सुदामन् , better known as कुचेल was a ब्रह्मिन् class-mate of श्री कृष्ण at the आश्रम of sage सान्दीपनि . One day सान्दीपनि 's wife deputed कुचेल and कृष्ण to collect fire-wood from the forest, and they had to stay the whole night there as they could not find out the way back to the आश्रम due to heavy rain, thunder etc. After their education was over these two thick friends left the आश्रम and went their different ways in life.

श्री कृष्ण became the lord of द्वारका , and कुचेल a house-holder with many children, and starvation gripped the family. One day, at the instance of his wife, कुचेल started for द्वारका to visit कृष्ण with a packet of rice flakes as a present to him. कृष्ण received his old classmate most cordially, and ate one handful of rice flakes from the packet brought by कुचेल . रुक्मिणी prevented him from a second helping of the flakes. After spending some time most happily with his old friend, कुचेल started homewards. Only on his way back did he think that कृष्ण had not given him any monetary help. But, by the time he reached home his old dilapidated house had converted itself into a beautiful mansion, and his wife and children were in great happiness. श्रीकृष्ण 's blessings thus converted poor कुचेल into a very rich person. (Bhāgavata, 10th Skandha)