Shloka 5

Rantideva’s Supreme Charity and the Hastī Lineage

Hastināpura and Pañcāla Origins

Devanagari script

वियद्वित्तस्य ददतो लब्धं लब्धं बुभुक्षत: । निष्किञ्चनस्य धीरस्य सकुटुम्बस्य सीदत: ॥ ३ ॥ व्यतीयुरष्टचत्वारिंशदहान्यपिबत: किल । घृतपायससंयावं तोयं प्रातरुपस्थितम् ॥ ४ ॥ कृच्छ्रप्राप्तकुटुम्बस्य क्षुत्तृड्भ्यां जातवेपथो: । अतिथिर्ब्राह्मण: काले भोक्तुकामस्य चागमत् ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

viyad-vittasya dadato labdhaṁ labdhaṁ bubhukṣataḥ niṣkiñcanasya dhīrasya sakuṭumbasya sīdataḥ

Translation

At that very time, when Rantideva and his family—trembling from hunger and thirst—were about to eat the hard-won meal, a brāhmaṇa guest arrived.

Synonyms

• kṛcchra-prāpta-kuṭumbasya: of one whose family had fallen into hardship
• kṛcchra-prāpta-kuṭumbasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛcchra (प्रातिपदिक) + prāpta (कृदन्त; √āp धातु) + kuṭumba (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th), Ekavacana; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: ‘कृच्छ्रेण प्राप्तं कुटुम्बं यस्य’ (family reached hardship)

• kṣut-tṛḍbhyām: by hunger and thirst
• kṣut-tṛḍbhyām: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣut (प्रातिपदिक) + tṛḍ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Itaretara-dvandva (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व) ‘hunger and thirst’; Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Dvivacana

• jāta-vepathoḥ: of (him) whose trembling had arisen
• jāta-vepathoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jāta (कृदन्त; √jan धातु) + vepathu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th), Ekavacana; तत्पुरुष: ‘जातः वेपथुः यस्य’ (trembling arisen)

• atithiḥ: a guest
• atithiḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: atithi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana

• brāhmaṇaḥ: a brāhmaṇa
• brāhmaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; apposition to ‘atithiḥ’

• kāle: at the proper time
• kāle: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Saptamī (7th/सप्तमी), Ekavacana

• bhoktukāmasya: of (him) wishing to eat
• bhoktukāmasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhoktu (तुमुनन्त; √bhuj धातु) + kāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th), Ekavacana; उपपद-तत्पुरुष: ‘भोक्तुं कामः यस्य’ (desiring to eat)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-nipāta (समुच्चय/and)

• āgamat: came/arrived
• āgamat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + gam (धातु)
• Form: Luṅ (लुङ्, Aorist), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana

Characters & Entities

• Rantideva

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about charity even in poverty?

This verse shows that a saintly devotee like Rantideva gives whatever comes to him, even when he is hungry, demonstrating selfless compassion and reliance on the Lord.

Why is Rantideva described as niṣkiñcana (without possessions)?

He is called niṣkiñcana because he had no sense of ownership or desire for enjoyment; whatever he received he treated as meant for service and giving.

Practical application of detachment and generosity in modern life?

Live simply, share consistently within your capacity, and cultivate a mindset that resources are meant for service—not ego or hoarding.