26. aval poriyai IndhEnO kusElaraip pOlE

Sri Krishna learned all the arts from the rishi Santhipini. His fellow student at that time was Sudama who was also known as Kushela. Kushela was a very poor brahmin. He had great knowledge and knew the truth about Krishna. As such he had great love for Him.

After the end of their studies, Kushela went back home and married Suseelai and lived with her. He continued to be poor and survived on alms.

One time Suseelai approached Kushela and told him "Your childhood friend Krishna is now king and ruling Dvaraka. Go see Him. He will help us get rid of our poverty". Kushela did not want to ask Krishna for anything but he agreed to go to Him, because it would be an opportunity to meet Him again. He did not want to go empty handed though. So, Suseelai borrowed some aval (fluffed rice?) from her friends and gave it to Kushela. With this small offering, Kushela left to see Krishna.

Krishna received him with great honor and happiness at His palace. He sat him in His own seat and had Rukmini fan him. He then talked about the old days with Kushela. Then, He asked Kushela what he had brought for Him to eat. Kushela was ashamed to give Him the small amount of aval that he had brought. Krishna would not leave him though and forced him to give the aval to Him. With great pleasure and claiming that it was more dear to Him than the butter in Gokulam, He ate a handful of the aval. As soon as He did that, His full grace had fallen on Kushela. It is said that Rukmini stopped Him from eating any more of the aval.

Kushela spent the night there at the palace and left the next day without asking Krishna for anything. However, on his return to his home, he found that his hut had become a great house and that his family had received great wealth. He continued to live a simple life while praising His greatness.

Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I take aval with great affection to the Lord like Kushela did?"