Swami says: "Feet" do not mean sandals made in silver or gold. Feet refer to the Divine that sustains everything. Why is such greatness conferred on the feet? Viewing the matter from the point of view of science, it will be noted that blood flows from the feet upwards to all parts of the body. It is this blood that sustains the entire body. The feet that bear the burden of the entire body are essential for life itself. When you seek refuge in the Lord's feet, you can secure a vision of the Divine form.

This quiz is an offering on the Lotus Feet of the Lord at the Lotus Feet of the Lord in this auspicious month of His Advent.

Let’s go!

1. The Lord’s Instruction

October 20 every year is celebrated as Avatar Declaration Day. What was the bhajan taught on October 20, 1940 that has gained popularity as the first prayer taught to devotees by Swami?

2. Pada darshanam Papa nashanam – Darshan of the Lord’s Feet Destroys Sin

A popular bhajan (Kausalyatmaja Rama charan) about the Lotus Feet of Lord Rama mentions the names of five persons who were dearest to the Lord. One of these is the name of a devotee who was redeemed by the mere touch of the Lord’s feet. What is the name of this devotee whose very name brings out the power of the Lotus Feet?

3. The Gift of Joy

Swami, in the Ramakatha Rasavahini, describes the emotionally charged scene when Bharatha and Shatrughna had to return to Ayodhya after failing in their attempts to convince Rama to return to His kingdom.

He narrates what Rama advised Bharatha, after declining to return with him: “Be ever aware of this truth; throw away the shroud of grief; take up the burden of empire; rule over it for 14 years with justice and rectitude as your ideals. The King is the face of the State. For, the face eats and drinks and thus strengthens and activates all the limbs of the body. The King feeds and sustains every section of his people. The mind encloses within itself all likes and dislikes; so too, the King is the repository of all moves and movements in the political field."

Rama expounded many a useful doctrine of political ethics to Bharatha. But, Bharatha was too agitated to earn mental peace as a result of Rama's advice. The mothers, teachers, and ministers stood benumbed, for they too were overcome by the imminence of the moment of parting.

At this critical juncture, Rama gave Bharatha a gift, which alleviated his misery and gifted him with contentment. What was the unique gift which converted his grief into joy?

4. Simple and Staunch Faith in the Lotus Feet

Swami in the Ramakatha Rasavahini narrates a charming incident with a boatman:

“Guha, the Nishada chieftain, summons a boatman to ferry Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana over the Ganga to the forest on the other bank. The boatman was delighted, but he was strangely very insistent that he wash Lord Rama’s feet before He could step into the boat.”

Why do you think the boatman was insistent that Lord Rama’s feet be washed before He even stepped into the boat?

5. The Real Significance of the Lotus Feet

Swami says:

To earn the grace of the Divine, the easy way is surrendering at the Feet of the Lord. The feet, which were washed by Brahma, the creator, the feet which were worshipped by Bharatha through Rama's sandals, which ruled the kingdom of Ayodhya for 14 years, should be your object of worship.

There is so much power in the feet of the Lord which you cannot understand. The feet form the basis for not only the physical frame of the body; but also for spiritual and ethical purposes. The significance of each limb of the body is explained in Vedanta. The five senses of the body represent the five elements (sound is ether, touch is air, vision is fire, taste is water and smell is earth).

In the Purusha Sukta, the body of the Divine is described in detail. The four varnas in society are represented by four parts of the Cosmic Person Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. It is the feet that support the entire body, comprising the other three classes. So the feet are an important part of the body. The real significance of the feet is not properly understood by all.

The Vedas proclaim the unity of all classes of people by describing them as limb of one body. The Vedas declare that "Ekatma Sarvabhuta antaratma" (same Atma is present in all beings).

The Vedas elucidate the importance of the feet. Even in ordinary life we advise a person who has harmed another to fall at the latter's feet and beg his pardon to escape legal action. There is a close link between the different parts of the body. When one walks on the road, if the eye sees a thorn, the legs avoid treading on it. When the foot is injured, the eye sheds tears. There is such close co-ordination in the physical body. Similarly in the body of the Divine, the Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras form an integral part. If a Shudra is in trouble, the Brahmana should be concerned. When such feelings develop in the world, there will be peace and harmony in society. Everyone should realise this and foster unity.

Embodiments of love! The Prema tatva (Love principle) is within you. What you are practising now as love is not real love. It is only affection out of Anuraga (attachment to the body). Real love is unchanging. The feeling of love to the Divine is real devotion 'emanating from the heart'.

What do you think is the important message that Swami is building up here?

6. The Greatest Offering at the Lord’s Feet

Swami narrates the story of Emperor Bali:

Prahlada's son was Virochana and the hero of the story behind the Onam festival, was the son of Virochana. He was named Balichakravarthi (Bali, the Emperor). Being the grandson of the devout Prahlada, Bali too was engaged in the glorification of God and in the material and spiritual uplift of his subjects. There was no trace of poverty or ill health in his empire. Every home was lit with joy; every day was festive occasion.

He decided to celebrate an elaborate sacrificial rite called Viswajith, which would propitiate the Gods so much that, with their blessings, he could extend his beneficent rule over the entire world. The Lord utilised this opportunity to shower Grace on him. He incarnated as Vamana and proceeded to the sacrificial altar in the form of a mendicant student, just initiated into spiritual life. Bali was happy to welcome Him. When Vamana was asked, which gift he would accept, He replied that he needed only three feet of ground, measured by His feet. Bali was surprised at this answer. For a short second, he doubted the intention and identity of the strange visitor. His preceptor, Sukra, warned him against promising to agree. But, Bali stood by his word. He permitted Vamana to measure for Himself the three feet of ground…”

The Lord as Vamana then covered the entire earth with one step, the sky with the second, and was waiting to take the third step. But there was no space left for the third step.

What do you think Emperor Bali did then?

7. The Deadly Dance of the Lotus Feet

Swami describes the dance of Krishna on the hood of Kaliya.

He says: “Kaliya is a huge, big serpent, full of poison, rolling in death and destruction. Krishna saw the carcasses of animals that had died when they inhaled the poisoned air near the Kaliya pool, and birds had fallen dead on the ground. Nothing green could survive in the neighbourhood. As soon as Krishna jumped into the pool to save the region from the serpent’s havoc, His companions ran home to bring the parents, so that they could intercede and stop the foolish pranks of their mischievous son. They were in great panic. Only Radha was calm and collected. She knew that for Him, it was a minute’s fun, a moment’s resolve. He had no objective desires (vishaya), so poison (visha) could not affect Him”.

He goes on: “When Krishna danced on the head of Kaliya (incidentally I might add, you should make your hearts as smooth and soft as the hood of the snake), the poison was all vomited! And the serpent was subdued”.

What do you think Swami described as the poison that is removed by the dance of the Lotus Feet on the smooth and soft hearts of the devotee?

8. The Purusharthas and the Holy Feet

Four goals have been prescribed by the scriptures for human life. They are Dharma (Righteousness), Artha (acquisition of wealth), Kama (pursuit of desires) and Moksha (liberation). Swami describes one of these as those on which all others rest and compares it to the feet of the human body.

Which do you think is the base for all other goals?

9. To Capture the Lord – True Meaning of Padasevanam

Swami narrates a beautiful tale to teach us an important lesson:

Once, the cowherd maidens (gopikas) became tired of Krishna’s mischievous pranks. In spite of their best efforts, they could not catch Him. Therefore, one day Krishna thought: “The poor gopikas are pure-hearted; they are innocent and totally devoid of selfishness. It is not proper on My part to escape from them whenever they try to catch Me. I am the servant of devotees (bhaktaparadhina), and I should not put My devotees to hardship. This time, I will let them catch Me.”

He devised a plan by which gopikas could know His whereabouts and catch Him. Sensing that Krishna was in the house of a particular gopika, all others stood like soldiers around the compound wall so that He could not escape from them.

What do you think Krishna did?

10. From External to Inner Worship

Swami says: Mere worshipping of padhukas, chanting the name of God or contemplating on His form is not sufficient to bring about this unification. These correspond to the outward path (pravritti marga). You should take to the inward path (nivritti marga). Only then can you understand the principle of unity.

What do you think is the unification that Swami is talking about here?