Shri Hari tells the merits of being helpful to others - The story of Rantidev.
Shri Hari tells the merits of being helpful to others - The story of Rantidev.
Suvrat said:-
Thereafter, Shri Hari having concluded sacrificial rites in an appropriate manner, propitiated hordes of Brahmins as part of the rituals. He then occupied his seat on an elevated throne in the assembly, and the devotees sat in rapt attention. 1.
Seated at hand facing Him were many recluses. Beyond them were other men of different ranks, while the women, who kept their distance from the men, sat separately to one side, devotedly. 2.
His glance that passed over all those devotees seated around brought glee to their eyes. Endowed with excellence and contented in mind, Narayan Muni regaled them with His sweet words thus: 3.
‘O devotees, listen to my words which are beneficial to all of you. There is nothing more meritorious than doing good to others. 4.
‘Even the insects and flies feed and fill their own bellies, and live. But it is very rare to find helpful men in this world. 5.
One who can do good to others by forbearing trouble himself, can achieve his own good for sure. 6.
Even after seeing others in distress, if one who does not put in his best efforts to relieve it, he shall be considered a merciless beast. 7.
The glory of the real meritorious one, named Rantidev of unblemished fame, is still hailed for his kindness. 8.
Suvrat said:-
All the devotees, having heard the words of the master of devotees saluted Him. He who was profusely compassionate said
to them. 9.
Devotees spoke - O Lord we all wish to hear the story of the ever kind and generous king Rantidev. 10.
Shri Narayan Muni said:-
There was a learned king by the name Samkrti, born into lunar dynasty, and born to him was Rantidev. 11.
Rantidev endowed with all the noble characteristics, was intelligent, pure and merciful, held the reigns of his kingdom after his father and administered it according to the Law. 12.
The king being helpful and generous on account of sacrifice, profusely donated all of his wealth to the Brahmins. 13.
Whatever little he used to get like clothes, utensils and money, he used to give away those to Brahmins immediately. 14.
A man of fortitude, Rantidev owned nothing and he depended on chance for his livelihood though he was a family man. 15.
He used to accept whatever tender or coarse food and water little or ample available by chance. 16.
Living thus, he once went without food or water for forty eight days, by will of the Lord. 17.
On the forty ninth day, a Brahmin happened to give him some cooked food and water which the king kindly accepted. 18.
Having divided the food among his kith and kin, he was about eat his share when a Brahmin guest approached the king seeking some food. 19.
The king gave some food to the Brahmin with all the devotion, since he saw Shri Shri Hari everywhere. No sooner had the Brahmin ate it and left than another guest arrived. 20.
The king reminiscing Shri Hari, gave some food to that Sudra, humbly and with all kindness. 21.
When the Sudra had gone, another guest arrived, surrounded by a number of dogs, his stomach looked starved and he thus pleaded with the king: 22.
O king, ‘Please give us food; I and my dogs are starving.’ The king with all friendliness at heart felt pleased. 23.
Hence, whatever share of food remained, he gave everything with all humbleness. Giving food thus to the owner of dogs, he saluted him with a sense of Shri Hari’s presence everywhere. 24.
When the king was about to drink the water, which was all that remained and sufficient to satiate just one man, there came a Chandal (outcaste). 25.
He said to the king, ‘O king, give me, an unclean creature, some water to drink’. Hearing the words of that destitute, the king looked at him. 26.
Then the noble king, compassionate by birth, though himself being thirsty, gave water to him with a sense of Shri Hari in mind, and uttered nectarine words. 27.
‘I do not wish from the Lord, the Supreme incarnate attended with the eight super-natural attributes, freedom from birth and death. I pray that I might, by dwelling in them, be able to take upon myself the sufferings of all creatures so that they are freed from misery. 28.
‘I have shed the fatigue from hunger, thirst, weakness, distress, languor, grief, despondency and delusion by giving water to a poor creature that clinged to life.’ 29.
Saying thus the heroic king, to whom compassion was innate, gave away the water to that outcaste though he was himself dying from thirst. 30.
There, the Lords of the three worlds, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar revealed themselves to Him pleased by his limitless generosity. 31.
He who had shed all attachments and was free from all desires and who had dedicated his mind wholly to Vasudev had made his obeisance to them and asked nothing from them. 32.
O devotees, the ever kind and compassionate king’s Maya – worldly illusion – constituted of the three Gunas dissipated like a
dream. 33.
All who followed in Rantidev’s footsteps became Yogis devoted to Narayan by virtue of their close association with him. 34.
Thus that Rajarshi (Royal-sage) became meritoriously famous on this earth. He with his firm devotion became renowned for his favorableness. 35
Hence O devotees, all of you even though it may be pains- taking, should help others happy in your capacities always. 36.
Suvrat said:-
Hearing and taking in the nectarine words of the Lord, by heart, all the devotees were overwhelmed and paid obeisance unto Him. 37.
Giving permission to devotees to go to their respective towns or places, the ascetic-lord returned to His place. Even the devotee Khatwang was ecstatic, and thought of himself to have attained fulfillment of his desires. 38.
Thus ends the twenty ninth chapter entitled ‘The narration of virtue of being helpful to others through the episode of King Rantidev’ in the second Prakarana of Satsangijivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as ‘Dharmashastra’ (the rules of the code of conduct). 29
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