 Rantideva is glorified
not only in human society but also in the society of the demigods (devas),
for his exemplary tolerance, compassion, and selflessness.
Rantideva never endeavored to earn anything. He would enjoy whatever
he got by the arrangement of providence, but when guests came he would
give them everything. Thus he underwent considerable suffering, along
with the members of his family. Indeed, he and his family members shivered
for want of food and water, yet Rantideva always remained sober. Once,
after fasting for forty-eight days, in the morning Rantideva received
some water and some foodstuffs made with milk and ghee, but when he and
his family were about to eat, a brahmana (priest) guest arrived.
Because Rantideva perceived the presence of the Supreme Godhead everywhere,
and in every living entity, he received the guest with faith and respect
and gave him a share of the food. The brahmana guest ate his share and
then went away.
Thereafter, having divided the remaining food with his relatives, Rantideva
was just about to eat his own share when a sudra (field worker) guest
arrived. Seeing the sudra in relationship with the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, King Rantideva gave him also a share of the food.
When the sudra went away, another guest arrived,
surrounded by dogs, and said, "O King, I and my company of dogs
are very hungry. Please give us something to eat."
With great respect, King Rantideva offered the balance
of the food to the dogs and the master of the dogs, who had come
as guests. The King
offered them all respects and beisances.
Thereafter, only the drinking water remained,
and there was only enough to satisfy one person, but when the
King was just about to drink it, a
candala (outcaste) appeared and said," O' King, although I am low born, kindly give me some drinking
water."
Aggrieved at hearing the pitiable words of the poor fatigued candala,
Maharaja Rantideva spoke the following nectarean words: I do not pray
to the Supreme Personality of Godhead for the eight perfections of mystic
yoga, nor for salvation from repeated birth and death. I want only to
stay among all the living entities and suffer all distresses on their
behalf, so that they may be freed from suffering.
By offering my water to maintain the life of this poor candala, who
is struggling to live, I have been freed from all hunger, thirst, fatigue,
trembling of the body, moroseness, distress, lamentation and illusion.
Having spoken thus, King Rantideva, although on the verge of death because
of thirst, gave his own portion of water to the candala without hesitation,
for the King was naturally very kind and sober.
Suddenly, from out of thin air, great demigods (devas) like Lord Brahma
and Lord Siva, who can satisfy all materially ambitious men by giving
them the rewards they desire, then manifested their own identities before
King Rantideva, for it was they who had presented themselves as the brahmana,
sudra, candala and so on. (Bhagavat Purana 9.21.2-15)
(c) Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
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