Kathopanishad - Story of Nachiketa Part 8

 Previously:

After arriving at the palace of Yam-Raj, Nachiketa was informed that the Lord was not present and will be back after three days. 

Nachiketa sat on the footsteps and waited for three days and nights without any food or drink.

Yam Raj, the Lord of death, returned after three days and found a young, pale boy sitting at the doorsteps of his house, who was turned away by his father, shouting in anger, “To the Death shall I give thee. 

                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Lord Yamraj was pleased to know that Nachiketa had voluntarily come to offer himself in the service of the Lord, with a keen desire to learn about Life and Death - the afterlife. 

But at the same time, he was also angry that the boy was sitting and waiting at the doorsteps in front of his house for three days and nights, and he was not given proper attention by his consorts and servants. He was not given any food or drink. 

He says to his family and servants:

              वैश्वानरः प्रविशति अतिथि ब्राह्मणो गृहान 
            तस्यैताम शान्तिं कुर्वन्ति हर वैवस्वतोदकम 

Vaishvaanarah Pravishati Atithi Baraahmano grihaan
Tasya etaam Shaantim Krvanti, Har vaivasvat- udakam
                                                            Shloka 7 - chapter one

“A Brahman (learned, wise person) guest enters a house like fire. 
 The hosts (are supposed to) offer water to quieten them”

The word ‘Brahman’ does not mean a person who belongs to a specific heritage lineage. 

It implies an intellectual or Pundit - a learned and cultured person with a pure and kind heart. 

Guru Kabeer ji says: 
                        Kahay Kabeer jo Brahm vichaaray
                        So Braahman kahiyat hamaaray 
“Kabeer says the one who contemplates upon Brahm (the Almighty Lord) is called Brahman among us”

Lord Krishna says:
                    चातुर्वण्यं मया सृष्टम गुणकर्म विभागशः 
"Chaatur varnyam mayaa srushtam Guna karma vibhagashah"

The four divisions of people have been created; based on the Guna (character) and Karma (profession) 
                                                              (Bhagavad Gita 4:13)
In other words, this division is not based on birth or family lineage; but on talent, action, and profession. 

So, in the 7th verse of Kathopanishad, Dharam Raj is actually saying that a guest, especially an intellectual and well-cultured guest, must be treated with respect and courtesy – and should be offered food and water. 

Which his family and servants failed to provide to the young visitor Nachiketa. 

In fact, this is one of the main characteristics of Indian culture.

A phrase - ‘Atithi Devo Bhavah’ - 

That an 'Atithi or guest should be treated as God' – was, and still is a well-nurtured thought and taught to the young Indian minds from early childhood. 

I remember that after cooking the day’s meal, my grandmother always took two servings of everything out and kept them aside to be given away. At her request, an elderly Brahman lady, wife of our ‘Kul-Purohit’ used to come to my grandparent’s home every day around noon, and my grandmother would give her those two servings of freshly cooked food with folded hands – with respect and gratitude. 

No one was supposed to eat until the food was served to her – to be taken for her family. 

My grandmother and all other religious and traditional women of that time believed that at least one revered guest must be offered some food every day before we eat - not left-overs, but freshly prepared food. 

It was considered an offering to God and was always offered with humility and gratitude.

During my childhood, I also noticed that even if a guest arrived unannounced or even at some odd hours - my mother, aunts, and grandmothers always welcomed them and quickly and happily prepared some food - with whatever was available at home - to serve them. This was a familiar scene in every house, every family I knew – a wonderful tradition which is still being followed by many - especially in India. 

Westerners, and even the first generation of Indians born in foreign lands (or under the western influence), always wonder why Indians - especially the traditional Indian households always offer and even insist upon having some food or drinks to anyone who comes to visit. In fact, some people, especially some ladies, insist so much on serving more food - that the guests may even feel uncomfortable – that they are being forced, against their will, to eat more.

Like anything else, the meaning of the old cultural traditions should be understood correctly, and some wisdom should be used while following them. Excess or over-doing of anything is not good - it loses its charm and may even have adverse effects. 

Dharam Raj was upset because Nachiketa was not attended properly and courteously by his consorts and staff. 

He knew Nachiketa was not an ordinary visitor. He had been patiently waiting for Dharam Raj at his doorsteps for three days and nights without any food or drink - which shows his firm determination, self-control, patience, and discipline – a quality that a good and worthy student must possess in order to learn. 
Unfortunately, both of these traits – treating guests with due respect and humility by the households, and having firm determination, patience, and discipline among the students – seem to be vanishing. 

Dharam Raj says: a guest enters a house like fire… and must be offered water to quieten him. 

It may simply be understood in the context of central and southern parts of India that a guest who has traveled from far in the hot weather should be first offered water to soothe him. 

However, metaphorically there are much deeper meanings of this verse. 

First, in the Vedic traditions, God is worshipped with fire; in the form of Yagna – Havan or Yagya. 

Even Buddhist and Hindu temples - and Catholic and many other Christian churches also use burning lamps or candles as sacred objects during the worship. 

By saying: the guest enters a house like fire - Dharam Raj might be suggesting that a guest should also be treated as sacred as fire. 

Secondly, fire - if used correctly and cautiously provides light, warmth, and heat to cook our food. It is quite useful and beneficial.

But if misused or mishandled, it can burn the house and all belongings - it can be very harmful and devastating too. 

Similarly, a wise guest or visitor treated with respect can provide us wisdom, happiness, and many other blessings.

On the other hand, mistreating and disrespecting the guests could spoil the relations and mutual respect. All thoughts - well-wishes or ill-wishes travel like waves. They affect other minds and surroundings as well. 

The stronger the thought, the stronger is its effect. 

Dharam Raj, a great Guru, warns: ‘a guest enters a house like fire … fetch water to quieten him’. 

Here, just like fire, water is also symbolic.

In all ancient cultures, water is used as a symbol of humility. 

Therefore, the first lesson being taught by Dharam Raj is: 

Treat the guests with respect and courtesy – serve them with humility (like water).

Keep them happy and be blessed with peace and happiness. 

                                 ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

To be continued: