24. Receiving a Guest (in ancient India)

Customs, as it has been stated in the Vasudevahindi(F), differed from district to district 3. Still, some uniformity as regards the normal incidents must have been there. The usual way a householder received his guest was to offer him water for cleansing his feet (padasoya), 1. Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II. 4a. 2. Ibid.,; II.79b-80a. 3. When Vasudeva sees a big trade in lyres going on in Campa, he asks the people whether it was one of the customs of a district (visayacara) to learn music, Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa,126.

a seat, meals and other objects to indicate honour (puya) 1. Even a monk had some notions of honouring the guests (panunnaya). A parivvayaga, travelling along with a caravan, requests his fellow travellers to grant his wish df feeding them at places of aquaintences on their way². According to the Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, regard was shown to a respected person (pujja) by offering him clothes, food, drinks, garland of flowers, betel leaves, scents and flowers? Vasudeva, when visiting a hermitage, received such a respectable treatment (aggha) by maids (tavasakannaga) who were directed to do so by the head (kulavat (+) of the establishment. Royal Way of Receiving the Guest : A sort of speciality was always there when a king received his guest. Kanagaraha was accompanied by his queen Caymdabha when he had been to receive his overlord 1. Anamgasenay a courtezan, offers such a reception to a trader. Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 294. Gahavati Mahadhana and the kayamjala birds in a fable, received their guests in a similar way; Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 74, 33. 2. Ibid., 43. 4. Ibid.; II. 117a. 3. Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II. 212b.

237 (ahiraya) king Mahu. As a part of the reception, queen Camdabha herself washed the feet of king Mahu after throwing around him some water (udagamavajjum), sprinkler (bhimgara) 1. The king, while receiving a from a dignified person, also asked him to ride an elephant and followed him on a horse as did king Abhaggasena in the case of Vasudeva 2. Sometimes he deputed his personnel to receive him. Vasudeva, when he was received both by the king Asanivega and Gamdhara with a view to get him married with their daughter, was met near the city by the personal him of the king. They bathed him and draped in new clothes. Vasudeva was afterwards led to the city in a chariot-like vehicle with a parasol (sachatto raho) and later on to the court of the king. When he passed through the city which was decorated with banners, flags and arches (kayatoranavanamalae samusiyajjhayapadae) he was hailed victory by the citizens³. Similar formalities being observed by the kings are also to be noticed in the Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa The king while receiving his quests himself went forward accompanied by his wives 4 and the officials (pagiti) 5. Sometimes he was 1. Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 90. 3. Ibid., 123, 351. 4. Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II. 106. 2. Ibid.; 203. 5. Ibid., I. 5a.

238 represented by his ministers (saciva) only. In the case of an eminent person, say the king's son-in-law, the city was decorated with banners, victory flags (vijayavejayamti), garlands and flowers. On his way to the palace, flowers were showered on him². The joyous people danced before the procession with cymbals (tala). and trumpets (namditura) ³. The day was declared one of celebrations like that of a kaumudimahotsava (akalakomudi). Vasudeva's happy return was celebrated by his fathers-in-law in such a manner manner + In such festivals, conches and drums were blown and beaten, and the city was crowded with the performance of dramatic troupes 6. While on tour, the royal officials received their guests with due respect and hospitality suitable to camp life (adavivasa sarisa atidheya)7. The Reception of a Hero : In the Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, descriptions, somewhat similar to those of royal reception are given also in the cases of 1. Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II. 81a. 3. Ibid.; II. 243a- 5. Ibid.; II. 203a. 7. Ibid., II. 202a. 2. Ibid., II. 199b. 4. Ibid.; II. 52b, 199b. 6. Ibid., II. 199b.

239 heroes who had performed some feats. Dhammilla was received by the residents of a pall when in a very close combat, he killed the leader of a gang of thieves harassing the people nearby. People, through joy, beat drums and blew conches, raised flags of victory (vijayavejayamti) and gave cheers (ukkatthinada). The headman of the palli embraced Dhammilla and smelt tu success 1. his head and congraluted him on his succes In the case of Vasudeva, however, the reception When he killed singlehanded a cannibal, was a bit different. Vasudeva was bathed outside the village first by the a n Brahamanas and then by old ladies, with hundred and eight jars full of water. Afterwards he was helped in getting dressed by maidens (kanna) and was taken in a procession in a bullock cart to the village. In honour of the hero, the village was decorated with arches and series of banners².