Why did Bharat ask for lord Shri Ram’s Paduka?
Why did Lord Krishna make Dhraupadhi fall at the feet of Bheeshma?
Why did the disciples, in ancient times, return with their guru’s Padukas after completing their studies at the feet of their guru and worship them, reminiscing about the Guru tattva?
Why Shri Aarti mentions, “Jinki Pad Nakh Jyoti Se Aalokit Sansar”?
In the philosophy of Dakshinamurthy, the worship of Divine Paduka (footwear) is adopted. Sri Adi Shankaracharya composed the Guru Paduka Stotram, expressing its importance for any seeker of the Guru’s grace. Let’s understand the syllabus of Paduka.
Pa’ means Paati – to protect. It is the grace of the Guru that protects.
‘Du’ means Dunoti – burns away. When the worship of the Padukas is done regularly it helps to burn away negative tendencies slowly and steadily
‘Kaa’ means Kaashate – to shine. A person shines in one’s true glory when all the negativities are gone.
There is atonement at the Lotus feet of the Guru, therefore, seek refuge there. The easiest method to receive God’s grace is to surrender at the feet of the Lord. It gets rid of gross ignorance and arrogance. This is illustrated in the Mahabharata by an incident in which Bheeshma vowed to either kill the Pandavas or die in battle the next day, and Krishna suggested Draupadi bow down at his feet to gain his blessings for saving the Pandavas. A similar refuge was granted to Durvasa from King Ambrisha. We encourage someone who has hurt someone else to approach and ask for forgiveness at his feet.
The body’s physical structure, as well as its moral and spiritual components, is based on the feet. Vedanta explains every part of the body is supported by the feet. The feet are, therefore, a vital component of the body. All seven chakras are manifested in the sole. The Sahasrara’s (crown chakra) nerves extend down to the holy feet. The inner self’s kinetic energy vibrations continue to radiate from the holy feet. In Chinese medicine, the body contains many acupunctures, meridian, which congregate at the feet. Kularnava Tantra says the Guru’s sandals protect all negativities. Because the energy of the Guru also resides in the holy feet, the Guru’s footwear and feet are worshipped. Reminding the devotees of the Guru’s almighty power and wisdom enables them to connect with that energy even when they are not physically present with the Guru.
According to the Manduka Upanishad and Guru Gita, the two components of the phrase So’Ham, which translates to “I am that” are the Guru’s holy feet. Ham is Shiva (complete consciousness, masculine) and So is Shakti (energy, feminine). “One can travel smoothly across the ocean of this world, ignite the light of knowledge, and dry up the filth of one’s sins with the water of the Guru’s holy feet” – Guru Gita.
Lastly, worshipping the feet of the Guru is one of the nine forms of devotion called “Paadseva”. It can be done in physical or mental form. According to Swami Muktananda, the nectar that flows in the Guru’s residence in Sahasrara is what will make you eternal, not the water of the Guru’s actual holy feet. This nectar can only be obtained by the Guru’s grace. This nectar starts to flow during meditation as the mind settles into the Sahasrara. You can only claim to have consumed the water of the Guru’s holy feet after consuming this nectar. It is not the water from the Guru’s bodily holy feet that counts. The actual holy feet of the Guru are in the Sahasrara; the nectar flowing from them grants immortality.
Poet EknathJi says, “By the dust of my Guru’s feet all the work was accomplished.” The true tribute to the feet of the Guru is to follow His wisdom and walk in His footsteps with whole faith and submission.
References:
- https://www.chinmayaupahar.in/blog/padukas-why-worship-them/
- https://www.srigaurangashram.in/Guru%20Purnima%202015.html/