Gurubhupalvarshishtatyagividhvatapasvinaam |
Six specific types of people are here mentioned, who are worthy of respect and honour: (1) Guru - one who offers Mantra Diksha as well as a teacher who imparts knowledge, father etc; (2) Bhupal or King; (3) Varshishta - one who is elderly (Vrudha); (4) Tyagi - one who has renounced the material world, indeed everything in order to serve God - such as Sadhus who have chosen to serve the Lord instead of a Grihastrashrami - who have chosen to serve a wife!!; (5) Vidhvaan - those who are scholars - knowledgeable in the Vedas, Puranas and other Shastras; and (6) Tapasvinaam - those who perform great austerities and Vratas such as Kruchra, Chandrayana etc. in order to please the Lord. Thus these six are to be respected always, warmly welcomed and given seat.
Abhuthaanadina Karyaha Sanmaano Vinayanvitaiha ||
One should arise from their seat, humbly bow before such persons (Vinaya Purvak) and accord a warm welcome (Sanmaana) by offering seat - Tena Sanmaana Adaraha Kaaryaha.
Shatanand explains that we should physically go to them to welcome them and take a seat only after the respected person has been seated. Those who do not accord a warm welcome cause great tyranny from such misdeed. They cause great insult to such decorated persons.
Shrimad Bhagwat’s 6th Chaptar explains, ‘Indra did not properly welcome Guru Brihaspati and as a result the Devas faced defeat at the hands of the Asuras.’ The 8th Chaptar also adds, ‘The King Indradyumna was cursed to bear the reproductive organ of an elephant for failing to properly welcome Agastya Rishi.’ Not to forget our Lord Nar-Narayana, whom did Durvasa curse for the same reason that brought about the Lord’s supreme incarnation of Swaminarayan.
Shatanand explains that even if a person himself is elderly and his Guru is younger than he is, a courteous welcome should ensue. Vayu Purana exclaims: Atithyam Chaadareva Shaktya Kurvan Sukhi Bhaveda - ‘Welcome and respect others and enjoy bliss!’
This is again the beauty of our great Sanatan Dharma that extols respect of all beings. Those great people who display revered qualities are worthy of respect regardless of age, caste etc. I’m sure that if all were to obey this command we would all become better people. Shree Hari continues on this matter: