Atithi Devo Bhava

“ Atithi Devo Bhava” – A guest is equal to God !

Some guests truly test this maxim, I thought  after my experience with our guest. Right from the moment of stepping into our house, this guest ( I would not name the person) commanded and demanded everyone’s attention. As for neatness, well she ( yes, a she) rummaged through drawers, threw out things on the floor and created a right-royal mess. We could hardly say anything. Chaos reigned.

At the lunch- table, an alien phrase was ‘ table manners’ — using both hands for eating, looking at others’ plates, OMG …… a real experience. I was not allowed to watch television as I had to entertain the guest – so, I missed seeing the live sports action on TV as also my favorite serials. What a sacrifice to make!

In the evening the guest wanted to go down for some time. As my wife accompanied her, I breathed a sigh of relief and sank back in the sofa, but only for fifteen minutes. She was back and I was again on my roller-coaster ride. Dinner- time , a repeat of lunch. By now, our guest was tired after a long day. We were not tired but exhausted.

After changing into her pyjamas, it was finally bedtime. Very soon my little tw-year old grand-daughter was asleep with a beatific smile playing on her lips. Seeing that happily sleeping baby, my heart was full and my face broke into a big smile.

Angels, they say are the messengers of God and here was my little angel. Atithi Devo Bhava…. its meaning dawned on me.