Poverty and Folly are sent by Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, to assail
Sridama, the early companion and fellow-student of Krishna, who has
become obnoxious to the goddess for his attachment to Saraswati; the
goddess of learning. They effect their purpose with Sridama, by
demanding the rites of hospitality, and being accordingly admitted into
his dwelling.
Sridama is persuaded by his wife, Vasumati, who has seen a propitious
dream, to repair to Krishna, to see if his opulent friend will restore
his broken fortunes. He takes with him a handful of rice, dried and
cleaned after boiling, as a present. He arrives at the palace of
Krishna, where he is received with great respect by the host and his two
principal wives, Rukmini and Satyabhama; the former washes his feet, the
latter wipes them, and Krishna sprinkles the remaining water upon his
own head. After recalling some of the occurrences of their juvenile
days, when they were fellow-students, Krishna leads his friend into the
garden, where they remain till towards sunset; when they are summoned to
join the queens and their attendants. Krishna indulges in frolics among
his women. The buffoonery of the Vidushaka amuses the party.
After some time spent in this manner, Sridama takes his leave, and
although dismissed with great reverence, departs as poor as he came. He
recollects this on his way back, and consoles himself with observing
that wealth intoxicates as well as wine, and that the affection of
Krishna is a thing which no one can steal from him. His disciple is not
so submissive, and reminds him that it was not to get mere civility that
he was sent on this errand by his wife.
On arrival, they find, instead of the miserable hovel of Sridama, a
splendid and extensive town, and that Sridama is in great affliction at
the disappearance of his wife, when he is seen and solicited by a
_Kanchuli_ or chamberlain, who calls himself his servant, to enter a
stately palace. Sridama, thinking this is a jest upon his poverty,
threatens to beat him if he does not depart, but the chamberlain
perseveres, and tells him that while he was absent, Krishna had
converted his cottage into a town, named after him Sridamapur, and
supplied it with every article of use or luxury. With much reluctance
and unyielding incredulity Sridama is prevailed upon to enter the
palace, where he finds his wife.
Krishna now comes to pay a visit to his friend. He arrives in his aerial
chariot, accompanied by Satyabhama and the Vidushaka. His bounties are
heartily acknowledged by the object on whom they have been bestowed.