Defining Indian Identity-The Worship of Feet

    Defining Indian Identity – The Worship of Feet.

    “viṣṇōḥ padē parama” ityudita praśaṃsau
    yau “madhva utsa” iti bhōgya tayā’pyupāttau ।
    bhūyastathēti tava pāṇitala pradiṣṭau
    śrīvēṅkaṭēśa charaṇau śaraṇaṃ prapadyē ॥ 10 ॥

    I seek refuge of Sri Venkateswara’s feet,
    which are extolled (in the Rg Veda)
    as “Visnoh parame pade” (in the most exalted abode of Vishnu),
    which are, (again) extolled therein
    as “madhva utsa” (meaning the fountain the honey)
    as extremely enjoyable
    and which are indicated as such by
    the show of the palm of Thy hand.

    Defining Indian Identity – The Worship of Feet.

    Pada Vandanam, Pada Namaskaram, Pada Archanam, Pada Sevanam, Pada Puja or Worship of Feet: 

    Defining Indian Identity – The Worship of Feet.

    The land of India is a very unique place on this planet where people are culturally endowed with an ardent desire to worship feet.No other society or social community has openly exhibited this behavioral trait and feet worship could be described as the hall-mark of Indian Identity.This tradition and literal practice of feet worship was well established by the time the epic poem of Ramayana was composed. In AYODHYA KANDA,we read the very moving account of Rama touching the feet of His father Dasaratha and queen mother Kaikeyi after having received the orders for his banishment to live in the forest for fourteen years. Later in ARANYA KANDA, we read about the younger brother Bharata who literally clung to the feet of Rama seeking His refuge. Eventually,Bharata carried Rama’s sandals keeping them on his head and installs them on the throne (PADUKA PATTABHISHEKAM) and served them with great devotion for fourteen long years during Rama’s exile.  

    Defining Indian Identity – The Worship of Feet.

    India is the land where you witness people touching the feet of living persons as an act of worship.This is a fairly common event and sometimes the remembrance of such worship lingers in your mind.I would like to narrate one such event that I had witnessed in the past and my act of remembrance may add-on to the blessings these feet worshipers may be receiving even today.  

    I was traveling by train from Rajahmundry to Lucknow City to serve in the Indian Army Medical Corps. I was motivated by a desire to see the land of India with my own eyes and know its people. For the first time, I was traveling in a first class compartment and was the sole occupant. Later in the night, a lady entered the compartment and was apparently traveling alone. She was elegantly attired, looked modest and the picture of an upper middle class house wife. Early morning, when the train halted at a station, I did not realize that she had reached her destination. She was quietly seated, was not gathering her belongings and was not even looking outside to check if some one had arrived to receive her. After a little while, I had noticed three young men, well- dressed and well-groomed, all of them little older than me, checking the list of passenger names on the door of the train compartment and entered the compartment. They did not pay any attention to my presence. One after the other, they went forward to bend and touch her feet and paid their respects. The behavior of the young men that I was keenly observing was natural, spontaneous and unpretentious. That early morning hour, they were not putting up an act in a public place to impress any one. They acted in a deliberate, purposeful and reverential manner and I am very sure that they grew up in that manner and clearly they were not inhibited in displaying their respect in front of strangers. I was a silent spectator of this scene wherein an unassuming woman suddenly got transformed into a living deity. I can assure you that you would witness such a scene only in the Land of India. Hence, I would claim that the desire to worship the feet of a living person would define Indian Identity.  

    Defining Indian Identity – The Worship of Feet.

    Every deity that Indians seek to worship are better pleased when we worship their feet. PRAHLADA  describes “PADA SEVANAM” as one of the nine ways to worship VISHNU.

    Lord Rama and the Tradidtion of 'Feet Worship'
    Ramayana gives detailed accounts of the Tradition of Feet Worship.Rama worshipped the feet of His father, mother, stepmothers and His Gurus. Bharata, the younger brother of Rama had installed the sandals (Padukas) worn by Rama upon the throne had worshipped them for fourteen years.

    Indians worship feet not only as a sign of humility but also as a mark of submission, total surrender to the will of God. They touch feet as a plea for protection. This is not a mere religious rite or ritual and it actually shapes the attitudes and behavior of people. The final resting place for the individual souls (JEEVATMA)has been described as the Lotus Feet of the Lord. This is described as ‘CHARANAM’ (Feet of the Lord) ‘SHARANAM’ (Ultimate Refugee).  

    Defining Indian Identity – The Worship of Feet

    DEFINING INDIAN IDENTITY-THE FEAR OF SAMSARA

    Defining Indian Identity – The Fear of Samsara. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.

    The cultural traditions that originated in India motivate people to seek refuge or shelter at the Feet of the Lord by evoking a sense of fear and this fear is described as the fear of ” SAMSARA.” Samsara or Bhava describes the viewpoint about the human condition and deals with the problems of human existence. It contributes to a sense of apprehension and anxiety and the attitude it generates is one of intense fear and helplessness.

    Defining Indian Identity – The Fear of Samsara. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.

    Ullanghya sindho salilam saleelam
    Yaha shoka wanheen Janakaatma jaayaaha
    Aadaaya tenaiwa dadaaha Lankaa
    Namaami tam praanjali raanjaneyam

    Defining Indian Identity-The Fear of Samsara. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.

    In one great leap of faith, Lord Hanuman jumps over the sea with utmost ease, whereas crossing the sea evokes only a sense of fear in my heart. I derive some hope from the legend about the land bridge (SETU) built by the army of monkeys.The Sea God promised them that the rocks and boulders used for the construction of the bridge will be held in place and stay afloat. He did that to please Lord Rama. During my perilous journey across the ocean of SAMSARA, I use the name “RAMA” to remain afloat and live with a sense of hope and finding a direction in the absence of navigational tools and charts.

    LORD RAMA - THE MEDICINE FOR A DISEASE KNOWN AS 'SAMSARA'
    Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean. In the fearful journey described as ‘SAMSARA’, I use Lord Rama’s name as a ‘Life Jacket’ and also the name serves like a Beacon of Hope and provides a sense of direction while journeying across an uncharted, treacherous sea.

    “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom” says the Holy Bible, The Book of Proverbs, Chapter1, verse 7.

    Defining Indian Identity – The Fear of Samsara. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.

    For the religious traditions that originated outside of India such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the fear of the Lord could be a primary motivating factor to seek the worship of the Lord. On the contrary, the religious traditions that originated in the Land of India, do not encourage their adherents to entertain any such fear of the Lord. In the Indian traditions, the Lord or the Deity that Indians choose to worship would receive them with a sign that proclaims ” BE FEARLESS.” The Lord reassures them with a sign that is popularly described as ABHAYA HASTA or ABHAYA MUDRA. In Indian literature, countless number of images, idols, paintings and drawings, there are invariable references to a consistent message of ABHAYA and naturally Indians are less concerned with ” The Fear of the Lord.”  

    Defining Indian Identity – The Fear of Samsara. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.
    Defining Indian Identity – The Fear of Samsara. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.

    Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.

    Defining Indian Identity – The Fear of Samsara. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.
    Defining Indian Identity – The Fear of Samsara. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.
    Defining Indian Identity – The Fear of Samsara. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.

    Samsara is also depicted as a serious disease entity afflicting a person’s health and is referred to as ” BHAVA ROGA “.Others view Samsara as existence in a bottomless deep pit(“AGHADA”)or that of being trapped in a deep well from where an escape would not be easy.The fear of Samsara/Bhava,the human condition,has nothing to do with physical courage.The powerful idea of Samsara inspires a sense of fear in the hearts of even the most courageous of all people.Cultural traditions that have their roots in the other parts of this planet may not be aware of this kind of fear and hence the fear of Samsara could be viewed as a feature that defines and molds the Indian Identity.Indians chant the Lord’s name as a medicine to cure this terrible disease and they seek Lord’s protection to reach the shore and complete the journey across the ocean.There are numerous references in Indian literature and some verses could be quoted to illustrate the point.  

    1.SRI RAMA MANTRAM:  

    Human existence faces challenges from several directions. The concept of Samsara is an additional and significant challenge experienced by the people of Land of India. Lord Rama during His life’s journey had faced several challenges and His name gives the comfort and protection that I seek while my journey is rough and tough. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.

     Samsara sagara bahaya paha viswa mantram  

    Saksham Mumukshu jana sevita siddhi mantram  

    Saranga hasta mukha hasta nivasa mantram  

    Kaivalya mantra manesam bhaja Rama mantram.  

    This verse would banish the fear generated by the ocean like Samsara.  

    2.THE PRAYER TO LORD MAHA VISHNU:  

      

    “VANDE VISHNUM, BHAVA BHAYA HARAM” – Salutations to Lord Vishnu, the Destroyer of the Fear of Samsara. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.

    शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं
    विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्ण शुभाङ्गम् ।
    लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यम्
    वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ॥

    Shaanta-Aakaaram Bhujaga-Shayanam Padmanabham Suresham
    Vishva-Aadhaaram Gagana-Sadrusham Megha-Varnna Shubha-Anggam|
    Lakshmi-Kantam Kamala-Nayanam Yogibhir-Dhyaana-Gamyam

    Vande Vishnum Bhava-Bhaya-Haram Sarva-Loka-Eka-Naatham ||

    The prayer would destroy the fear of bhava/Samsara.  

    3.THE PRAYER TO LORD LAKSHMI NARASIMHA SWAMY:  

    THE UPLIFTING POWER OF LORD NARASIMHA TO CONQUER THE FEAR OF SAMSARA. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.

    Samsara koopa mati ghoramaghadha mulam,  

    Samprapya dukha sata sarpa samaa kulasya  

    Deenasya Deva krupayaa saranaagatasya  

    Lakshmi Nrusimha mama dehi  karavalambam.  

    The verse pleads the Lord to extend His hand and physically lift the worshiper from the horrible bottomless well of Samsara.  

    Defining Indian Identity – The Fear of Samsara. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.

    4.THE PRAYER TO LORD SHIVA:  

    LORD SHIVA, THE PROTECTOR, THE DESTROYER OF ALL FEARS. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.

    Praatarnamaami girisam girijaardha deham  

    Sarga sthiti pralaya kaarana maadi Devam  

    Visweswaram vijita viswa manobhiraamam  

    Samsara roga hara oushadha madviteeyam.  

    The verse describes Lord Shiva as the root cause of creation,sustenance and eventual destruction and the Lord’s name is the matchless medicine to wipe out the disease of Samsara.  

    5. A PRAYER FROM BHAJA GOVINDAM:  

    Guru Adi Shankaracharya describes the fear of Samsara and its resolution by seeking protection from chanting the name of GOVINDA. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.

    Punarapi jananam punarapi maranam  

    Punarapi jananee jatare sayanam  

    Eha samsaare bahu dustaare  

    Krupaya paare pahi Murare.  

    This verse seeks the compassion of Vishnu to reach the shore and to get over the problem of this difficult existence which involves repeated cycles of birth, death and rebirth.  

    6.KALI KALMASHA NAASANA MAHA MANTRAM:  

    SHODASA NAAMA MANTRAM. The Sound Energy of these 16 names would destroy all the polluting effects of our present times. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.

    Hare Rama Hare Rama-Rama Rama Hare Hare  

    Hare Krishna Hare Krishna-Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.  

    This Mantra is composed with sixteen words and hence is also known as Shodasa Nama Maha Mantram. Amongst all Vedas, there is no better device than this Mantra to seek   deliverance from the trappings of Samsara.The following verse from Kali Samtaranopanishad  proves the efficacy of this Mantra.  

    Eti Shodasha Naamnam, Kali kalmasha nasanam;   NaaTha parataropayaH, Sarva Vedeshu drusyatey.  

    Human existence is beset with countless uncertainties and difficulties which may arrive without any prior warning from different directions in an unpredictable manner. It is rational to approach life with a sense of apprehension and seek the help of the Lord who graciously held His right hand in a show of compassion and receives with a greeting of “ABHAYA” and is willing to banish the fear of Samsara. 

    Defining Indian Identity-The Fear of Samsara. The LORD is Male and Female at one and the same time. The right hand is held in the pose of Abhaya Mudra. Samsara portrays the picture of life’s journey as a tedious,difficult and challenging swim across an unknown,uncharted and treacherous ocean.

      

    A Prayer to Lord Ganesha for Success with Humility

    A Prayer to Lord Ganesha for Success with Humility.

    Lord Ganesha is unique among all deities. He has a human form with the head of an Asian elephant. Like the elephant which can grasp objects with its trunk, the entire realm of knowledge is in His grasp. In brilliance, He outshines Sun (Surya) and His radiant appearance can illuminate the entire universe. His body is so huge, it can accommodate the entire creation.

    A Prayer to Lord Ganesha for Success with Humility.

    Lord Ganesha is worshiped to remove obstacles. He removes obstacles when we contemplate actions that promote our well-being and brings us the goodwill of others and the actions should have no evil design or purpose. Lord Ganesha removes obstacles and paves the way for accomplishment and success in human endeavors. The notion that success is the result of divine sanction rather than being entirely due to personal effort, would let us reach our goals with a sense of modesty and humility.

    PRAYER TO LORD GANESHA – SUCCESS THROUGH OBEDIENCE AND HUMILITY.

    The primary goals for man have been described as Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Dharma (right conduct)is not only a goal but also is the way. The other three goals should only be reached following the way of Dharma. To prepare for the journey on the path of Dharma, the traveler finds direction from a sense of humility. The radiant and immense personality of Ganesha endows us with humility. Having reached the goals of Artha (personal wealth, social status and position), and Kama (fulfillment of desires, progeny, and family), we inevitably encounter with the consequences of the powerful effects of time. The following verse from ‘ Bhaja Govindam’ sets us on a mission to seek the fourth goal of human existence.

    A Prayer to Lord Ganesha for Success with Humility.

    The fear that time would dissolve everything we possess would help us to overcome arrogance that may be associated with acquiring wealth, family and being youthful in age.

    Sooner or later, we set our sights for the fourth goal and it will not be very easy to visualize the final destination. To achieve Moksha or Mukti, to reach the shore of liberation and conclude the journey across the ocean of Samsara, a person endowed with humility would be able to say the following prayer and get the needed help.

    A prayer to Lord Ganesha for Success with Humility. The flow of Time remains a Mystery. Man is conditioned to experience the aging process as if Time flows in a Straight Line like an Arrow.

    Human existence is permanently bound to the illusion that shapes the sensory experience of Sunrise and Sunset. Sun shines with all His radiance all the time. The living entities exist in an illusion state which helps them to mark their existence by the alternating periods of light and darkness. We do not have the biological ability to detect the spin of the Earth and we have synchronized our existence with Sunrise and Sunset and this biological rhythm, known as Solar Rhythm, Circadian Rhythm, or Diurnal Rhythm, manages several of our biological functions.

    The Grandfather Clock – The division of the day into hours, minutes, and seconds helps us to recognize the passage of time. We have no sensory perception of Earth’s spin that gives us alternate periods of light and darkness.

    It is not easy to comprehend the Ultimate Reality when the existence is synchronized with an illusion. Time’s Power of Dissolution would eventually compel us to investigate and to explore the concept of Absolute and Unchanging Reality. A prayer to Lord Ganesha would endow us with humility that we need to achieve the four primary goals and gives us success in life.

    MENTORSHIP: Bammera Potana, the well-known Telugu poet while translating the epic poem of Bhagavatam from the Sanskrit language into Telugu stated that he would narrate the story of Bhagavatam using imagination and inspiration entirely provided by Lord Rama: 

    A Prayer to Lord Ganesha for Success with Humility under the mentorship of poet Bammera Potana.
    A Prayer to Lord Ganesha for Success with Humility under the mentorship of poet Bammera Potana.

    I would like to narrate my story, describe my ideas, and share my thoughts drawing inspiration from Lord Rama. My endeavor is to destroy the state of conditioned existence called ‘Bhava’, and get over the fear of ‘Samsara’, a journey of the embodied soul across uncharted sea which constantly evokes a sense of fear of the unknown.

    A Prayer to Lord Ganesha for Success with Humility under the mentorship of Poet Bammera Potana.

    Maharishi Valmiki, Adikavi, Prime Poet, had no formal education. He was totally inspired to narrate the Story of Lord Rama called RAMAYANA. Telugu Poet Bammera Potana who also had no formal education translated the epic poem known as Bhagavatam from Sanskrit into Telugu and displayed his immense powers of creativity. He not only dedicated his work to Lord Rama but also acknowledged that every word that he used was inspired by Lord Rama. For my humble endeavor, I seek the same inspiration.

    Anyatha sharanam nasti, tvameva sharanam mamah

    Tasmat karunya bhavena, kshamasva Parameshvara. 

    I have no other refuge, Thou art my sole refuge,
    Out of a sense of compassion, protect me, O Supreme Lord! 

    A prayer to Lord Ganesha for Success with Humility.
    A Prayer to Lord Ganesha for Success with Humility. THE MAN’S EXISTENCE IS SHAPED BY FLAT EARTH WITH ARCHED DOME EXPERIENCE. THE REALITIES OF EARTH’S SHAPE AND MOTIONS ARE OVERPOWERED BY THE INFLUENCE CALLED ILLUSION.

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