Nine Kinds of Nectar

[Guest guest]

What are the Nine Kinds of Nectar a Householder should have?

In the Skanda Purana, it is said that a householder should always have nine kinds of nectar in his house. This makes his life happy, while possession of this divine wealth costs nothing.

1. The first thing - you should speak in a pleasant and delightful manner to anybody who comes to your house.

 

2. Secondly, look at him gently and kindly. Howsoever wicked and cruel he may be, he has come to your house as a guest, and in that, he is like a god,and hence, worthy of adoration. If you see divinity in the guest, your own divinity will be awakened.

 

3. Thirdly, treat him amiably and congenially, with your countenance reflecting friendship and goodwill.

 

4. The fourth thing is that your heart should be full of love and tenderness.

 

5. Fifthly, stand up and welcome him respectfully. Even if he is your sworn enemy, and loses no opportunity to insult you, your standing up to welcome him will soften him considerably. Instead if you chose to insult him by making a snide remark, and he returns home insulted, you have paved the way for being insulted even more venomously.

 

6. The sixth thing - say a few sweet words to welcome your guest, and offer a glass of water with something to eat.

 

7. The seventh thing is to have a friendly conversation with him making affectionate enquiries like, " You have been very kind to pay me a visit; tell me What I can do for you. " etc.

 

8. The eighth thing is - sit with him for some time.

 

9. The ninth thing is that you should see him off by walking a few steps with him.

 

Whether the visitor is superior or inferior to you in any respect, bringing these nine nectars into practice will elevate you. Even the other person will leave with more respect for you in his heart.

On the other hand, if you make an ostentatious display of your wealth or furniture etc. or try to impress him with your social status, he may be impressed by your wealth and power for a while, but he will not return home being a friend of yours. He will have only negative and malicious thoughts for you. Never commit the folly of trying to impress others with your wealth. It is not good to try to establish your superiority by boasting about yourself.