Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 12
Rantideva’s Supreme Charity and the Hastī Lineage
Hastināpura and Pañcāla Origins
न कामयेऽहं गतिमीश्वरात् परा- मष्टर्द्धियुक्तामपुनर्भवं वा । आर्तिं प्रपद्येऽखिलदेहभाजा- मन्त:स्थितो येन भवन्त्यदु:खा: ॥ १२ ॥
na kāmaye ’haṁ gatim īśvarāt parām aṣṭarddhi-yuktām apunar-bhavaṁ vā ārtiṁ prapadye ’khila-deha-bhājām antaḥ-sthito yena bhavanty aduḥkhāḥ
Je ne prie pas le Seigneur Suprême pour les huit perfections du yoga mystique, ni pour la délivrance du cycle des naissances et des morts. Je ne désire qu’être parmi tous les êtres et porter leurs peines, afin qu’ils soient affranchis de la souffrance.
Vāsudeva Datta made a similar statement to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, requesting the Lord to liberate all living entities in His presence. Vāsudeva Datta submitted that if they were unfit to be liberated, he himself would take all their sinful reactions and suffer personally so that the Lord might deliver them. A Vaiṣṇava is therefore described as being para-duḥkha-duḥkhī, very much aggrieved by the sufferings of others. As such, a Vaiṣṇava engages in activities for the real welfare of human society.
FAQs
This verse teaches that a pure devotee does not seek heaven, mystic powers, or even liberation; instead, devotion matures into selfless love that wants only the welfare and relief of all beings through the Lord’s presence.
Because the highest bhakti expresses compassion: the devotee values others’ freedom from distress over personal gain, trusting the Lord within the heart (Paramatma) to transform suffering into relief.
Cultivate selfless service: reduce others’ distress through kindness, charity, and spiritual support, while remembering the Lord in the heart and avoiding the ego-driven pursuit of status, power, or “spiritual achievements.”