Shloka 17
Āśrama-dharma and Brahmacarya: Śuka’s Inquiry on Karma and Tyāga (शुक-प्रश्नः कर्मत्यागविवेकश्च)
रन्तिदेवश्व सांकृत्यो वसिष्ठाय महात्मने । अप: प्रदाय शीतोष्णा नाकपृछ्ठे महीयते,संकृतिके पुत्र राजा रन्तिदेवने महात्मा वसिष्ठको शीतोष्ण जल प्रदान किया था, जिससे वे स्वर्गलोकमें प्रतिष्ठित हैं
Rantidevaś ca Sāṅkṛtyo Vasiṣṭhāya mahātmane | apaḥ pradāya śītoṣṇā nākapṛṣṭhe mahīyate ||
Dijo Vyāsa: El rey Rantideva, hijo de Saṅkṛti, alcanzó gran honra en el mundo celestial porque ofreció agua—fría o tibia—al magnánimo sabio Vasiṣṭha. Este verso proclama el poder moral de un servicio sencillo y oportuno al digno: aun un don ordinario, cuando se entrega con reverencia y compasión, se vuelve causa de mérito perdurable.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
That dharma is upheld through compassionate service and generosity: even a simple gift like water, offered respectfully to a worthy person and suited to their need (cold or warm), yields great spiritual merit and honor.
Vyāsa cites Rantideva as an example: by giving water (of appropriate temperature) to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Rantideva gains renown and exalted status in heaven, illustrating the fruit of righteous giving.