Rantideva gave to others whatever he had and had nothing left for himself. He and his dependents remained without food for forty-eight days. On the morning of the 49th. day he got some _ghee_, milk, prepared barley, and water. While he was going to partake of that with the others, a Brâhmana became his guest. He duly respected his guest and gladly gave him a share of the meals. When the Brâhmana went away, he divided the remnant amongst his dependents and himself, and while he was going to eat, one Sûdra became his guest. He gave him a share out of his own. When the Sûdra went away, another man came with a number of dogs and Rantideva duly respected him and gave him what he could. Only some water now remained, sufficient for the drink of one man only. He was going to drink that water, when a man of the Pukvasa caste (a degraded mixed caste) came and pitifully asked for some water. "I do not ask for the eight Siddhis," exclaimed Rantideva "I do not ask for Nirvâna. I only want that I may pervade all beings and suffer for them all their miseries, that they may be sorrowless. By parting with this water to save the life of this distressed man, my hunger, thirst, langour, giddiness, and distress are all gone." Kind hearted Rantideva gave even the water to the thirsty Pukvasa. Even Brahmâ and others could not distract him from his devotion to Vishnu. His followers all became Yōgins devoted to Vishnu. (Is there some connection between Rantideva and Jesus Christ?) Ajamirha | −−+−−−−−−−−−−−−+−−−−−−+−−−−−−−−−+−−−−−−−−−−−+−− | | | | The Brahmans Brihadishu Nila Riksha (1) Priyamedha | | & c. Brihaddbanu Sânti (Large Jaws) | | Susanti Brihatkâya | Large sized) Puruja | | Jayadratha Arka | | Vishada Bharmyâsva | (His sons were Syenajit known as | Panchâla) −−−−−+−− Mudgala −−+−−−−−−−−−−−+−+−−−−−−−−−+ | (originator of the | | | | Maudgalya clan) Ruchirâsya Dhridhahanu Kâsya Vatsa | | +−− Yavinara Pâra | | +−− Brihadvisva −−+−−+−−−−−−−−+−− | | | +−− Kampilla Prithusena Nîpa |