A straw mat on ground to sit,
A place in the house discreet,
Water to drink, wash guest's feet,
Words of welcome warm and sweet,
Courteous conduct to greet:
In homes of nobles well worth,
Let these five suffer no dearth.
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Here is the transliteration of the original verse:
tŗņāni bhūmih udakam1vāk chaturthī cha sūnŗtā |
satām etāni geheśhuna uċhidyante kadāchana || vana 2-54 ||
During the discussion a question came as to who is a good house holder. Yudhishthir argued: a good householder shares his food with gods, manes (ancestors) , dependents, birds and animals. A guest has to be welcomed and made comfortable. He had his own take on these four things as minimum and must that a good man, howso poor, should not lack.
Note: tŗņāni = a mat made of straw (for sitting): bhūmih = a place (in house to stay): udakam = water, see note below; vāk chaturthī = smart/sweet words of welcome; sūnŗtā = gentle, courteous behaviour; satām = of good, noble men; na uċhidyante = never (should be)discarded. In olden days, a guest was as good as god. He would come unannounced. And he need not know the host, and was still welcome.
1. As per ancient Indic tradition, an elderly guest's feet are first washed to show respect; water is first offered to drink, and then for cleansing, etc.
Part-2 etiquette to guests well after washing theirs feet with water. Dear Pathak sir, you have so nicely translated and brought the poem here for good knowledge of readers. Thank you.
Thank you Kumarmaniji for appreciating the work done. Such feedback will encourage me to continue to add more.
Part-1 How to treat a guest has been well executed in shloka " tŗņāni bhūmih udakam1vāk chaturthī cha sūnŗtā | satām etāni geheśhuna uċhidyante kadāchana || vana 2-54 ||" in where Yudhishthir of Mahabharat had said that a good householder shares his food with gods, manes (ancestors) , dependents, birds and animals and shows
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
A very hospitable way to welcome guests. A unique tradition. Thank you, Sir for this informative write. Very well written.
I really appreciate, Rose Marie, that you take interest in such a subject.