In a folktale from Odisha, the divine sage Narada once arrived in Dvaraka and asked for Krishna to be given to him as alms. Krishna’s eight queens, taken aback, requested Narada to take anything else instead. Narada then asked for wealth equal to Krishna’s weight. They agreed and arranged for a big scale, known as Tulabharam.
Satyabhama, one of Krishna’s queens, confidently put all her coins, gems, and jewelry on the scale, but it did not budge. The other wives added their jewels, yet the scale remained unmoved. They were puzzled and worried, unable to match Krishna’s weight.
At last, Rukmini, another of Krishna’s queens, stepped forward. She placed a single Tulasi leaf on the scale and chanted that it represented her love for Krishna. Miraculously, the scales balanced perfectly. The simple Tulasi leaf, symbolizing pure devotion and love, outweighed all the material wealth.
Though absent from the main scriptures about Krishna’s life, this story is cherished for its profound message. It illustrates the immense worth of true love and devotion over material wealth. Rukmini’s pure love for Krishna surpassed the opulence of Satyabhama and the other queens.
This folktale beautifully enunciates that in the eyes of the divine, sincere love and devotion hold more value than all the riches in the world. The story of the Tulabharam serves as a reminder that true wealth lies in the purity of the heart and the strength of one’s devotion.