Kathopanishad - Story of Nachiketa Part 9

Previously:

The first lesson taught by Dharam Raj: 

Treat the guests with respect and courtesy – 

Serve them with humility, love, and respect.

     .........................................................................

In the next verse, Dharam Raj further warned: 

     आशा प्रतीक्षे संगतां सूनृतां च - इष्टापूर्ते पुत्र पशून्च सर्वान्  

     एतद वृङ्क्ते पुरुषस्य अल्पमेधसो -यस्यानशनन् वसति ब्राह्मणो गृहे

     Aashaa Prateekshe Sangataam Su-Nrataam ch 

     Ishtaa-poortay Putra-Pashoon ch Sarvaan

     Aetad Vrnktay Purushasya alpamedhaso 

     Yasyaanashnan Vasti Braahmano Grahay

Hopes, expectations, merits of being in the company of good people (Satsang), sacrifices and good deeds performed for the welfare of children and cattle - all get destroyed for those ignorant people in whose home a guest stays without being offered any food. 

Treating guests with respect is an inherent and essential part of Indian culture. 

           Atithi Devo Bhava - 

Serving the guest is considered an auspicious act. 

So, in this Shlok - Dharam Raj warns that all ‘Punya’ (good karmas) - which people gain by doing Satsang, pooja, etc. may go to waste if a wise and honorable saintly guest is insulted and not treated with proper respect and courtesy in one’s home.

Now - this may seem to be a far-fetched, exaggerated statement. 

How does one lose all the Punya or good deeds just by mistreating an honorable saintly guest? 

How could everything - every good deed go to waste by one mistake only?

There was a hard-working employee of ten years, with a good reputation. 

But one day, he got caught stealing some money from his company and got fired at the spot. 

He lost all his credibility, and his ten years of hard work instantaneously went into the drain.

One wrong move can spoil the whole game. 

One wrong turn can take us away from the destination. 

We can do a hundred favors and nice things for others but, one mistake can make them forget every good thing done in the past and spoil the relationship. 

That is what Dharam Raj is teaching in this Shlok - Do not mistreat or insult your guests.

Just as a few drops of lemon juice can spoil the whole pot of milk. Similarly, one mistake of mistreating or insulting a pious saintly person can ruin all the previous Punya - good karmas of the past.

On the other hand, treating guests with love and respect - offering them good food and drinks - engaging in good conversation with them can bring lots of joy to everyone.

Conversing with wise guests may answer many unanswered questions that we might have. 

Talking about doubts and unresolved issues and asking for guidance and assistance may solve many of our problems. When we treat people with respect, they feel comfortable and happily share their knowledge and experiences - and are willing to help in any way.  

Remember - Everyone can provide us some knowledge from their life’s experience. 

Everyone can teach us something – but only if we have the humility and willingness to learn.

A nice similar advice from Sant Tulasi Das:

          तुलसी इस संसार में सबसे मिलियो धाए 

          ना जाने किस भेस में नारायण मिल जाए 

"Tulasi is sansaar may sab se miliyo Dhaaye

 Na jaanay kis Bhais may Naraayan mil jaaye"

"Greet and treat everyone with respect and passion. 

One never knows in what form or under what disguise God may come - to bless and provide help".

Keeping good relationships with everyone - whether we know them or not has its own merits and can be beneficial in both - the spiritual and the material world. 

Healthy discussions with friends and guests are always useful and beneficial. 

However, we can only share wisdom by respecting each other’s thoughts and opinions. 

Not by arguing or ridiculing the beliefs and ideas of others. 

Serving food is certainly a nice gesture, which makes the guests feel they are welcomed and loved. It creates a happy and joyful environment and feelings of affection between the host and guests. 

Nowadays, many corporations have also started ‘lunch-on meetings’ with the clients and employees to discuss business matters over lunch or dinner. They have also realized that good food certainly plays a big role in creating a warm, cozy and friendly environment for good and healthy communications.

But of-course business is different - we are usually very courteous towards the clients and the guests we invite to our place. 

However, Dharam Raj says to extend this gesture and courtesy to all guests - invited or uninvited - known or unknown. 

This custom was a common practice that was quite prevalent in the olden days. 

Unfortunately, it seems to be disappearing in the modern world*.

But then again, exceptions are always there. 

There are many good people who are always ready to welcome - to help everyone and anyone.

And there were many who did not follow such traditions even in the olden days. 

That is why Dharam Raj was unhappy with his family and consorts because they did not treat Nachiketa well- and he had to stay at the doorsteps for three days - unattended. 

Even though Nachiketa was an uninvited guest - an unknown young boy who had come with some hope and expectation - to learn - to ask or to get some help - but nevertheless, he was a guest. 

He should have been treated courteously. He should have been offered some food and a place to stay. 

This was a custom - expected to be followed by all well-cultured, sophisticated households - even by the kings and leaders. Those who did not follow this tradition were considered self-centered egotistic, and uncultured*.  

Therefore Dharam Raj was quite unhappy and gave this warning - that all good deeds done in the past could go to waste by mistreating a humble and worthy guest. 

 

What happens next - in the next verse is truly remarkable - extraordinary and astonishing. Something that we don’t see very often. A rare phenomenon that is hard to find in the history of kings and leaders or Gurus and Gyanis - the enlightened ones.

 

  To be Continued

Note:

*Many traditions and customs change or disappear over time because of the changed circumstances. 

It’s not just the mentality and the lifestyle of the people that has changed these days. There are few other factors too. Most importantly, security and welfare of oneself and protection of one’s family and belongings also need to be considered while entertaining unknown visitors. In today’s urban lifestyle, where so many undesirable incidents are reported every day, following the old customs of welcoming an unfamiliar visitor into homes may not be safe and desirable.   

However, even today, admirably Hindu Temples and Sikh Gurdwaras continue to follow this great tradition and provide Langar (free cooked food) every day-  to everyone - regardless of their ethnicity and religious or cultural backgrounds - not only in India but all over the world.

                                            ‘Rajan Sachdeva’