Shloka 51
Instruction on All Dharma
in the context of Rāma’s Aśvamedha
अनर्चितोऽतिथिर्गेहाद्भग्नाशो यस्य गच्छति । आजन्मसंचितात्पुण्यात्क्षणात्स हि बहिर्भवेत्
anarcito'tithirgehādbhagnāśo yasya gacchati | ājanmasaṃcitātpuṇyātkṣaṇātsa hi bahirbhavet
ആരുടെയോ വീട്ടിൽ നിന്ന് അതിഥി ആദരസത്കാരം ലഭിക്കാതെ പ്രതീക്ഷാഭംഗത്തോടെ പുറപ്പെടുകയാണോ, ആ വ്യക്തി ജന്മാന്തരസഞ്ചിത പുണ്യത്തിൽ നിന്നുപോലും ക്ഷണത്തിൽ വഞ്ചിതനാകും।
Unspecified (narrative instruction within the chapter context)
Concept: Atithi-sevā is a decisive dharma: neglecting a guest can instantly destroy lifelong merit.
Application: Keep a small, ready hospitality practice: water, a seat, kind speech, and some food; never dismiss a visitor with ‘broken hope’—offer at least reassurance and a token of care.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble courtyard at dusk: a weary traveler stands at the threshold with a small bundle, eyes lowered as he turns away, hope visibly broken. Inside, the householder hesitates amid warm lamp-light, while a faint, symbolic stream of fading golden merit (puṇya) dissolves into the night air as the guest departs unhonored.","primary_figures":["householder (gṛhastha)","unhonored guest (atithi)","symbolic personification of Puṇya (optional, as golden aura)"],"setting":"village home threshold with tulasi-vṛndāvana nearby, earthen lamps, simple utensils, evening sky","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["lamp-gold","smoke-gray","indigo dusk","earth-ochre","tulasi green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a South Indian household doorway with a tulasi-vṛndāvana, the atithi turning away; the gṛhastha in contrition with hands half-folded; gold leaf halo-like motifs representing puṇya dispersing, rich reds and greens, ornate borders, gem-studded accents on vessels and lamp stands.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate domestic courtyard at twilight, delicate facial expressions of regret and disappointment, cool indigo sky, fine linework on textiles, small tulasi shrine, lyrical naturalism with a winding path the guest takes away.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, warm ochres and reds, stylized eyes; the threshold scene with symbolic golden aura leaving the house as the guest exits; traditional lamp and tulasi pedestal rendered with temple-wall gravitas.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: courtyard framed by floral borders and lotus motifs; central vignette of atithi-sevā neglected, with symbolic lotuses wilting as puṇya fades; deep blues and gold, intricate patterns, devotional moral tableau."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["evening temple bell","soft footsteps departing","distant conch","crackling oil lamp","brief silence after the warning"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अनर्चितोऽतिथिः = अनर्चितः + अतिथिः; अतिथिर्गेहात् = अतिथिः + गेहात्; गेहाद्भग्नाशः = गेहात् + भग्नाशः; आजन्मसंचितात्पुण्यात् = आजन्मसंचितात् + पुण्यात्; पुण्यात्क्षणात् = पुण्यात् + क्षणात्; क्षणात्स = क्षणात् + सः; बहिर्भवेत् = बहिः + भवेत्।
FAQs
It teaches atithi-dharma: a guest should be respectfully received and cared for; neglecting them is treated as a serious moral failure.
The verse says the person is instantly deprived of the merit (puṇya) accumulated over a lifetime when a guest departs disappointed.
It frames hospitality as a form of dharma where inner virtue is measured by one’s conduct toward others, especially those who arrive seeking refuge or assistance.