As boys, Krishna and Sudama studied together at the hermitage of Sage Sandipani and were deep friends. Stories of the two caught in the rain while gathering firewood in the forest are also famous.
Time passed. Krishna became the king of Dwarka while Sudama lived in poverty. One day his wife Susheela said, “Your friend Krishna is the lord of Dwarka. Go and tell him of your condition.”
Sudama hesitated, but went at his wife’s urging. He had nothing at home to take as a gift, only a little flattened rice (poha), which he tied in a torn cloth.
At the gate of Dwarka, the moment he heard Sudama’s name, Shri Krishna ran out barefoot and embraced his friend. He washed Sudama’s feet with his own hands and seated him on the throne. Queen Rukmini was astonished to see it.
Krishna asked his friend what his sister-in-law had sent for him. Sudama shyly tried to hide the bundle of poha, but Krishna pulled it away and lovingly ate a handful.
Sudama did not ask for anything and returned home. In the story, when he reached home, a beautiful mansion stood in place of his hut and everyone was happy. Sudama understood that his friend had removed all his worries without being asked.