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Athithi Devo Bhava

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  • Athithi Devo Bhava

    Athithi Devo Bhava


    ATITHI DEVO BHAVAH is a Sanskrit verse, taken from an ancient Hindu scripture which became part of the "code of conduct" for Hindu society. Atithi devo bhav regards a procedure of the Host-Guest relationship
    The verse is from the Taittiriya Upanishad.


    Simple layman’s meaning is “The guest visiting may be a divine being.”

    Tithi in Sanskrit means a date.
    Tithis are classified as good and bad and some results attached to them.
    Atithi means - One who comes without considering Tithi. (This means that there was a custom of considering/selecting Tithi for everything during those days).
    Athithi is a person that may visit any home without any relevance to thithi (Time).


    He may be God in disguise, to test you.



    ATITHI DEVO BHAVAH = One who crosses the Tithi is the God of the Universe (Moon is the God of the universe/zodiac). ATITHI = One who crosses the Tithi; DEVO = God; BHAVAH = Universe ATITHI DEVO BHAVAH = Those who crosses the Tithis are the Gods of the Universe (Sun and Moon rules the universe/zodiac).

    There is an astrological saying - "Tithi Sareeram" (Tithi is body). If Tithi is body then Atithi is non-body or 'one without body'. If Tithi is Prakriti (nature/body) then Atithi is Purusha (energy/chaitanya; non-body). Thus - ATITHI DEVO BHAVAH = One without body is Siva. Atithi = One without body; Bhavah = Is; Devo = Siva OR ATITHI DEVO BHAVAH = Purusha is Siva. Atithi = Purusha; Bhavah = Is; Devo = Siva OR Atithi Devo can mean 'one who considers guest as God' and Bhava can mean 'this world' or 'Universe'. Thus - ATITHI DEVO BHAVAH = One who considers guest as God take birth in this world (to serve the people - and thus to fulfill his wish - again and again) There are two kinds of Yajna (dedicated work)

    There are two kinds of Yajna (dedicated work) - Deva yajna and Nri-yajna. Deva yajna = Worship of God Nri-yajna = Worship of man; worship of humanity; serving the society. Thus - ATITHI DEVO BHAVAH = Worship of humanity (serving the society) is the most important dedication/prayer

    As per Sanskrit dictionaries, Atithi can mean 'Anger'; Deva can mean Lightning and Bhava 'God'. Thus - ATITHI DEVO BHAVAH = Lightening is the anger of god.
    Atithi=Anger; Deva=Lightning; Bhava = God

    Why 'Atithi' (guest) is called so? The answer is present in the following Nirukta quote - Atithi = Atati gaschati na tishtati iti Atithi (Comes, goes and do not stay - and that is why he is called 'guest'). This descritpion suit well to 'Death' as well. Death comes and goes and do not stay. So - ATITHI DEVO BHAVAH = Death is god; Death is divine; or even 'Death is the ultimate truth on earth'. As per one definition, 'Deva' is called so because 'Devete iti deva' (One who plays is God). Thus -ATITHI DEVO BHAVAH = One who plays is God.

    ATITHI DEVO BHAVAH = Purush is the one who plays with the Universe. ATITHI DEVO BHAVAH = God plays with the world (The play of God is present behind everything)

    If Tithi is body then Atithi is soul. Thus - ATITHI DEVO BHAVAH = Soul is light (There is light inside) Atithi = soul; devo = light; Bhavah = is Soul know the righteous path inside and the directions it follow are always correct. This should not be limited to this.

    Contemplating on even the direct meaning of the quote 'Atithi devo bhavah' (guest is divine) can bring-out numerous arguments and thoughts in support of and against. Even the question "Guest is divine or not?" can be controversial.

    I would be writing more on this subject later on after receiving comments from members

    Source: Google many sites
    Last edited by Padmanabhan.J; 06-11-12, 13:35.

  • #2
    Re: Athithi Devo Bhava

    Very detailed discriptrion

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