Talk:Atithi Bhāva: Bhagavān as a Guest

By Vishal Agarwal

Honoring the guest is a hallowed Hindu tradition. The Upanishads ask us to treat our Atithi as none other than the Lord-

Be that person for whom his guest is his Deity. Yajurveda, Taittirīya Upanishad 1.11

This Bhakti Bhāva involves treating Bhagavān as a guest who is always welcomed lovingly and served in our home (or in our hearts). There are Mantras in the Vedas welcoming the Deva-s as guests while performing the Yajnas-

Agni is a guest in every home. Rigveda 8.74.2

The commonly practiced Hindu ceremony of Shodaṣhopachāra Pūjā or worship in sixteen steps itself involves inviting the Deities as revered guests who are seated with respect, offered water, food, clothing, etc., and then bid a temporary farewell after the ceremony. The famous Gaṇapati festival celebrated in large parts of India, especially in Maharashtra, involves inviting Bhagavān Ganesha for some time, ranging from one to ten days, during which his image is consecrated in the house and worship is offered. After the period is over, the images are taken in a procession and immersed in a water body. Similar is the case with the Durgā Pūjā festival celebrated in eastern India and Bangladesh, where images of Durgā and Kālī are likewise consecrated and the Devi is invited for several days.