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"What have you brought for me from your house? Kven the
smallest thing brought by my Bhaktas becomes great by their love,
while the largest offerings of those that are not devoted to me cannot
please me." The Brahmana, though asked, was ashamed to offer the
flattened rice to the Lord of Lakshmi and he cast down his head.
The all-seeing Sri Krishna knew the object of the Brahmana's com-
ing. He found that the Brahmana had not at first worshipped him
with the object of attaining wealth. It was only to please his devo-
ted wife that he now had that desire. The Lord therefore thought he
would give him such wealth as was difficult to acquire. He then
snatched away the flattened rice from the rags of the Brahmana
saying, " What is this! O friend you have brought this highly gratify-
ing offering for me. These rice grains please me, the Universal Atma."
So saying he partook of one handful. When he was going to take
the second handful, Lakshmi held his hand, saying, " O Lord of the
Universe, this much will quite suffice to give all such wealth as can
be needed for this world as well as for the next, such that it will even
please thee to see that thy votary has got so much wealth."
The Brahmana passed the night with Krishna. The next
morning, he went home. Krishna went a certain distance with him
to see him off. Krishna did not give him wealth nor did he ask for
any. He thought within himself "What am I, a poor Brahmana and
a sinner and this Krishna, whose breast is the abode of Lakshmi, gave
me a reception as if I were a god. The worship of His feet is the root
of all Siddhis, all enjoyments, of Svarga and even of Mukti. Kind as
he is, he did not give me any the least wealth, lest a poor man should
forget Him by the pride of wealth."
When he reached home, he found palatial buildings, gardens
and lots of well-dressed male and female attendants. They received
him with valuable presents. His wife also came out to receive him,
with a number of female attendants. The Brahmana was surprised.
He saw this was all the outcome of his visiting Sri Krishna. He
controlled himself while enjoying this immense wealth and, medita-
ting on Sri Krishna, he at last attained His supreme abode.
THE MEETING AT KURUKSHETRA.
SKANDHA X. CHAP. 82-84
There was a total eclipse of the sun. Krishna and all the
Yadavas went to Kurukshetra to bathe on the occasion. Nanda,
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