Rantideva’s Supreme Charity and the Hastī Lineage
Hastināpura and Pañcāla Origins
वियद्वित्तस्य ददतो लब्धं लब्धं बुभुक्षत: । निष्किञ्चनस्य धीरस्य सकुटुम्बस्य सीदत: ॥ ३ ॥ व्यतीयुरष्टचत्वारिंशदहान्यपिबत: किल । घृतपायससंयावं तोयं प्रातरुपस्थितम् ॥ ४ ॥ कृच्छ्रप्राप्तकुटुम्बस्य क्षुत्तृड्भ्यां जातवेपथो: । अतिथिर्ब्राह्मण: काले भोक्तुकामस्य चागमत् ॥ ५ ॥
viyad-vittasya dadato labdhaṁ labdhaṁ bubhukṣataḥ niṣkiñcanasya dhīrasya sakuṭumbasya sīdataḥ
Tatsächlich verbrachte er achtundvierzig Tage im Fasten, ohne zu essen oder zu trinken. Dann erhielt er eines Morgens Wasser und Speisen wie Payasa, zubereitet mit Milch und Ghee. Als er nun mit seiner Familie essen wollte,
This verse praises the niṣkiñcana, steady-hearted person who gives away whatever comes, even while personally hungry—showing charity rooted in dharma rather than surplus.
A sober, non-possessive person (often understood in the narrative as a saintly brāhmaṇa) who has no attachment to wealth and remains charitable despite family hardship.
Live with simplicity, avoid hoarding, and practice purposeful giving—sharing whatever you can without ego, trusting dharma and the Lord’s arrangement.