HOSPITALITY: "ATITHI DEVO BHAVA" - THE INDIAN WAY

 

HOSPITALITY: “ATITHI DEVO BHAVA”

THE INDIAN WAY

India is a country of vast and varied cultures, architecture and art from which the world has inspired time to time, as if we take the example of whole systematic and well modernized Indus Valley Civilization and Harappan civilization of its own period or the Indian teaching is aspects of Mathematics, Science, and Astrology. Which have drawn the attention of world in it’s time.

                                        ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ is a very catchy phrase which we have read in some newspaper editorials or advertisements on television. It is been started under the campaign of ‘incredible India’ executed by Ministry of Tourism in 2002 and the ‘Atithi devo bhava’ was initiated in 2005 to improve the relation between the Host and visiting foreigners.

                       The origin of word ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ first depicted in the ancient Indian script from ‘Taittiriya Upanishad (11:2) of Yajur Veda it is basically a Mantra. The full mantra comprises

 

       “मातृदेवो भव। पितृदेवो भव। आचाय देवो भव। अतिथि देवो भव।

            यानयनविधानि कमाणि तानि सेवितवयानि, नो इतराणि।

          यानयसमाकं सुचरितानि, तानितवयोपासयानि, नो इतराणि।“

 

 It means : “One should not neglect one’s duties to Gods and Ancestors. Treat your Mother as God, Treat your Father as God, Treat your Teacher as God, Treat your Guest as God. Whatever deeds are faultless, They are to be performed, not by others. Whatever good works have to be performed, Those should be performed by you. The composition of Yajur Veda or the origin of it, estimated by scholars between 800 to 1500 BCE, So from that time we Indians are having the code of conduct of how to welcome a Guest and what is the importance of Guest in our Culture as there are some well known examples from Indian Mythological Stories. They are the well known examples of providing utmost Hospitality, devotion and determination towards Guests.

When SUDHMA playing host to KRISHNA.

When SABARI welcomed SRI RAM, with Great Devotion.

King RANTIDEV, who was well known for his Hospitality.

The King MORDHWAJ and his Story of determination towards his Solicitors.

 

         These are some Indian Mythological Stories related to the vary emotion of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ which has been played with full devotion against its Guests. But, Today's scenario is far away from the culture of determination and devotion because Now, the Guest Hospitality stayed till Departure or in Records only. In India the emotion of Hospitality starts from homes, villages and goes to the welcoming a overseas guest in a five star deluxe hotel or a resort.

              We can easily relate Hospitality in hotel with example from Medieval and Modern History, When Kings and Emperors used to provide hospitality and services to their royal Guests in their Palaces, weather it is a time of Royal Birthday Celebrations, Royal Weddings and Coronation Ceremonies. They used to entertain the throng of Guests provide them accommodation and some times personalized butler services. So, the very idea hospitality remains same in both the cases but the only difference is the emotion in it. This is slight shadow image of how we used to welcome our Guests.

  As, earlier were talking abut the code of conduct of How, we used to welcome our Guests and reasons behind it. We Indians have formed many rituals to welcome a Guest. These are known as ‘UPCHARAS’.  Well in modern world we used to follow some of them but not in a sequence altogether. So below mentioned are step by step procedure to be followed by Host to welcome a Guest.

Fragrance: The starting of any happenings matters, similarly the entering of guest  should be complemented with a nice pleasant welcoming fragrance e.g usually of incense sticks or Rose water.

Earthen Lamp: light signifies happiness, joy and prosperity .so welcome the guest with a beautiful earthen lamp the natural soothing lightings will make them feel at ease.

Eatables (Naivedya): The Indian food and delicacies are mouth watering as well as unique. We need to treat them with fruits and milk made sweets.

Rice (Nakahata): Make them feel special and wish for there well being by putting Tilak on their forehead. Tilak is one of the most significant part of Indian culture. Prepare it with Vermilion paste, put it on their forehead with some Rice.

Flowers: The ultimate symbol of freshness. The sweet and intoxicating fragrance of flowers can change any bad mood into Good. Along with the flowers give them the gesture of Goodwill Prosperity and Best wishes.

    As per Indian culture we should never return back a Guest with disappointment or bad memories as it is believed that their dissatisfaction will bring us unwanted and sad situations. Guests should be honoured with respected love and taken care in such a way that, they should take back with them an experience of unbelievable importance.

  So, lets preserve our culture and treat our Guests as God with the spirit of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’.

  “ONE SHOULD NEVER LEAVE IT’S ROOT

             IN ORDER TO GROW ONE SHOULD GROW WITH IT”