Atithi or Guest Reception (study)
by Sarika. P. | 2022 | 41,363 words
This page relates ‘References to Hospitality in Kadambari’ 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 11 - References to Hospitality in Kādaṃbari
Other works like stories, subhāṣitas, sūktis, stotrakāvyas and texts related to customs etc. often refers to atithi-saparyā. Some of them are mentioned here.
In a society where traivarṇika domination prevails atithi-saparyā is performed irrespective of caste preferences. Such a reference can be found in the novel Kādaṃbari of Bāṇabhaṭṭa. The story starts with the arrival of a Caṇḍālakanya in the palace of King Śūdraka with a śuka named, Vaiśaṃpāyana. Then King Śūdraka receives them and offers food and bath to Vaiśaṃpāyana. Here we can see that King Śūdraka receive the Caṇḍālakanya with all hospitality. This shows that there is no discrimination among atithi even if they were in a lower caste, that is caste has not become a barrier for treating atithi.
In Mahāśveta’s hermitage description, when Candrāpīḍa entered the hermitage of Mahāśveta, she received her atithi Candrāpīḍa in a respectful manner. Mahāśveta welcomed him and asked him about the purpose of his visit. Mahāśveta gave arghya and pādya to him and Candrāpīḍa happily received the hospitality.