship, the Brahmin had come to Krishna. The Lord resolved, “I shall grant him riches that are rarely attained by mortals.” With this thought, Krishna took from the Brahmin’s humble dwelling the parched rice tied up in a cloth, wondering to Himself, “What is this offering?” Yet, as He received it, Krishna declared, “O friend, this simple gift brought to Me brings supreme satisfaction. These grains of parched rice, dear one, please not only Me, but the whole universe as well.” Having eaten one handful, Krishna reached for a second, but at that very moment, Lakshmi, the Goddess devoted to the Supreme Lord, gently seized His hand. She said, “O Soul of the Universe, this alone is enough to bestow all prosperity, in this world or the next, upon one whose only aim is to please You.” That night, the Brahmin remained in Achyuta’s abode, eating, drinking, and experiencing such happiness that he felt as though he were in heaven itself. When morning came, he was honored by all, enveloped in universal affection and personal joy, and so, accompanied along the path, he set out for his home. He had not received any wealth from Krishna, nor had he asked for it; yet, though he felt a little bashful, he was deeply fulfilled by the great vision he had received. He marveled to himself, “Ah, I have witnessed the devotion of the Lord who cherishes the Brahmins. Though I am most poor, Lakshmi herself embraced Him upon His chest.” He reflected further, “Where am I—poor and sinful—and where is Krishna, the very abode of fortune? Though I am only a Brahmin 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 own hand holding a child’s fan. With the utmost service, such as massaging my feet, I was honored by the Lord of gods, the god of Brahmins, as if I were a god myself.” The Brahmin mused, “For men, the root of all happiness in heaven and liberation, of wealth on earth and every perfection, is the worship of His feet. If I, so poor, were to obtain wealth, I might become intoxicated and forget Him. Out of compassion, He surely did not give me abundant riches.” Thinking thus, he approached his humble home. But what he saw astonished him: his house was now 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 the ponds bloomed with lotuses, water lilies, and blue lotuses. Men and women, beautifully adorned and with gentle, doe-like eyes, graced the place. The Brahmin wondered, “What is this? Whose place is this? How has this come to be?” While he pondered, radiant men and women, shining like immortals, welcomed him with songs 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 emerging from her celestial abode. Seeing her beloved, her eyes brimming with love and longing, she 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 beauty and splendor. Pleased and united with her, he entered his own palace, adorned with hundreds of jeweled pillars, resembling the mansion of Indra himself. Within, 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 were all around. On clear crystal walls and great emerald surfaces, jeweled lamps glowed, and women adorned with gems attended to him. The Brahmin, seeing the abundance of all riches, calmly reflected on his prosperity, which had come to him without any apparent cause. He thought, “Surely, this is due to the grace of my friend, the foremost of the Yadus. Nothing else could explain this wealth. Even without asking, the generous king gives abundantly to those who request, like a cloud that observes and provides. Whatever little he gives, even if small, is given as a friend; though he is a great giver, he accepted from me a mere handful of parched grain, offered with affection.” He prayed, “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. For the devoted, the Lord indeed grants wondrous prosperity and kingdoms, but He does not bestow them on those lacking discernment, knowing well the pride and downfall that can come with wealth.” Thus resolved in mind, the devotee of Janardana, though surrounded by pleasures, enjoyed them without excessive attachment. He remembered, “For that Lord of sacrifice, Hari, the god of gods, the Brahmins are his origin; nothing is higher than them.” So, the Brahmin, friend of the Lord, saw the unconquered One conquered by His own servants. With his mind bound in meditation upon Krishna, he soon attained His abode—the path of the virtuous. Hearing of this god who is devoted to Brahmins, any man who gains devotion to the Lord is freed from the bondage of karma. Thus ends the eighty-first chapter, named “The Story of Prithu’s Anger,” in the tenth book, second half, of the great Purana, Srimad Bhagavata, the scripture of the supreme paramahamsas. Shri Shuka continued: Once, while Rama and Krishna were residing in Dvaraka, a great solar eclipse occurred, as happens at the end of a kalpa. O King, knowing of this event, people from all sides journeyed to the field of Samantapanchaka, seeking auspiciousness. Rama, foremost among wielders of weapons, had once made the earth devoid of kshatriyas, and by the flood of kings’ blood, he had created great lakes.