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Growing up, whenever we visited India, every family we visited, my mom would whisper in my ear, “Make sure you touch their feet.” I would do so dutifully, only to have some of the men always say, “Daughters shouldn’t touch feet.” This was because in many sub Hindu castes, the daughter is a reflection of Goddess Laxmi and thus, her touching feet is not considered good luck for the one whose feet are being touched in Indian culture.
One day I asked my mom, “Why do you make me do it, when they say I don’t need to?”
She replied laughing, “What does it matter? What do we lose by giving that respect to them. It gives you a good workout none the less!”
There are many ways people touch feet. Also known as Charan Sparsh, it has been followed for ages, probably since the Vedic period. Many people over the phone even simply say the words to relay the feeling. Sadarpranam is another phrase used.
Today, I do request my children to touch our feet. One their birthdays and the day they succeed at something or achieve a milestone. Do I force them? No. As with everything, I will let time and them decide what they do as they grow older. For now, I have explained the below to them for …
There are many reasons behind the Indian tradition of touching feet.
Giving Respect
The truth is, whether they want to, or not, the smile an elder gets when you give them that respect is truly wonderful to see. A simple act of bowing down to touch someone’s feet to seek blessings from their aura, setting our ego aside is just a sign of respect. Respect for the experiences, age or success of another.
There is science and tradition behind the act itself, but that smile is an indulgent one that shows us that they appreciate it. And the beauty of blessings and good wishes cannot be denied.
Get Blessings
I have always believed in earning good will.
Every single time, I am in trouble, stressed or happy about something, I go online and share it or ask people for wishes. I do believe in vibes and the fact, that wishes when passed on in a moment of pure feeling always help us succeed.
And who has the purest of wishes for us, more than those ahead of us in age, wisdom or familial link?
Positive words of “Long life” or “May you succeed” or “Be successful” simply slip out of the mouth the moment you touch someone’s feet and there is nothing untoward about that. The elders touch your head with emotions filled with Karuna (affection) and bless you. This emits positive vibes from the elders, which are passed on to you.
Science
The human body is said to contain negative and positive current. The left side of the body is said to carry the negative current while the right side of the body carries positive energy. When a person touches the feet of another person, the two bodies connect with each other, which creates a complete circuit of positive and negative energy.
It is said that touching the feet of elders also has a biological significance. The nerves are spread all over the body of a human. Some of them end at the toes of the feet and the fingertips of our hands. So, when the fingertips of a person touch the toes of his her elders, the finger becomes the receptor of energy, thereby, accepting energy emitted from the body of the elders, while the toes of the elders become the giver of energy.
Health Benefits
And bending over touching our toes is a legit exercise. Imaging touching the feet of elders in the home every single day (in a joint family). Half a work out done!
As per Indian scholars, there are three ways of touching feet. The first one is the basic way of bending forward and touching the feet. The second is to sit on your knees and then touch the feet of the other person. The third and last one requires you to lie down on your stomach, with your forehead touching the ground, which is also known as the Sashtang Pranam, generally practiced by devotees in Hindu temples. While bending forward to touch feet, your back and waist are stretched.
When you sit on your knees and then touch the feet of an elder, your knees are bent and all of the joints in your body are stretched, which relieves you from joint pain. While engaging Sashtang Pranam, your entire body stretches and body pain is cured.
Defining Relations/Hierarchy
In India, people touch the feet of their elder brothers, parents, grandparents, teachers, spiritual gurus and other senior citizens.
Only the feet of elders and such respectable people are touched because all through their life, they have acquired a lot of knowledge, experience and virtues, which prove to be extremely powerful and benefitting for the ones who show them respect and seek their blessings.
In recent times, as people live far from their direct family, we often touch the feet of those who we would love to develop a bond with. Like on my 15th anniversary, my friends’ parents came over and I touched their feet out of how much I miss my parents and told them how they represent all OUR elders back in India.
Now, coming to one controversial aspect of this is whether women should touch their husband’s feet? Or siblings each other? As for me, I do touch my husband’s feet once every year on Karvachauth. He is one year older than me, and the rudder of my life. Always pointing me in the right direction and helping me reach for my dreams, so yes, I do not feel any less touching his feet.But this ofcourse is very personal and not everyone should and would choose what another does.
Occasions for touching feet in India
Indians touch the feet of their elders on various occasions in their daily life, such as:
• When starting something new
• When milestones are achieved
• Before going on a trip
• Before an exam or an important meeting
• When an elder guest comes to your house or you go their house
So, contrary to the times we live in, there is really no downside for putting our ego aside and touching the feet of those who are older to us in various respects. Tomorrow though, if my children choose not to, I would not force them. But if they do carry forward this beautiful tradition, I hope they remember these wonderful benefits.
I would add the caveat though the respect should be given to only those who you feel the same for. Not just to get “points” in a relationship or as an obligation. If the feeling does not come from within, or your gut says otherwise, do whatever your heart says. For any exchange of energies is beneficial only when done so with honesty.
Read quick stories of Indian culture redefined in today’s landscape in WITHIN (Short stories for the Evolving Multicultural Woman)
3 Responses
So just wondering is it acceptable for a non-Indian not from India no India background to show respect in the touching of the feet of an elder ? Or is it frowned on
If a non-Indian does it, then Indians will instantly start to like them.
Anyone can do this, just have to be mindful of its nuisances: i.e. person is typically older; wiser; in a position of power.
The idea is to show respect and recieve their blessings in return.