Atithi or Guest Reception (study)
by Sarika. P. | 2022 | 41,363 words
This page relates ‘Atithi-saparya in the Upanishads’ of the study on Atithi-Saparya—The ancient Indian practice of hospitality or “guest reception” which, in the Indian context, is an exalted practice tracable to the Vedic period. The spirit of Vedic guest-reception (atithi-saparya) is reflected in modern tourism in India, although it has deviated from the original concept. Technically, the Sanskrit term Atithi can be defined as one who arrives from a far place with hunger and thirst during the time of the Vaishvadeva rite—a ceremony that includes offering cooked food to all Gods.
Part 4 - Atithi-saparyā in the Upaniṣads
Upaniṣadic and Purāṇic stories often reflect the importance of atithis. Story of Naciketas in Kaṭhopaniṣad is an important one in this context.[1]
Taittirīyopaniṣad states that one of the exhortations of the teacher to the pupil (snātaka) returning home is “atithi devo bhava’. ie.
mātṛdevo bhava | pitṛdevo bhava | ācāryadevo bhava | atithidevo bhava | (Taittirīyopaniṣad,1.11.2)
After the completion of Vedic studies, teacher advices the student-“Be one to whom a mother is as God, Be one to whom a father is as God, Be one to whom a teacher is as God, Be one to whom a guest is as God”.
The stories of atithi-saparyā in the Upaniṣads[2] have been mentioned earlier. They are detailed here. In Bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣad, there is the story of Gautama.‘Śvetaketu the grandson of Āruṇi learned everything from his father Gautama. When he went to the palace of King Pravahaṇa Jaivāli, the King tested his knowledge by asking certain philosophical questions. But Śvetaketu finds it difficult to answer them all. Anguished Śvetaketu returns to his father and describes the whole story to him. Gautama replies that he taught whatever was known and he admits that he also didn”t know the answers for the kings questions. He decides to visit the king. When he reaches there the king receives him in a respectful manner. Gautama actually went there seeking answer for the questions raised by the king. Even than he was given a warm welcome by the king”.
The Chāndogyopaniṣad as well as Bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣad narrates the story of five Vedic householders viz. Prācīnaśāla son of Upamanyu, Satyayajña son of Pauluṣa, Indradyumna son of Bhāllavi, Jana son of Śarkkarākṣa, Budila son of Āśvatarāśva.[3] They went to king Aśvapati (son of Kekaya) along with Uddālaka. Aśvapati welcomes them with due respect and asks them stay there for a few days and participate in his yāga.[4] Here the king is requesting the atithi to stay back. This is a new practice as the host is expected to provide necessary thing like food, water, shelter etc. to the needy, when they are asked for. Here instead, the host requests the guests to stay back. And also, it may be noted that, learned men are going to meet a king in search of knowledge which is not usual to happen. In the Bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣad and Chāndogyopaniṣad wise men are approaching kings in search of knowledge and this is contrary to the normal practice. Usually kings approach learned men in pursuit of knowledge. There are the samples of practices regarding atithi-saparyā in Upaniṣads. Many references are available in Upaniṣads related to this matter. The common nature of atithi-saparyā in Upaniṣads is not only providing basic needs or requirements of atithi, but also comforting him to the maximum, according to the capability of the host.
In the Vedic literature, much emphasis has been placed on atithi and atithiyajña (guest and guest reception). One of the most notable of these is the ritual ātithyeṣṭi in Somayāga.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
infra, Chapter-10, p.197-198
[2]:
supra, Chapter-1, p.6
[3]:
prācīnaśālā aupamanyavaḥ satyayajñaḥ pauluṣirindradyumno bhāllaveyojanaḥ śārkkarākṣyo buḍila
āśvatarāśviste haite mahāśālā mahāśrotriyāḥ sametya mīmāṃsāṃ cakruḥ,kona ātmā, kiṃ brahmeti |
Chāndogyopaniṣad, 5.11.1