Atithi or Guest Reception (study)
by Sarika. P. | 2022 | 41,363 words
This page relates 鈥楾reatment of Atithi in Vedas鈥� of the study on Atithi-Saparya鈥擳he ancient Indian practice of hospitality or 鈥済uest reception鈥� 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鈥攁 ceremony that includes offering cooked food to all Gods.
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Treatment of Atithi in Vedas
The Vedic literature including 厂补峁僪颈迟补蝉, 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺蝉, 膧谤补峁噛补办补蝉 and 鲍辫补苍颈峁诲蝉, and Epics (搁腻尘腻测补峁嘺 and 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补) contain various instances of narratives on the treatment of atithi. Vedas and Epics describe various customs and rituals in treating an atithi. There are due changes in appeasing an atithi, as time progressed forward from the Vedic period.
Vedas are divided in to four parts namely, 厂补峁僪颈迟补蝉, 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺蝉, 膧谤补峁噛补办补蝉 and 鲍辫补苍颈峁诲蝉.[1] All these parts, taken together constitute and contribute to the essence of Vedas. Each of them got formulated and developed in different time periods. Hence the nature of ritualistic practices also have undergone evolution, along with the elaboration of Vedic literature. Same is the case with the treatment of atithi also.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
厂补峁僪颈迟补蝉, 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺蝉, 膧谤补峁噛补办补蝉 and 鲍辫补苍颈峁诲蝉 are the four majour divisions of Vedas. 厂补峁僪颈迟补蝉 are collections of mantras comprising prayers and beautiful descriptions of nature as well as sacrificial ritual. Mantras and praises for 测腻驳补蝉 are included in 厂补峁僪颈迟补蝉. 叠谤腻丑尘补峁嘺蝉 detailed the meaning and significance of the mantras, modes and conducts to be followed in the 测腻驳补蝉. 膧谤补峁噛补办补蝉 narrate more of 耻辫腻蝉补苍补蝉. 鲍辫补苍颈峁诲蝉 teach mystical and philosophical elements of Vedas.