Katha Upanishad 1.8
beginner
आशाप्रतीक्षे संगतं सूनृतां चेष्टापूर्ते पुत्रपशूंश्च सर्वान्। एतद्वृङ्क्ते पुरुषस्याल्पमेधसो यस्यानश्नन्वसति ब्राह्मणो गृहे॥
āśāpratīkṣe saṃgataṃ sūnṛtāṃ ceṣṭāpūrte putrapaśūṃśca sarvān | etadvṛṅkte puruṣasyālpamedaso yasyānaśnanvasati brāhmaṇo gṛhe ||
"Hope and expectation, the fruits of association and sweet speech, sacrifices and good works, sons and cattle - all these are lost to the foolish man in whose house a Brahmin guest stays without food."
What This Means:
Yama's attendants warn him: letting a guest go hungry destroys all one's merit - hopes, friendships, good deeds, family blessings - everything.
Going Deeper:
This emphasizes the supreme importance of hospitality in Vedic culture. Even Death himself must honor this dharma.
How To Apply This:
Never let a guest go hungry. This simple act of hospitality is considered supremely meritorious.
#hospitality#merit#dharma