Hi,
Read the news last week that for the first time over a billion people used Facebook on a single day. That shows how much of an urge people have for friendship these days. Why so? Are they deprived of it otherwise? Do they lack true friends in their real life? Why is this craze for a friend whom you have never seen or met or talked to? How can we create and nurture true friendships that are not only meaningful but also joyful. Let us look at this story from The Bhagavatam and see if we can take a cue or two from it to be and remain a good friend.
Read the news last week that for the first time over a billion people used Facebook on a single day. That shows how much of an urge people have for friendship these days. Why so? Are they deprived of it otherwise? Do they lack true friends in their real life? Why is this craze for a friend whom you have never seen or met or talked to? How can we create and nurture true friendships that are not only meaningful but also joyful. Let us look at this story from The Bhagavatam and see if we can take a cue or two from it to be and remain a good friend.
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True friendship knows no boundaries
As per Bhagavata Purana, Kuchela was a childhood friend of Lord Krishna. They went to the same ashram of sage Sandipan for their studies. While Kuchela hailed from a poor brahmin family, Krishna belonged to a royal family. However they became good friends and shared mutual respect while they studied and played at the ashram.
As years passed by, Krishna became the king of Dwaraka, while Kuchela remained a poor brahmin. He got married and stayed in the village itself. When he was unable to feed his wife and children due to his poverty, his wife advised him to go and meet his old friend Krishna and seek his help.
Having had very little in their home, Kuchela's wife gave him a small bag of beaten rice and asked him to carry it as a gift to Krishna. Seeing his worn-out clothes and poor stature, the gatekeepers at Krishna's palace did not allow him go inside. However, when Krishna came to know about it, he rushed to the gate and took him inside the palace and treated him with utmost respect. As Kuchela was hesitant to give the bag of beaten rice that he brought with him, Krishna himself took the liberty of taking it from his friend's hand and ate every grain of it with a lot of joy.
Kuchlea felt very happy for the way his friend Krishna received him and treated him but at the same time very uneasy to express about his poverty to Krishna and left the palace empty handed. However, when he returned home, he was very happy to see his hut turned into a mansion and his household filled with all the provisions needed for a comfortable living.
As years passed by, Krishna became the king of Dwaraka, while Kuchela remained a poor brahmin. He got married and stayed in the village itself. When he was unable to feed his wife and children due to his poverty, his wife advised him to go and meet his old friend Krishna and seek his help.
Having had very little in their home, Kuchela's wife gave him a small bag of beaten rice and asked him to carry it as a gift to Krishna. Seeing his worn-out clothes and poor stature, the gatekeepers at Krishna's palace did not allow him go inside. However, when Krishna came to know about it, he rushed to the gate and took him inside the palace and treated him with utmost respect. As Kuchela was hesitant to give the bag of beaten rice that he brought with him, Krishna himself took the liberty of taking it from his friend's hand and ate every grain of it with a lot of joy.
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What a friendship between Krishna and Kuchela! No sign of any ego at all! Only mutual respect for each other! No barriers of caste or creed, state or status, religion or richness, community or culture, nation or a name!! Only pure love for each other! Let ego NOT break the bonds of friendship. Break-free from the self-limiting domestic barriers. You will enjoy the beauty and joy of true friendship.
To your continued SUCCESS,
With love,
Siva
PS: Please do post your comments on this post at the comments section below.
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