Adhyaya 67

Verse 1

इस प्रकार श्रीमहाभारत द्रोणपर्वके अन्तर्गत अभिमन्युवधपर्वमें षोडशराजकीयोपाख्यानविषयक छाछठवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ ॥/ ६६ ॥। ऑपन- मा बछ। अफ->-जआकऋ्ाज - एक विद्वान व्याख्याकारने ऐसे स्थलोंमें योजनका अर्थ 'बित्ता' माना है। इसके अनुसार वह वेदी १८ हाथ लंबी १५ हाथ चौड़ी और १२ हाथ ऊँची थी। सप्तषष्टितमो< ध्याय: राजा रन्तिदेवकी महत्ता नारद उवाच सांकृतिं रन्तिदेवं च मृतं सृज्जय शुश्रुम । यस्य द्विशतसाहस्रा आसन्‌ सूदा महात्मन:,नारदजी कहते हैं--सूंजय! सुना है कि संकृतिके पुत्र रन्तिदेव भी जीवित नहीं रह सके। उन महामना नरेशके यहाँ दो लाख रसोइये थे, जो घरपर आये हुए ब्राह्मण अतिथियोंको अमृतके समान मधुर कच्चा-पक्का उत्तम अन्न दिन-रात परोसते रहते थे

Narada said: “O Sṛñjaya, we have heard that even Rantideva, the son of Sāṅkṛti, has passed away. That great-souled king had two hundred thousand cooks, who day and night served visiting Brahmin guests and other atithis with excellent food—both uncooked and cooked—sweet as nectar.”

Verse 2

गृहानभ्यागतान्‌ विप्रानतिथीन्‌ परिवेषका: । पक्‍्वापक्वं दिवारात्र॑ वरान्नममृतोपमम्‌,नारदजी कहते हैं--सूंजय! सुना है कि संकृतिके पुत्र रन्तिदेव भी जीवित नहीं रह सके। उन महामना नरेशके यहाँ दो लाख रसोइये थे, जो घरपर आये हुए ब्राह्मण अतिथियोंको अमृतके समान मधुर कच्चा-पक्का उत्तम अन्न दिन-रात परोसते रहते थे

Narada said: “Those who came to his house—Brahmin guests and other atithis—were continually served by attendants. Day and night they offered excellent food, both cooked and uncooked, sweet and choice, like nectar itself.”

Verse 3

न्यायेनाधिगतं वित्तं ब्राह्मणेभ्यो हमन्यत । वेदानधीत्य धर्मेण यश्षक्रे द्विषतो वशे,उन्होंने ब्राह्मणोंको न्यायपूर्वक प्राप्त हुए धनका दान किया और चारों वेदोंका अध्ययन करके धर्मके द्वारा समस्त शत्रुओंको अपने वशमें कर लिया

Nārada said: “Having acquired wealth by just means, he offered it to the brāhmaṇas. And, after mastering the Vedas, he—through dharma—brought even hostile foes under his control.”

Verse 4

ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददन्निष्कान्‌ सौवर्णान्‌ स प्रभावत: । तुभ्यं निष्कं तुभ्यं निष्कमिति ह सम प्रभाषते,ब्राह्मणोंको सोनेके चमकीले निष्क देते हुए वे बार-बार प्रत्येक ब्राह्मणसे यही कहते थे कि यह निष्क तुम्हारे लिये है, यह निष्क तुम्हारे लिये है

Nārada said: Endowed with great splendor, he kept giving golden niṣkas to the brāhmaṇas; and again and again he addressed each one, saying, “This niṣka is for you—this niṣka is for you.”

Verse 5

तुभ्यं तुभ्यमिति प्रादान्निष्कान्‌ निष्कान्‌ सहस्रश: । ततः पुनः समाश्चास्य निष्कानेव प्रयच्छति,“तुम्हारे लिये, तुम्हारे लिये” कहकर वे हजारों निष्क दान किया करते थे। इतनेपर भी जो ब्राह्मण पाये बिना रह जाते, उन्हें पुनः आश्वासन देकर वे बहुत-से निष्क ही देते थे

Saying, “For you, for you,” he bestowed niṣkas by the thousand. Even then, any brāhmaṇas who had not received were reassured again, and he gave them many more niṣkas besides.

Verse 6

अल्पं दत्तं मयाद्येति निष्ककोटिं सहस्रश: । एकाह्वा दास्यति पुन: को<न्यस्तत्‌ सम्प्रदास्यति,राजा रन्तिदेव एक दिनमें सहस्रों कोटि निष्क दान करके भी यह खेद प्रकट किया करते थे कि आज मैंने बहुत कम दान किया; ऐसा सोचकर वे पुनः दान देते थे। भला दूसरा कौन इतना दान दे सकता है?

Though in a single day King Rantideva gave away niṣkas by the thousand koṭis, he would still lament, “Today I have given too little.” Thinking thus, he would give again. Who else could bestow so much?

Verse 7

द्विजपाणिवियोगेन दुःखं मे शाश्व॒तं महत्‌ । भविष्यति न संदेह एवं राजाददद्‌ वसु,ब्राह्मणोंके हाथका वियोग होनेपर मुझे सदा महान्‌ दु:ख होगा, इसमें संदेह नहीं है। यह विचारकर राजा रन्तिदेव बहुत धन दान करते थे

Nārada said: “If I am separated from the hands of the twice-born (the brāhmaṇas who receive gifts), a great and lasting sorrow will be mine—of this there is no doubt.” Reflecting thus, King Rantideva continually gave away wealth.

Verse 8

सहस्रशश्न सौवर्णान्‌ वृषभान्‌ गोशतानुगान्‌ | साष्टे शतं सुवर्णानां निष्कमाहुर्धन॑ तथा,सूंजय! एक हजार सुवर्णके बैल, प्रत्येकके पीछे सौ-सौ गायें और एक सौ आठ स्वर्णमुद्राएँ--इतने धनको निष्क कहते हैं

Nārada said: “A ‘niṣka’ is reckoned as wealth of this measure, O Saṁjaya: a thousand golden bulls, each followed by a hundred cows, together with one hundred and eight gold pieces. Such is the standard by which that treasure is spoken of.”

Verse 9

अध्यर्धमासमददद्‌ ब्राह्मणे भ्य: शतं समा: । अग्निहोत्रोपकरणं यज्ञोपकरणं च यत्‌,राजा रन्तिदेव प्रत्येक पक्षमें ब्राह्मणोंको (करोड़ों) निष्क दिया करते थे। इसके साथ अग्निहोत्रके उपकरण और यज्ञकी सामग्री भी होती थी। उनका यह नियम सौ वर्षोंतक चलता रहा

Nārada said: For a hundred years, King Rantideva would give to the Brahmins, every fortnight, vast gifts of niṣkas (gold ornaments/coins). Along with these he also provided the implements for the daily Agnihotra and the full requisites for sacrifice. Thus his long-standing rule of giving was sustained for a century.

Verse 10

ऋषिभ्य: करकान्‌ कुम्भान्‌ स्थाली: पिठरमेव च । शयनासनयानानि प्रासादांश्ष गृहाणि च,वे ऋषियोंको करवे, घड़े, बटलोई, पिठर, शय्या, आसन, सवारी, महल और घर, भाँति-भाँतिके वृक्ष तथा अन्न-धन दिया करते थे। बुद्धिमान्‌ रन्तिदेवकी सारी देय वस्तुएँ सुवर्णमय ही होती थीं

Nārada said: “To the seers he would give water-pots and jars, cooking vessels and storage containers; beds and seats, conveyances, and even mansions and houses.” The passage highlights Rantideva’s expansive generosity—his wealth is treated as a trust to be redistributed in service of the worthy, especially ascetics—presenting dāna as a lived form of dharma rather than mere ritual display.

Verse 11

वक्षांश्व विविधान्‌ दद्यादन्नानि च धनानि च | सर्व सौवर्णमेवासीद्‌ रन्तिदेवस्थ धीमत:,वे ऋषियोंको करवे, घड़े, बटलोई, पिठर, शय्या, आसन, सवारी, महल और घर, भाँति-भाँतिके वृक्ष तथा अन्न-धन दिया करते थे। बुद्धिमान्‌ रन्तिदेवकी सारी देय वस्तुएँ सुवर्णमय ही होती थीं

Narada said: “He would bestow garments of many kinds, as well as food and wealth. Indeed, every gift belonging to the wise Rantideva was made of gold.”

Verse 12

तत्रास्य गाथा गायन्ति ये पुराणविदो जना: । रन्तिदेवस्य तां दृष्टवा समृद्धिमतिमानुषीम्‌,राजा रन्तिदेवकी वह अलौकिक समृद्धि देखकर पुराणवेत्ता पुरुष वहाँ इस प्रकार उनकी यशोगाथा गाया करते थे

There, those people who are learned in the Purāṇas sing a traditional eulogy about him. Having beheld that extraordinary, more-than-human prosperity of King Rantideva, they celebrate his fame in song.

Verse 13

नैतादृशं दृष्टपूर्व कुबेरसदनेष्वपि । धनं च पूर्यमाणं न: कि पुनर्मनुजेष्विति

Nārada said: “Never before have we seen wealth of this kind—even in the halls of Kubera. And as for riches that keep replenishing themselves for us—how much less could such a thing be found among ordinary human beings?”

Verse 14

सांकृते रन्तिदेवस्य यां रात्रिमतिथिवसेत्‌

Nārada said: “In the sacred tradition concerning King Rantideva, there is that night during which he remained devoted to the service of a guest.”

Verse 15

तत्र सम सूदा: क्रोशन्ति सुमृष्टमणिकुण्डला:

There, the charioteers cried out loudly—adorned with well-polished jeweled earrings—raising a clamor amid the turmoil.

Verse 16

रन्तिदेवस्य यत्‌ किंचित्‌ सौवर्णमभवत्‌ तदा

Nārada said: “At that time, whatever gold there was belonging to Rantideva…”

Verse 17

प्रत्यक्ष तस्य हव्यानि प्रतिगृह्नन्ति देवता:

Nārada said: “For him, the gods themselves visibly accept the sacrificial offerings.”

Verse 18

कव्यानि पितर: काले सर्वकामान्‌ द्विजोत्तमा: । उनके यज्ञमें देवता और पितर प्रत्यक्ष दर्शन देकर यथासमय हव्य और कव्य ग्रहण करते थे तथा श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मण वहाँ सम्पूर्ण मनोवांछित पदार्थोंको पाते थे ।। स चेन्ममार सृज्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया,वैत्य सृंजय! वे रन्तिदेव चारों कल्याणमय गुणोंमें तुमसे बहुत बढ़े-चढ़े थे और तुम्हारे पुत्रकी अपेक्षा बहुत अधिक पुण्यात्मा थे। जब वे भी मर गये, तब दूसरोंकी क्‍या बात है। अतः तुम यज्ञ और दान-दक्षिणासे रहित अपने पुत्रके लिये शोक न करो। ऐसा नारदजीने कहा

Narada said: “In due season the offerings meant for the Fathers (kavya) were duly presented, and the best of Brahmins obtained every desired object. In those sacrifices the gods and the ancestral Fathers would appear in person and, at the proper time, accept the havya and kavya offerings. Yet even such men—like the renowned Rantideva—who surpassed you in every auspicious quality and were far more meritorious than your son, have also died. If they too have passed away, what need be said of others? Therefore, do not grieve for your son—especially when his life was not supported by sacrifice, charity, and due priestly gifts (dakṣiṇā).”

Verse 19

पुत्रात्‌ पुण्यतरस्तुभ्यं मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथा: । अयज्वानमदाक्षिण्यमश्रि श्रैत्येत्युदाहरत्‌,वैत्य सृंजय! वे रन्तिदेव चारों कल्याणमय गुणोंमें तुमसे बहुत बढ़े-चढ़े थे और तुम्हारे पुत्रकी अपेक्षा बहुत अधिक पुण्यात्मा थे। जब वे भी मर गये, तब दूसरोंकी क्‍या बात है। अतः तुम यज्ञ और दान-दक्षिणासे रहित अपने पुत्रके लिये शोक न करो। ऐसा नारदजीने कहा

Narada said: “Do not grieve for your son. There have been men far more virtuous than you—indeed, more meritorious than your son—endowed with auspicious qualities, such as Rantideva; yet even they have died. If such exemplary persons pass away, what need is there to speak of others? Therefore, do not lament for your son, who was without sacrifice and without gifts and priestly fees.”

Verse 67

इति श्रीमहा भारते द्रोणपर्वणि अभिमन्युवधपर्वणि षोडशराजकीये सप्तषष्टितमो5ध्याय:

Thus ends the sixty-seventh chapter of the Abhimanyu-slaying section within the Droṇa Parva of the revered Mahābhārata, in the sub-division concerning the sixteen kings. This is a colophon marking the close of the chapter and situating the narrative within its larger ethical and historical frame: the tragic killing of Abhimanyu amid the escalating breakdown of warrior codes in the Kurukṣetra war.

Verse 136

हमने कुबेरके भवनमें भी पहले कभी ऐसा (रन्तिदेवके समान) भरा-पूरा धनका भंडार नहीं देखा है; फिर मनुष्योंके यहाँ तो हो ही कैसे सकता है? ।। व्यक्त वस्वोकसारेयमित्यूचुस्तत्र विस्मिता: । वास्तवमें रन्तिदेवकी समृद्धिका सारतत्त्व उनका सुवर्णमय राजभवन और स्वर्णराशि ही है। इस प्रकार विस्मित होकर लोग उस गाथाका गान करने लगे

Nārada said: “Never before have we seen—even in Kubera’s own palace—a treasury so full as this, like that of Rantideva; how then could such abundance exist among men?” Astonished, the onlookers declared, “This is plainly the very essence of wealth and splendor.” In truth, the visible ‘core’ of Rantideva’s prosperity was his golden royal residence and heaps of gold. Thus amazed, people began to sing that celebratory verse about him.

Verse 146

आलकभ्यन्त तदा गाव: सहसत्राण्येकविंशति: । संकृतिपुत्र रन्तिदेवके यहाँ जिस रातमें अतिथियोंका समुदाय निवास करता था, उस समय वहाँ इकक्‍्कीस हजार गौएँ छूकर दान की जाती थीं

Nārada said: “At that time, in the house of Rantideva, the son of Saṅkṛti—on whatever night a multitude of guests stayed there—twenty-one thousand cows were touched and then given away in charity.”

Verse 153

सूप॑ं भूयिष्ठमश्री ध्वं नाद्य मासं यथा पुरा । वहाँ विशुद्ध मणिमय कुण्डल धारण किये रसोइये पुकार-पुकारकर कहते थे, आपलोग खूब दाल और कढ़ी खाइये। यह आज जैसी स्वादिष्ट बनी है, वैसी पहले एक महीनेतक नहीं बनी थी

Narada said: “Eat plentifully of the soup; do not hold back. Such a delicious preparation as this has not been made for a whole month, as it used to be before.”

Verse 163

तत्‌ सर्व वितते यज्ञे ब्राह्मणे भ्यो हरमन्यत । उन दिनों राजा रन्तिदेवके पास जो कुछ भी सुवर्णमयी सामग्री थी, वह सब उन्होंने उस विस्तृत यज्ञमें ब्राह्मणोंको बाँट दी

Nārada said: As that expansive sacrifice was being performed, King Rantideva distributed to the brāhmaṇas all the gold and precious sacrificial wealth he possessed, choosing generosity and dharma over keeping it for himself.