Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 13
Rantideva’s Supreme Charity and the Hastī Lineage
Hastināpura and Pañcāla Origins
क्षुत्तृट्श्रमो गात्रपरिभ्रमश्च दैन्यं क्लम: शोकविषादमोहा: । सर्वे निवृत्ता: कृपणस्य जन्तो- र्जिजीविषोर्जीवजलार्पणान्मे ॥ १३ ॥
kṣut-tṛṭ-śramo gātra-paribhramaś ca dainyaṁ klamaḥ śoka-viṣāda-mohāḥ sarve nivṛttāḥ kṛpaṇasya jantor jijīviṣor jīva-jalārpaṇān me
En offrant mon eau pour soutenir la vie de ce pauvre caṇḍāla qui lutte pour survivre, j’ai vu s’éteindre en moi la faim, la soif, la fatigue, le tremblement du corps, l’abattement, la peine, le chagrin, la morosité et l’illusion.
FAQs
It says that the speaker’s hunger, thirst, exhaustion, grief, and confusion were relieved simply by receiving water—describing how a small act of care can restore life and hope.
In the Duṣyanta–Śakuntalā narrative, he expresses how his intense distress was pacified when he was given water, highlighting gratitude and the dharmic virtue of hospitality and compassion.
It teaches that simple service—like giving water, food, or timely help—can transform someone’s suffering and is a practical expression of dharma and devotion.