Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 24
अतिथिरुवाच । भोजनं द्विविधं विप्रा प्राकृतं परमं तथा । तदहं सम्यगिच्छामि दत्तं परमभोजनम्
atithiruvāca | bhojanaṃ dvividhaṃ viprā prākṛtaṃ paramaṃ tathā | tadahaṃ samyagicchāmi dattaṃ paramabhojanam
அதிதி கூறினார்—ஓ விப்ரர்களே, உணவு இருவகை: பிராக்ருதம் (சாதாரணம்) மற்றும் பரமம். ஆகவே அர்ப்பணிக்கப்பட வேண்டிய அந்த பரம-போஜனத்தையே நான் உண்மையாய் விரும்புகிறேன்.
Atithi (the disguised holy brāhmaṇa; context suggests Bhāskara in vipra-form)
Listener: Brāhmaṇas/household (collective)
Scene: A dignified guest (dvija/atithi) speaks before assembled brāhmaṇas, requesting the ‘supreme food’; the household listens with folded hands, a ritual setting with vessels, water-pot, and a clean dining space.
FAQs
Hospitality is not merely material; ‘supreme food’ points to the highest, most dharmic offering—given with purity, reverence, and right intention.
No specific tīrtha is named; the focus is the dharma of giving and the spiritual quality of offerings.
The concept of offering ‘parama-bhojana’ to an atithi is introduced, implying elevated, sanctified hospitality.