Maternal love prompted Kuchela's wife to send her husband to the Lord so that her children would not suffer from hunger. She believed in the Lord with all her soul. Kuchela hesitated and said that Krishna might not recognize him, not remember him and not invite him to Himself, but she convinced him to leave all doubts and reach at least the gates of Krishna’s palace. She was sure that Krishna would accept him if he made even a little effort.
Since it was decided that Kuchela would go after all, she took a handful of paddy (unhusked rice) that she had hidden for a rainy day, put it in boiling water, took it out, dried it, and then, frying it over the fire, crushed it in a mortar and prepared rice cakes from it, which, according to Kuchela, was Krishna’s favorite dish during his school years. The food was tied into the hem of Kuchela’s clothes, and he set off, feeling that his fear was growing with every step. A true bhakta (devotee of God) does not experience such fear: he comes to God by right and accepts His mercy as deserved.
Of course, God showers His mercy on artha and on artartha, and also on the jijdnyasi (the aspirant to wisdom) and the jnani (the wise). Artha (immersed in worldly pleasures) is a sick and suffering person, arthartha is a person beaten down by poverty and seeking prosperity and good luck. Therefore, Krishna received Kuchela with joy, reminded him of the happy school days spent together at the feet of the guru, and when he saw that Kuchela was awkwardly hiding his modest gift tied in the corner of his shabby clothes, Krishna took it out from there and began to eat the cakes with great pleasure. Bhakti made them very tasty to God.
Legend has it that Rukmini Devi held His hand. The real reason is that she counted on her share in the offering of the devoted heart; she wanted to get her portion - and she had the right to it.
Kuchela left Dwaraka disappointed. He received no reward or even a promise of any help. He felt very sad when he remembered his family and the starving children. He was so immersed in sorrowful thoughts that he even walked past his hut, not noticing how it had transformed overnight, becoming a huge rich house! His wife called him and told him how quickly happiness came to them thanks to the mercy of the Lord.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru