ATITHI DEVO BHAVA

Abhyagata -a Sanskrit term for an unknown and unexpected guest! The ancient culture in India considered an Abhyagata as a God's representative, deserving appropriate hospitality. Mind you an Atithi is an invited guest, but I do not find an equivalent English term for Abhyagata! an unknown unexpected visitor. Today let alone an Abhyagata even guests are hardly welcome in our society. My personal experience in Uttar Pradesh needs to be recounted ,where I am told the tradition continues.

Way back in 1951 my father Late Puligadda Subbarao asked me to visit Lalgunj in Mirzapur Distt where we owned a 150 bighas of so-called agricultural land bequeathed to us by the Zamindar in recognition of services rendered by my father. At about noon time I started my trek with a shoulder bag of clothes and things in the hot sun. On wayside villages, people working in farmlands would stop us offer sugar cane juice and refreshments and enquire where we are bound to. The friendliness they showed was indeed so overwhelming that I realized that every Indian believes that stranger-guest is a divine phenomenon and should be treated as such. The courtesy continued all through my walk till I reached the destination. At some affluent villages I was given a tall glass of thick Buffalo milk with a layer of Malai,-all gratis!

Krishna Singh our neighbor farmer had erected a small hut in the field, covered from top but open on all sides. Two large and high beds with cotton cushions were placed in the centre and two Razais to cover in nights or winters. After dinner of thick Rotis and Dal, Krishna ji addressed me: “Are! Bachwa (meaning son) Do not stir out of the bed at night and if you need to relieve yourself, wake me up so that I guard you with my rifle against wild beasts including tigers and bears. Just ten days ago, our worker was mauled by a Cheetah and he is in the hospital. I will show you tomorrow the forest clearing work in progress in my piece of land and also the peasants from Punjab settling here. Your father wishes to develop his portion of land and you can tell him all".

He lighted up a small hurricane lamp, helped himself to a couple of swigs of desi alcohol from a bottle and soon went into a slumber. Being tired I too went into deep sleep with some trepidation of course of dangers lurking around.

Next morning, I had occasion to watch a group of farmers reclaiming a piece of partly rocky land and looking at work involved decided it's not our cup of tea.

Next day I bid farewell to Krishna Singh and returned home. Needless to say, that we never had another look at that property. The title deed of 150 bighas of land is still in my possession! But I do carry memories of the lofty ideal of hospitality engendered into our Indian traditions.

My grandfather Puligadda Nandiraju settled in Gajapatinagaram is remembered for his habit of waiting in the Verandah in the evenings for some Atithi or Abhyagata to show up, to partake in his evening meal prepared by my grandmother. My mother used to tell us that the couple slept hungry when no guest came

So, friends that has been our culture and tradition and let us be courteous and helpful to people in need, of course within our capacity.