hospitality

annam bahu kurvita- tadvratam
[Ensure abundance of food all over; This is an inviolable discipline]

Be hospitable to any one who comes to you. Give water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothing to the naked and shelter to the homeless and God will bless you.

[Greatness of Anna Daan]

When an Atithi [uninvited guest] comes to our door at noon, it is our bounden duty to welcome him and give him food. Other kinds of charities, viz, giving away wealth, property and clothes etc., require some discrimination but in the matter of food, no such consideration is necessary. All charities are imperfect without Anna Daan. Anna Daan is the best of all merits.

Lord Sri Krishna [In Mahabharata]:

"annadah pranado loke
pranadah sarvado bhavet
tasmadannam visesena
datavyam bhutimicchata"

The giver of food is the giver of life, and indeed of everything else. Therefore, one who is desirous of well being in this world and beyond, should specially endeavor to give food.

"na kamcana vasatau pratyacaksita tasmadyaya kaya ca vidhaya bahvannam prapnuyat aradhyasma annamityacaksate"

Do not turn away anyone who comes seeking your hospitality. Therefore, obtain a great abundance of anna, exert all your efforts to ensure such abundance; and welcome all seekers with the announcement that the food is ready, partake of it.