Rantideva
The kindest and the most liberal of the Kings in ancient India.
1) Genealogy.
Descended from Visnu thus:
Atri
Candra
Budha
Pururavas
Ayus
Nahusa
Yayati
Puru
Janamejaya
Pracinvan
Pravira
Namasyu
Vitabhaya
Sundu
Bahuvidha
Sarhyati
Rahovadi
Raudrasva
Matinara
Santurodha
Dusyanta
Bharata
Suhotra
Suhota
Gala
Garda
Suketu
Brhatksatra
Nara
Sankrti
#Rantideva.
2) His importance.
Rantideva’s unique kindness is very famous in history. After the great war was over, Narada 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 milk that flowed from the cattle formed itself into a river called Carmanvati.
(Santi Parva, Chapter 29. 21,000 cows were daily killed for the guest. (Drona Parva, Chapter 67).
3. Other information.
(i) Rantideva entered Svarga by giving Vasistha warm water. (Santi Parva, Chapter 234, Verse 17) .
(ii) He once worshipped maharsis with fruits and vegetables and achieved his desire. (Santi Parva, Chapter 292, Verse 7).
(iii) He never ate flesh. (Anusasana Parva, Chapter 115, Verse 67 ).
(iv) He entered heaven once by making oblations to Vasistha.
(Anusasana Parva, Chapter 137, Verse 6).
(v) He is recognised as one of the Maharajas who are to be remembered both at dawn and at dusk.
(Anusasana Parva, Chapter 150, Verse 51) .
Post view 386 times
