Atithi or Guest Reception (study)
by Sarika. P. | 2022 | 41,363 words
This page relates ‘References to Hospitality in the Kumarasambhava’ 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 2 - References to Hospitality in the Kumārasaṃbhava
Kālidāsa’s Kumārasaṃbhava also have picturesque descriptions of atithi-saparyā. In the third canto Kāmadeva visits Devendra seeking help to destroy the demon Tāraka. Devendra receives him with full respect and offers seat.[1] The practice of entrusting daughters for atithi-saparyā is reflected in Kumārasaṃbhava. Himavān appoints his daughter Pārvati, to serve Śiva when Śiva chose to do tapas in the Himalaya Mountain.[2] In Mahābhārata also such instances can be seen. In Mahābhārata Kuntibhoja appoints his daughter Kunti to provide hospitality to the atithi Durvāsa. Also, in Abhijñānaśākuntala Sage Kaṇva appoints his daughter Śakuntalā to receive his atithis. In this kāvya, we can see that like human beings, even the animals and nature took part in atithi-saparyā. When Pārvati worshipped Lord Śiva in the forest, the animals also came to receive the atithi.[3] In the fifth canto of Kumārasaṃbhava, when Lord Śiva entered under the disguise of a Brahmacarin, Pārvati treated him with full respect.[4] Another occasion for atithi-saparyā is Himavān’s reception of the atithis who were invited by him for the marriage of his daughter Pārvati.[5] When Śiva went to Himālaya, Himavān receives him in a very respectful manner. But Lord Śiva is presented here not as an atithi, but as the bride groom.
Himavān gave water containing jewel (ratna), curd with honey, two new silks etc. to Śiva.
tatreśvaro viṣṭarabhāgyathāvatsaratnamarghyaṃ madhumacca gavyam |
nave dukūle ca navopanītaṃ pratyagrahītsarvamamantravarjam || Kumārasaṃbhava, 7.72.
Not only the householder, but his servants are also doing atithi-saparyā. Nandi’s welcoming of Indra is also worth mentioning.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
sa vāsavenāsanasannikṛṣṭa'mito niṣīde' ti nisṛṣṭabhūmiḥ |
bhartuḥ prasādaṃ pratinandya mūrdhnā vaktuṃ mithaḥ prākramataivamenam || Kumārasaṃbhava, 3.2
[2]:
anarghamarghyeṇa tamadrināthaḥ svargaukasāmarccitamarcayitvā |
ārādhanāyāsya sakhīsamagrām samādideśa prayatāṃ tanūjām || ibid., 1.55
[3]:
virodhisatvojjhitapūrvamatsaram drumairabhīṣṭaprasavārcitātithi |
navoṭajābhyantarasaṃbhṛtānalam tapovanaṃ tacca babhūva pāvanam || ibid., 5.17