Srimad Bhagavatam 08.16.06 - Principles Of Hospitality (download mp3)
by Radhanath Swami at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net
SB 8.16.6
api vatithayo 'bhyetya
kutumbasaktaya tvaya
grhad apujita yatah
pratyutthanena va kvacit
Translation:
I wonder whether because of being too attached to the members of your family, you failed to properly receive uninvited guests, who therefore were not welcomed and went away.
Purport:
It is the duty of a householder to receive guests, even if a guest be an enemy. When a guest comes to one's home, one should properly receive him by standing up and offering him a seat. It is enjoined, grhe satrum api praptam visvastam akutobhayam: if even an enemy comes to one's home, one should receive him in such a way that the guest will forget that his host is an enemy. According to one's position, one should properly receive anyone who comes to one's home. At least a seat and a glass of water should be offered, so that the guest will not be displeased. Kasyapa Muni inquired from Aditi whether disrespect had been shown to such guests, or atithis. The word atithi refers to one who comes without an invitation.
