A Friendship to Ponder upon..!!

 

My Humble Pranams to all...!! Sometimes in life we can find a special someone who changes our life by just being a part of it, someone who makes us believe that humanity still exists in this world, someone who makes us believe that there is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it, someone whose presence just make you feel warm and comfortable and that special person who makes us feel incredible forever should be none other than a true friend. For me a true friend is a person who accepts us just the way we are and trust us so much that they are not afraid to show their weakness or insecurity and its someone with whom you can go a while without talking to because life gets busy and then jump right back into swing of things without missing a beat and the one who is truly happy when something good happens and sad with you when things get wrong and honestly gives opinion when you ask for one. Hard to find someone like that is it so ? When we talk about Friendship its the story of Lord Krishna and Suddhama that remains as a perfect example for this. Lord Krishna and Suddhama were childhood friends. As days passed by, Krishna married Rukmani and ruled Dwarka but Suddhama lived a life of poverty. Sudhamas wife, Susheela insisted him to meet his friend Krishna and beseech him for some financial help especially because it was hard to see children suffer. Suddhama was reluctant to ask him such a big favour to Lord Krishna and he was in a view that since he  being a God would be aware of his suffering without having to go and complain to him. He couldn't see his kids suffer and so he agreed. Susheela borrows some flattened rice from her neighbour and gives it to Suddhama to take it as a gift for his friend. Suddhama reached Dwaraka and was amazed by the view of the beautiful city and magnificent palace. Suddhama was wearing torn dhoti and because of his appearance guards did not allow him to enter the palace but he pleaded with the guards to inform Krishna that he had come to meet him. The guard reluctantly informs the Lord Krishna and immediately Lord Krishna runs barefoot to meet his friend and hugs him and welcomes him abode and treats him with utmost love and respect. Suddhama felt ashamed to present the gift to Lord Krishna but all-knowing Krishna asks Suddhama for his gift and eats the flattened rice with love. Krishna and Suddhama spend time talking about childhood memories and overwhelmed by Krishna's compassion Suddhama returns without asking for any help. But to his surprise when he returns home, he finds his hut has been replaced by a huge mansion and wife and kids also dressed in fine clothes. Suddhama realises how truly lucky he is to have a friend like Krishna and a true friend is one who doesn't distinguish between rich or poor and its understanding that is more important for friendhsip and its not always like Krishna gives and Suddhama takes but Suddhama also gives something which he can afford to. There should always be some give policy along with this take policy and its a form of love that should be understood here and its pure love that makes one stand besides when you need them.

                                                                                                                         -Sowmya Raghavan