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Atithi or Guest Reception (study)

by Sarika. P. | 2022 | 41,363 words

This page relates ‘Differences in the mode of receiving Atithis� 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.

Go directly to: Footnotes.

Part 9 - Differences in the mode of receiving Atithis

The significant change that has come to existence during the period of ٳ󲹰śٰ is that the gradation and discrimination brought in by the ղṇāſ system in the society is very much reflected in all the facts of social activities. And the atithi-貹 is not an exception. In the ٳ󲹰śٰ or ṛt we come across many strictures and measures which show a clear usage to establish the ղṇa system of social order. We can see many discriminations and differences caused by the �ṇa� a particular individual belongs to, in the practices and customs related to the ritualistic reception of atithis.

According to Gautama ٳ󲹰ūٰ, a non-Brahmin is never an atithi of a Brahmin.[1] But, when a non–Brahmin came on the occasion of a sacrifice, he has the right to get proper treatment as an atithi.[2] ṣaٰⲹ are also considered as atithis, however they should be fed only after the Brahmins. As a part of atithi-貹, others like śⲹ, śū, etc. should be fed together with one’s servants.[3] A 󳾲ṇa shall not mention his own name and family for enjoying one’s hospitality. One uses his name and family details for food, such persons are called Գś (one who eats the vomit) by the wise.[4] A ṣaٰⲹ, śⲹ, śū, friends, preceptor etc. are not considered as an atithi in a Brahmins house.[5] Likewise śⲹ, śū, friend, preceptor are not considered as an atithi in a ṣaٰⲹs house. ṣaٰⲹ in the same caste or an excellent 󳾲ṇa is taken for an atithi in ṣaٰⲹ’s house. Similarly 󳾲ṇa and ṣaٰⲹ are considered as an atithi in a śⲹ’s house but śū is not considered as an atithi in a śⲹ’s house. Even when a ṣaٰⲹ arrives as an atithi at a 󳾲ṇa’s house, the ṛhٳ shall receive him and give food only after the reception of 󳾲ṇātٳ󾱲.[6] ղśⲹ and śū, are directed to be treated with compassion in the company of servants (ie. after offering food for upper caste guests etc.).[7] This is because even śⲹ and śū are not considered as an atithi in Brahmins house, but it is the duty of all the householders to give food when one who arrive with hunger. The atithis of different ṇas including Brahmin etc. are welcomed to the ṛhٳs home after the ղś𱹲 sacrifice. To the extent possible even edible items are to be so arranged that the order of the ṇas of the recepients are taken into considertion. One should receive his atithi who arrives in the evening with humble speech and offer him shelter, bed and water.[8]

Another significant change in treating atithis according to ṇas on the progressive side, is seen in ٳ󲹰ūٰs to ṛt. ٳ󲹰ūٰs don’t accept non-Brahmins as an atithi to a Brahmin, but ѲԳܲṛt, says to accept ṣaٰⲹ as an atithi in Brahmins house. A significant shift in treating atithi is seen in ṛt period. Even though the significance attributed to each ṇa in the ṇāſ system is seen in atithi-貹, those who came hungry, were always given food irrespective of ṇa.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

󳾲ṇasyānatithira󳾲ṇa� || Gautama ٳ󲹰ūٰ,1.5.39, p.56

[2]:

yajñe saṃvṛtaścet || ibid., 1.5.40, p.56

[3]:

bhojana� tu ṣaٰⲹsyordhva� brāhmaṇebhya� || ibid., 1.5.41, p.56
ԲԲṛtⲹ� ''nṛśaṃsyārthamānṛśaṃsyārtham || ibid., 1.5.42, p.56

[4]:

na Ჹٳ� sve kulagotre nivedayet |
Ჹٳ� hi te śaṃsan vāntāśītyucyate budhai� || ѲԳܲṛt
, 3.109

[5]:

na 󳾲ṇasya tvatithirgṛhe ᲹԲⲹ ucyate |
śⲹśūu sakhā caiva jñātayo gurureva ca ||
ibid., 3.110

[6]:

yadi tvatithidharmeṇa kṣatriyo gṛhamāvrajet |
bhuktvatsu ca vipreṣu kāma� tamapi bhojayet ||
ibid., 3.111

[7]:

śⲹśūdrāvapi prāptau kuṭumbe'tithidharmiṇau |
bhojayetsaha bhṛtyaistāvānṛśaṃsya� prayojayan ||
ibid., 3.112

[8]:

atithitvena varṇānā� ⲹ� śaktyānupūrvaśa� |
apraṇodyo'tithi� sāyamapi vāgbhūtṛṇodakai� || Yājñavalkyasmṛti
, 1.5.107

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