In yesterday's Satsang, Shriman touched upon the topic of "Atithi Devo Bhava" . We paraphrase and add a few more perspectives to what he said.
Atithi Devo Bhava—the thought that the guest is verily divine. This is not just about offering a seat or a meal to a guest. It is about accommodating more people in our lives, embracing them with open hearts, and through that, transforming our very being.
In today’s world, we often live in narrow circles, interacting with only a few people who align with our preferences, our comforts, and our ideas. But in doing so, we collect only sparse data of experience—a limited, fragmented version of life. When we engage only with what is comfortable and familiar, life remains a sensory experience, bound by likes and dislikes, rāga and dveṣa. But life is much bigger than that.
Our scriptures and traditions tell us again and again—true transformation happens when we open ourselves to a vastness of experience. This is where big data of experience comes in! The more people we accommodate, the richer our experience, and the greater our spiritual progress.
Let us take a moment to think—when do we truly grow? Is it when we remain in our comfort zone, surrounded only by those who agree with us? Or is it when we step out, when we interact, when we learn from the diversity of life? It is only when we embrace many, serve many, and share with many that our inner being expands.
Accommodating Others: A Path to Spiritual Growth
Now, one might wonder—why does accommodating more people lead to spiritual transformation? The answer is simple: it forces us to let go of our personal likes and dislikes.
When we make space for others, we cannot be too particular about what we eat, where we sit, or how things should be arranged. Slowly, without even realizing it, our inner clinging to rāga (attachment) and dveṣa (aversion) starts to dissolve.
Look at the great Mahā Kumbha Melā! Crores of people come together, and yet everything functions smoothly. How? Because people do not hold on to their preferences. If each person demanded a full course meal with elaborate dishes, could such an event happen? No! Instead, what do we see? Simple food, vrata food—food that nourishes without indulgence.
This is an important lesson. A full-course meal is for the senses, but vrata food is for the soul. The more we move towards simplicity, the more we can accommodate others. The more we accommodate, the more we learn. And the more we learn, the deeper our wisdom grows.
This is not just about food. It applies to every aspect of life.
When we host people, we let go of our fixed routines.When we engage with different perspectives, our ego softens. When we serve, we realize the joy of giving without expectations.
In ancient times, the Gṛhastha (householder) was considered a vital part of society. Why? Because it was in the household that sannyāsīs, travelers, and seekers found food and shelter. The home was not just a personal space—it was a space of offering, a place of dharma, a place of learning.
Even today, in Bharat, if a guest arrives unannounced, they are still offered water, food, and rest. Why? Because this is a civilization that sees the Divine in all beings. In this culture, serving others is not a burden, it is a pathway to the Divine.
But in modern life, many of us have become rigid in our ways. We prefer to live in our own bubbles. We say, "I like my food in this way," or "I don’t want too many people in my space," or "I can only tolerate certain kinds of company." This is the mind’s conditioning.
But what happens when we open our homes, our hearts, our lives to more people?
We dissolve our false identities. We stop defining ourselves by our likes and dislikes. We learn to be at ease in any situation. We cultivate patience and selflessness. More people mean more adjustments, but adjustments bring growth. We invite more grace into our lives.
A house that welcomes is a house filled with blessings. The Universe is Vast. So Must Be Our Hearts.
If we live in a small mindset, we experience only a small life. But if we expand, we experience the vastness of existence. This is why in all our great traditions—whether in an āśrama, in the homes of wise beings, or in great gatherings like Kumbha—life is shared. When we share life, we share the Divine. And when we share the Divine, we experience the highest joy. Let us move from a life of small experiences to big experiences. From a life of sensory indulgence to spiritual richness. From a life of separation to oneness.
That is the true path. That is Atithi Devo Bhava.
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