Story of Rantideva

The Kindest and the most liberal of the Kings in ancient India.

Genealogy.

Descended from Viṣṇu thus: Atri-Candra Budha-Purūravas-Āyus-Nahuṣa-Yayāti-Pūru-Janamejaya-Prācinvān-Pravīra-Namasyu-Vītabhaya Śuṇḍu-Bahuvidha-Saṃyāti-Rahovādī-Raudrāśva-Matināra-Santurodha-Duṣyanta-Bharata-Suhotra-Suhotā-Gala-Garda-Suketu-Bṛhatkṣatra-Nara-Saṅkṛti Rantideva.

His importance.

Rantideva’s unique kindness is very famous in history. After the great war was over, Nārada once narrated the stories of sixteen kings to Dharmaputra. There are a number of stories relating to Rantideva’s kindness, hospitality etc. He had engaged 20,000 people to cook food for guests who came to the palace everyday. He was very vigilant about treating guests day and night alike. He gifted away all wealth which had been righteously earned, to brahmins. He learned Vedas and subdued enemies by Dharma (righteousness). The very blood that flowed from the skin of cattle killed to entertain his guests formed itself into a river called Carmaṇvati. (Śānti Parva, Chapter 29. 21,000 cows were daily killed for the guest. (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 67).

Other information.

(i) Rantideva entered Svarga by giving Vasiṣṭha warm water. (Śānti Parva, Chapter 234, Verse 17).

(ii) He once worshipped maharṣis with fruits and vegetables and achieved his desire. (Śānti Parva, Chapter 292, Verse 7).

(iii) He never ate flesh. (Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 115, Verse 67).

(iv) He entered heaven once by making oblations to Vasiṣṭha. (Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 137, Verse 6).

(v) He is recognised as one of the Mahārājas who are to be remembered both at dawn and at dusk. (Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 150, Verse 51).