Atithi or Guest Reception (study)
by Sarika. P. | 2022 | 41,363 words
This page relates ‘Content of Dharmashastras’ 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 6 - Content of Dharmaśāstras
The first chapter of Manusmṛti covers many topics such as world creation, chronology, Brahmanical praise etc. Definition of Dharma, Brahmins, cultures prescribed for Kṣatriyas and Śūdras and brahmacāri dharmas are included in the second chapter. The third chapter describes eight types of marriages, marital duties, pañcamahāyajñas, śrāddhas female praise etc. The fourth chapter mainly describes about the dharmas of the householder. The edible and inedible foods, pollutions (aśudhas) and the dharmas of womens are described in the fifth chapter. The functions of vānaprasthas and sannyāsiṃs are dealt with the sixth chapter. The seventh and eighth chapters describe the dharmas of the king. The ninenth chapter points out the dowry, daṇḍas, dharmas of king, vaiśya, śūdra etc. Miscellaneous topics such as four varṇas, the out castes like the Yavanas, and the sub castes etc. are detailed in the tenth chapter. The atonements (prāyaścitta) that are to be performed as a remedy to the sins committed are described in the eleventh chapter. The concluding chapter explains certain philosophical subjects. In addition to the religious topics Manusmṛti tries to explain certain political, legal, economic and social subjects etc.
The arrangement of subjects in Yājñavalkyasmṛti is similar to just that of Manusmṛti. The first section (ācāra) has been divided into thirteen prakaraṇas. The second section (vyavahāra) contains twenty-five prakaraṇas and five prakaraṇas are there in the third section (known as prāyaścitta).Yājñavalkyasmṛti discusses about the six type of smārtta dharmas, marriage, pañcamahāyajñas, caste system, eatables and non-eatables, duties of a king, boundary disputes, aśauca (impurity), āpaddharma (dharma to be followed during calamities), duties of vānaprastha, duties of sannyāsiṃs, prāyaścitta etc.
Parāśarasmṛti deals with rituals and prāyaścitta. The dharmas that are common to all varṇas, different types of atonement etc. are described. In a similar vein various Smṛtis gave importance to differing practices.
In Nāradasmṛti, vyavahāra is the prime subject of discussion. Varṇāśramadharma and the description of prāṇāyāma for salvation can be found in Hārītasmṛti. Where as Śaṅkhasmṛti says about brahmacarya, pañcamahāyajña, aśauca, prāyaścitta etc.
Almost all the smṛtis considered ācāra and prāyaścitta as the two important subject of discussion. Major Smṛtis like Manusmṛti and Yājñavalkyasmṛti gave equal importance to vyavahāra also.