Devanagari
सोऽपि वव्रेऽचलां भक्तिं तस्मिन्नेवाखिलात्मनि ।
तद्भक्तेषु च सौहार्दं भूतेषु च दयां पराम् ॥ ५१ ॥
Verse text
so ’pi vavre ’calāṁ bhaktiṁ
tasminn evākhilātmani
tad-bhakteṣu ca sauhārdaṁ
bhūteṣu ca dayāṁ parām
Synonyms
saḥ
—
he
;
api
—
and
;
vavre
—
chose
;
acalām
—
unshakable
;
bhaktim
—
devotion
;
tasmin
—
to Him
;
eva
—
alone
;
akhila
—
of everything
;
ātmani
—
the Supreme Soul
;
tat
—
toward His
;
bhakteṣu
—
devotees
;
ca
—
and
;
sauhārdam
—
friendship
;
bhūteṣu
—
toward living beings in general
;
ca
—
and
;
dayām
—
mercy
;
parām
—
transcendental .
Translation
Sudāmā chose unshakable devotion for Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Soul of all existence; friendship with His devotees; and transcendental compassion for all living beings.
Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
Sudāmā chose unshakable devotion for Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Soul of all existence; friendship with His devotees; and transcendental compassion for all living beings.
KB 10.41.51
When the florist was offered benedictions, he begged from the Lord that he might remain His eternal servant in devotional service and by such service do good to all living creatures. By this, it is clear that a devotee of the Lord in Kṛṣṇa consciousness should not be satisfied simply by his own advancement in devotional service; he must be willing to work for the welfare of all others. This example was followed by the Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana. It is therefore stated in a prayer about them, lokānāṁ hita-kāriṇau: Vaiṣṇavas, or devotees of the Lord, are not selfish. Whatever benefits they derive from the Supreme Personality of Godhead as benedictions they want to distribute to all other persons. That is the greatest of all humanitarian activities.
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
What were his boons? Did the devoted Sudāmā ask for boons or not? He asked for devotion to Kṛṣṇa. Why did he not pray for devotion to Balarāma? Kṛṣṇa was the aṁśī, the root form of all forms like Balarāma (akhilātmani). By bhakti to Kṛṣṇa, by this ultimate goal, bhakti to Balarāma was achieved. Previously Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa were described together. But Balarāma as his elder brother is one with him in the pastimes evoking reverence. One entity, suitable for sheltering the highest powers, appears as two forms. This device is a form of praise of Kṛṣṇa. Sudāmā prayed for unconditional mercy for all beings. The first ca means “but.”The second ca means “all.” (He is most merciful to all beings, but he is friends with his devotees.)
Purport (Sanatana Goswami)
Though the two offered boons, Sudāmā prayed to Kṛṣṇa with devotion. The word api indicates that this was his desire among his many desires. He wanted bhakti to Kṛṣṇa only. “At this time, he had praised and worshipped Baladeva as well as Kṛṣṇa. Why did he not ask for devotion to Balarāma?” Kṛṣṇa is spread as avatāra in Balarāma (ātmani) and others or is dear to them all. By bhakti to Kṛṣṇa, bhakti to Balarāma is accomplished. Or Kṛṣṇa is the lord of the universe (akhilātmani). By prayers to Kṛṣna, everything is accomplished since he is non-different from Balarāma. Doing otherwise would be inappropriate. Balarāma is included among the devotees. Previously they were both praised to please Kṛṣṇa. The word eva indicates exclusive devotion to Kṛṣṇa. Sudāmā prayed for unconditional mercy for all beings. The first ca means “but.” The second ca means “all.” (He is most merciful to all beings, but he is the friend of the devotee.)