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26 / The Brahmana Sudaima
Benedicted by Lord Krsna

Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul of all
living entities, knows very well everyone’s heart. He is especially inclined
to the brahmana devotees. Lord Krsna is also called brahmanyadeva, which
means that He is worshiped by the brahmanas. Therefore it is understood
that a devotee who is fully surrendered unto the Supreme Personality of
Godhead has already acquired the position of a brahmana. Without be-
coming a brahmana, one cannot approach the Supreme Brahman, Lord
Krsna. Krsna is especially concerned with vanquishing the distress of His
devotees, and He is the only shelter of pure devotees.

Lord Krsna was engaged for a long time in talking with Sudama Vipra
about their past association. Then, just to enjoy the company of an old
friend, Lord Krsna began to smile, and asked, “‘My dear friend, what have
you brought for Me? Has your wife given you some nice eatable for Me?”
While He-was addressing His friend, Lord Krsna was looking upon him and
smiling with great love. He continued: ‘‘My dear friend, you must have
brought some presentation for Me from your home.”

Lord Krsna knew that Sudama was hesitating to present Him the paltry
chipped rice which was actually unfit for His eating, and understanding
the mind of Sudama Vipra the Lord said, ‘‘My dear friend, certainly I am
not in need of anything, but if My devotee gives Me something as an offer-
ing of love, even though it may be very insignificant, I accept it with great
pleasure. On the other hand, if a person is not a devotee, even though he
may offer Me very valuable things, I do not like to accept them. I actually
accept only things which are offered to Me in devotion and love; other-
wise, however valuable the thing may be, I do not accept it. If My pure devo-
tee offers Me even the most insignificant things—alittle flower, a little piece
of leaf, a little water—but saturates the offering in devotional love, then
I not only gladly accept such an offering, but I eat it with great pleasure.”

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