Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 5
अतिथिर्यस्य भग्नाशो गृहात्प्रतिनिवर्तते । स दत्त्वा दुष्कृतं तस्मै पुण्यमादाय गच्छति
atithiryasya bhagnāśo gṛhātpratinivartate | sa dattvā duṣkṛtaṃ tasmai puṇyamādāya gacchati
अतिथिर्यस्य भग्नाशो गृहात्प्रतिनिवर्तते। स दत्त्वा दुष्कृतं तस्मै पुण्यमादाय गच्छति॥
Sūta
Scene: A weary guest turns back from a doorway, head lowered; inside, the negligent householder remains indifferent. A subtle, symbolic transfer of light (puṇya) leaving the house and shadow (pāpa) entering it.
FAQs
Neglecting a guest has immediate karmic consequences: merit is lost and demerit is gained.
No particular tīrtha is mentioned; the verse teaches universal dharma within a tīrtha-māhātmya setting.
The implied prescription is to satisfy and honor the atithi so he does not depart disappointed.
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