Sudama did not even realize when Krishna started massaging his feet while talking to him.

Sudama had fallen asleep but Krishna, lost in his own thoughts, kept massaging his feet and talking about his childhood, when Rukmini placed her hand on his shoulder. Krishna was shocked and looked first at him and then at Sudama, then understanding his intention, he got up from there and went to his room.

Seeing Krishna in such a trance, Rukmini asked, “Swami, your behavior today seems very strange.
You, who are not even slightly impressed by the greatest emperors of this world when they visit Dwarka, He was so overwhelmed by the news of his friend’s arrival that he left his meal and ran barefoot to receive him. You, whom no sorrow, hardship, or challenge could ever make cry, Even he, who did not cry even after seeing the tears of Mother Yashoda while leaving Gokul, became so emotional after seeing the worn out and wound-filled feet of his friend that he washed his feet with his tears. You, the pinnacle of diplomacy, politics and wisdom, were so engrossed in seeing your friend that without thinking twice, you were going to give him the wealth and prosperity of the entire three worlds.

Krishna said in his same joyful state, “He is my childhood friend Rukmini!”

“But in his childhood, he had secretly eaten those gram which Gurumata had asked him to share with you? Now why so much emotion for such a friend?”, Satyabhama also expressed her curiosity.

Krishna smiled, “Sudama has done something, Satyabhama, that the entire universe should be grateful to. He ate those chickpeas not because he was hungry, but because he didn’t want his friend Krishna to see poverty.” He knew that thieves had left those chickpeas at the ashram, and he also knew that those thieves had stolen them from the home of a Brahmin woman. He also knew that the Brahmin woman had cursed that anyone who ate those chickpeas would remain poor for life. Sudama ate those chickpeas secretly from me so that I would be happy. He considered me a part of God, so he ate those chickpeas because he felt that if God himself became poor, the entire universe would become poor. Sudama accepted his poverty for the welfare of the entire creation.

“Such a great sacrifice!”, came out spontaneously from Rukmini’s mouth.

“My friend is a Brahmin, Rukmini. Brahmins are wise and selfless. They are deeply imbued with a sense of public welfare. With a few exceptions, Brahmins are generally like this. Now tell me, my love, if not love in my heart for such a friend, what else will be born? I did not cry as I left Gokul because if I had, my mother would have given up her life. But seeing my friend’s feet like these, with such wounds on them, my heart ached, Rukmini. His feet were so scarred and he was in such a state in life only because he wanted the best for his friend. You know, Rukmini, no one except the family has ever wished this Krishna well. People expect me to do good for him. Only friends like Sudama willingly embrace poverty and hardship for their friend’s happiness. Such friends are rare, and they are found through countless virtues. Now even if all the wealth of the three worlds is given to such a friend, it would still be less.” Krishna said in his voice choked with emotion.

Here in the room, the eyes of all the queens were filled with tears, and there, standing outside the room, the Ganga and Yamuna were flowing from the eyes of Sudama.

Jai Shri Radhe Krishna!!