________________
SOCIAL CONDITIONS
379
It was a practice that the person who received happy news used to offer liberally some presents to the messenger concerned. King
Kirtidhara presented the messenger with the diadem and a village, on receiving from the latter the news of the birth of a son to him, (21.91). Janaka offered ornaments to the persons who brought the news of the restoration of his son (30.85). Rāma gave away his waist-girdle to the person who informed him about the conditions at Ujjeni and Dasapura (33.86).
Hospitality :-To show hospitality to a guest was the sacred duty of an ancient Indian. Thus 'atithisaṁvibhāga' was one of the twelvefold duties prescribed for a lay-follower of Jainism while the follower of Brahmanical faith was required to perform 'pañca-mahāyajñas' of which one was to entertain the guest. Thus the PCV1 reveals that a guest was received with due respect and was duly entertained by the host. First of all the host got up from his seat and welcomed the guest by receiving him cordially (abbhuṭṭhio and kayaviņayapii). Then a suitable seat was Thereafter offered to the guest (dinnāsana). followed the asking of the welfare of the guest (sarirai pucchio kusalam). Then the betel leaves and perfumes were offered the guest (tambola sugandha 78.44), or was honoured in other ways. Due arrangements for the bath aud feeding of the guest were also made by the host. The PCV tells us that it was a prevailing custom among the people of the Magadha country to honour the travellers with flowers and food (2.5). Occasionally when various kings or people were invited to witness any function, the host-king provided the invitees with food, drinks, betel-leaves, flowers, sandal-perfumes and other amentities for their comfort (101.8).
to
he
Even those who had renounced the house-hold life used to receive the guests with honour and respect. Thus the PCV states that the Tapasas living in Asrama had welcomed Hariṣeņa and provided him with a seat as well as fruits and bulbs for his food (dinnasanovaviṭṭho, phalamulai kayāharo 8.155). Rama was similarly received by the Tapasas. He was shown due respect, provided with a seat, and was asked about his welfare ('asaṇaviņaovayārakusalehim' sambhāsiya 33.3). Thus we find that to show hospitality to a guest was the sacred duty of an ancient Indian.
Death-rites: It was a prevailing custom to perform the last rites of the deceased person and to mourn his death. 'peyakamma' (23.
1. 15.34-35; 19.17-18; 28.13; 78,8; 33.91f; 34:12-13; 36.38.
