165
Kural-39
Not to honour the pilgrim is veritable indigence in the midst of wealth: such a thing is to be
found only with fools.
Kural-40
The anitcha flower fadeth when thou holdest it near the nose and smellest it: but a mere
reluctant look is enough to break the heart of the guest.
The poet says that whole design of living in the domestic
state and laying up of
property is to be able to exercise the benevolence of hospitality. Hospitality has always been
regarded as one of the most important duties of the Indian householder. The word ‘guest’
here is meant as ‘the passing stranger’.
Gusets include wayfarers, mendicants and ascetics.
He is also of the opinion that the family of the man that daily entertains the guests who com
to him shall not be laid waste by poverty and that stupidity which exercises no hospitality is
poverty in the midst of wealth. Making use of a hyperbloe, the poet says that the very fields
of a hospitable man will blossom into grain without any endeavour on his part. The poet also
says that the deity of prosperity, Goddess Lakshmi would joyously dwell in the house of the
man who with cheerful countenance entertains the good as his guests. He further adds that the
advantages of
benevolence cannot be measured, but that the measure
of the virtue of the
guests entertained is the only measure. The poet also says that he who, having entertained the
guests that have come, also looks out for others who are yet to come; will be a welcome guest
of the inhabitants of heaven. He concludes by saying that as the fabled Anicham flower fades
in smelling, so also fades the feat when the face of the host in turned away.
Do'stlaringiz bilan baham: 
