Shloka 4
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
Indeed, he passed forty-eight days fasting without food or water. Then one morning he received some water and dishes such as payasa prepared with milk and ghee. Just as he and his family were about to eat,
FAQs
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.