Shloka 108
गृहस्थस्य सदाचारः: शौच, तर্পण, वैश्वदेव, अतिथिधर्म, भोजन-विधि, संध्योपासन, ऋतु-धर्मः
तस्मात् स्वशक्त्या राजेन्द्र सूर्योढम् अतिथिं नरः पूजयेत् पूजिते तस्मिन् पूजिताः सर्वदेवताः
tasmāt svaśaktyā rājendra sūryoḍham atithiṃ naraḥ pūjayet pūjite tasmin pūjitāḥ sarvadevatāḥ
ஆகையால், அரசர்களின் தலைவனே! மனிதன் தன் ஆற்றலுக்கேற்ப சூரியோதயத்தில் வந்த விருந்தினரைப் போற்ற வேண்டும்; அவர் போற்றப்பட்டால் எல்லாத் தேவர்களும் போற்றப்பட்டதுபோல் ஆகும்।
Sage Parāśara (teaching dharma in dialogue to Maitreya; addressed here as a kingly exemplar)
FAQs
This verse equates honoring an atithi—especially one arriving at sunrise—with honoring all the gods, making hospitality a direct act of sacred worship and social righteousness.
He emphasizes proportionality and sincerity: one should honor the guest “according to one’s means” (svaśaktyā), indicating dharma is fulfilled by devoted intent, not extravagance.
Though Vishnu is not named, the teaching reflects Vaishnava order: dharma that sustains the world is ultimately grounded in the Supreme Reality, and service to beings (like the atithi) participates in that divine cosmic governance.