SERVICE TO ALL EQUALLY
King Ranti Deva and the Famine
There was a king named Ranti Deva whose heart was full of the milk of human kindness. Anyone who came to him seeking help (food, money, advice etc) would not go away disappointed.
The king found peace and happiness in giving whatever he had to the poor and needy.
Once a great famine struck his kingdom, and the king himself was in need. However, he continued his charities as usual. Meanwhile the scarcity of food grain became acute (severe). The king, his wife and children would give a share of their food to satisfy the hunger of the poor who came to him.
The famine grew worse and the king and his family did not even have food for forty-eight days. On the 49th day by chance the king got a pot of porridge made of rice and milk. After praying the king and his family were about to sit down and eat when a hungry Brahmin (priest/pundit) arrived begging for food. The king received him with great respect and gave him the rice and milk, the best part of his porridge. The Brahmin went away satisfied.
Immediately after, a worker came asking for food. The king also received him with great respect and gave him a share of the porridge. When he went away another beggar came with four dogs. The king gave the remainder of the porridge and was happy to see that he could appease the hunger of his guest and four dogs.
Now only water was left in the porridge for the starving king and his family. As he was about to drink the water another beggar came seeking water to quench his thirst. Seeing the pitiable condition of the beggar Ranti Deva said, “I do not have any desire for wealth. I don’t want heaven. I don’t want special powers. My only prayer to God is that I may feel the pain of others and have the power of relieving their pain and solving their problems.”
So saying the king gave the beggar the water. As the man drank it the king felt his own hunger, thirst and weakness had disappeared.
Goddess Lakshmi was pleased with the king’s sacrifice and offered him all the riches of the world. But the king refused the offer. His mind was only concentrated on serving God. The Goddess blessed him and Ranti Deva became a great Yogi.
A yogi is full of bliss (happiness) and spends his life in the service to all men. He helps others to obtain peace and happiness.
Ranti Deva served everyone completely, just like earth serves the world by supporting the plants, animals and people on the earth.
The last beggar with the four dogs was none other than Dattatreya who came to test the king.
