Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 14

Rantideva’s Supreme Charity and the Hastī Lineage

Hastināpura and Pañcāla Origins

Devanagari script

इति प्रभाष्य पानीयं म्रियमाण: पिपासया । पुल्कसायाददाद्धीरो निसर्गकरुणो नृप: ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

iti prabhāṣya pānīyaṁ mriyamāṇaḥ pipāsayā pulkasāyādadād dhīro nisarga-karuṇo nṛpaḥ

Translation

ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞ്, സ്വഭാവതഃ കരുണാമയനും ധീരനുമായ രന്തിദേവ രാജാവ്, ദാഹംകൊണ്ട് മരണമുനയിൽ ആയിരുന്നിട്ടും, മടിയില്ലാതെ തന്റെ ജലം പുൽകസന്‍ (ചാണ്ഡാലന്‍) നൽകി.

Synonyms

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/quotative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: उक्त्यर्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• prabhāṣya: having spoken
• prabhāṣya: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra√bhāṣ (धातु) + lyap (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय)
• Form: अव्ययभाव-कृदन्त (gerund/क्त्वान्त = ल्यप्), ‘having spoken’

• pānīyam: water (drinkable)
• pānīyam: Karma (कर्म/द्वितीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pānīya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• mriyamāṇaḥ: (he) dying
• mriyamāṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Verb
• Root: mṛ (धातु) + śānac (शानच्)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि कृदन्त (present passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘dying/being about to die’

• pipāsayā: from/with thirst
• pipāsayā: Karaṇa/Hetu (करण/हेतु-तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pipāsā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• pulkasāya: to the Pulkaśa (outcaste)
• pulkasāya: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान/चतुर्थी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pulkasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• adadāt: gave
• adadāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• dhīraḥ: steadfast
• dhīraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (nṛpaḥ)

• nisarga-karuṇaḥ: naturally compassionate
• nisarga-karuṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nisarga (प्रातिपदिक) + karuṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (nisargasya karuṇaḥ = naturally compassionate)

• nṛpaḥ: the king
• nṛpaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• nṛpaḥ (the king)
• Pulkaśa (outcaste man)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about compassion to all beings?

This verse praises a king who, even while dying of thirst, gives his own water to an outcaste—showing that true dharma includes natural mercy beyond social distinctions.

Why did the king give his drinking water to a Pulkaśa?

Because he was dhīra (steadfast) and nisarga-karuṇa (innately compassionate), choosing mercy and righteousness over bodily survival.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Practice selfless help—share resources, time, or care with those in need, even when it is inconvenient—cultivating compassion as a daily spiritual discipline.