Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 3

Rantideva’s Supreme Charity and the Hastī Lineage

Hastināpura and Pañcāla Origins

Devanagari script

वियद्वित्तस्य ददतो लब्धं लब्धं बुभुक्षत: । निष्किञ्चनस्य धीरस्य सकुटुम्बस्य सीदत: ॥ ३ ॥ व्यतीयुरष्टचत्वारिंशदहान्यपिबत: किल । घृतपायससंयावं तोयं प्रातरुपस्थितम् ॥ ४ ॥ कृच्छ्रप्राप्तकुटुम्बस्य क्षुत्तृड्भ्यां जातवेपथो: । अतिथिर्ब्राह्मण: काले भोक्तुकामस्य चागमत् ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

viyad-vittasya dadato labdhaṁ labdhaṁ bubhukṣataḥ niṣkiñcanasya dhīrasya sakuṭumbasya sīdataḥ

Translation

Rantideva jamais se empenhou em ganhar riquezas. Vivia do que a Providência lhe concedia, mas quando chegavam hóspedes, entregava tudo. Assim, ele e sua família sofreram muito; embora tremessem por falta de alimento e água, ele permanecia sóbrio e firme.

Synonyms

• viyat-vittasya: of one whose wealth was like the sky (i.e., nonexistent)
• viyat-vittasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viyat (प्रातिपदिक) + vitta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th/षष्ठी), Ekavacana; तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष): ‘वियत्-वत् वित्तम्’ = ‘आकाशवत्/अदृश्यवत् वित्तम्’

• dadato: of (him) giving
• dadato: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (धाातु)
• Form: Śatṛ-pratyaya (शतृ), Vartamāna-kṛdanta (present active participle), Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th), Ekavacana; ‘ददत्’ → ‘ददतः’ (gen.)

• labdham: what was obtained
• labdham: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: labdha (कृदन्त; √labh धातु)
• Form: Kta-pratyaya (क्त), Bhūta-kṛdanta (past passive participle) used substantively; Napuṁsaka, Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana

• labdham: whatever was obtained (each time)
• labdham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: labdha (कृदन्त; √labh धातु)
• Form: Same as previous; repetition for distributive sense (यथालाभम्)

• bubhukṣataḥ: of the hungry one
• bubhukṣataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bubhukṣ (प्रातिपदिक; desiderative noun from √bhuj)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th/षष्ठी), Ekavacana; present participial adjective sense ‘hungry/desiring to eat’

• niṣkiñcanasya: of the one who had nothing
• niṣkiñcanasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niṣkiñcana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th), Ekavacana

• dhīrasya: of the steadfast/calm one
• dhīrasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th), Ekavacana

• sa-kuṭumbasya: of (him) with his family
• sa-kuṭumbasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थक) + kuṭumba (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th), Ekavacana; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (सह-भाव): ‘कुटुम्बेन सह’ = ‘with family’

• sīdataḥ: of (him) sinking/declining (in condition)
• sīdataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sad (धातु)
• Form: Śatṛ-pratyaya (शतृ), Vartamāna-kṛdanta; Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th), Ekavacana; √sad ‘to sink/decline’ → ‘सीदत्’

Characters & Entities

• Rantideva

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about giving charity even in poverty?

This verse highlights the ideal of selfless giving: Rantideva, though hungry and materially destitute, would donate whatever food he obtained, showing charity rooted in detachment and devotion.

Why is Rantideva described as niṣkiñcana (without possessions) and dhīra (sober)?

Because he did not identify with ownership and remained steady-minded even amid hunger and hardship, continuing to serve others without selfish motive.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Practice mindful generosity—share time, food, or resources according to capacity—while reducing possessiveness and keeping service to others as a devotional principle.