Shloka 97

Adhyāya 90: Babhruvāhana’s Reception and the Commencement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Aśvamedha

Devanagari script

रन्तिदेवो हि नृपतिरप: प्रादादकिंचन:

Transliteration

rantidevo hi nṛpatir apaḥ prādād akiñcanaḥ

Translation

For King Rantideva, though possessing nothing for himself, gave away even water—showing that true kingship and righteousness lie in selfless generosity, especially toward those in need.

Word by Word

• रन्तिदेवः: Rantideva
• रन्तिदेवः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: रन्तिदेव
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• हि: indeed/for
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि

• नृपतिः: king
• नृपतिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृपति
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• अपः: waters (water)
• अपः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप्
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Plural

• प्रादात्: gave
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा
• Form: Aorist (simple past), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• अकिञ्चनः: having nothing; destitute (yet generous)
• अकिञ्चनः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अकिञ्चन
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

श्षशुर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Rantideva

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse upholds dāna as a central form of dharma: even when one has almost nothing, giving what sustains life (like water) for the sake of others is presented as exemplary righteousness and compassion.

What is happening in the narrative?

The speaker cites King Rantideva as an illustrative precedent: despite being akiñcana (without personal possessions), he still gave away water, emphasizing an ideal of selfless generosity.