Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 10

Rantideva’s Supreme Charity and the Hastī Lineage

Hastināpura and Pañcāla Origins

Devanagari script

पानीयमात्रमुच्छेषं तच्चैकपरितर्पणम् । पास्यत: पुल्कसोऽभ्यागादपो देह्यशुभाय मे ॥ १० ॥

Transliteration

pānīya-mātram uccheṣaṁ tac caika-paritarpaṇam pāsyataḥ pulkaso ’bhyāgād apo dehy aśubhāya me

Translation

Darauf blieb nur noch Trinkwasser übrig, gerade genug, um einen einzigen zu sättigen. Als der König trinken wollte, erschien ein Caṇḍāla und sagte: „O König, obwohl ich niedriger Herkunft bin, gib mir bitte Wasser.“

Synonyms

• pānīya-mātram: only water (a mere quantity of water)
• pānīya-mātram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pānīya (प्रातिपदिक) + mātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (measure/limitation); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (contextually object/that which remained)

• uccheṣam: the leftover
• uccheṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: uccheṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसक (usage varies); द्वितीया, एकवचन — ‘remainder’

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• eka-paritarpaṇam: sufficient to satisfy only one (person)
• eka-paritarpaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक) + paritarpaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (eka = only/one; qualifier); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन (qualifying tat/uccheṣam)

• pāsyataḥ: as (he) was about to drink
• pāsyataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध) — genitive relation
• Type: Verb
• Root: pā (धातु)
• Form: शतृ (śatṛ) वर्तमान कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन — ‘of (him) who was about to drink/drinking’

• pulkasaḥ: a pulkasa (outcaste)
• pulkasaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pulkasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन

• abhyāgāt: came/approached
• abhyāgāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-√gam (धातु)
• Form: लुङ् (Aorist), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• apaḥ: water
• apaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ap (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (plural tantum); द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• dehi: give
• dehi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), परस्मैपद; मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन

• aśubhāya: for (averting) misfortune/inauspiciousness
• aśubhāya: Prayojana (प्रयोजन) / Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aśubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग; चतुर्थी, एकवचन — purpose dative ‘for (removal of) inauspiciousness’

• me: for me
• me: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी एकवचन (enclitic) with dative sense; here ‘for me/to me’

Characters & Entities

• Pulkaśa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about giving water to someone in need?

This verse highlights that even when water is scarce—only enough for one—compassion and dharma are tested when a needy person asks for water.

Why did the Pulkaśa ask for water in this Bhagavatam verse?

He approached those about to drink and pleaded for water, describing himself as afflicted by misfortune—creating a moral moment centered on mercy and generosity.

How can I apply this Bhagavatam teaching in modern life?

Practice mindful charity: when resources are limited, prioritize humane help—sharing essentials, offering relief, or supporting someone distressed even when it inconveniences you.