Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 5
Rantideva’s Supreme Charity and the Hastī Lineage
Hastināpura and Pañcāla Origins
वियद्वित्तस्य ददतो लब्धं लब्धं बुभुक्षत: । निष्किञ्चनस्य धीरस्य सकुटुम्बस्य सीदत: ॥ ३ ॥ व्यतीयुरष्टचत्वारिंशदहान्यपिबत: किल । घृतपायससंयावं तोयं प्रातरुपस्थितम् ॥ ४ ॥ कृच्छ्रप्राप्तकुटुम्बस्य क्षुत्तृड्भ्यां जातवेपथो: । अतिथिर्ब्राह्मण: काले भोक्तुकामस्य चागमत् ॥ ५ ॥
viyad-vittasya dadato labdhaṁ labdhaṁ bubhukṣataḥ niṣkiñcanasya dhīrasya sakuṭumbasya sīdataḥ
Au moment de manger cette nourriture obtenue au prix de tant d’efforts, tandis que Rantideva et les siens frissonnaient de faim et de soif, un hôte brāhmane arriva à point nommé.
FAQs
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.
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.
Live simply, share consistently within your capacity, and cultivate a mindset that resources are meant for service—not ego or hoarding.