“I Am Awed!” Series – Why do we Bow to the Lord’s “Feet”?

“I Am Awed!” Hindu Youth Q & A Series

A series of “Little Questions, Lucid Answers” sessions were conducted to explore the greatness and depth of Hinduism through questions posed by global Hindu Youth to Sri Ramanujamji.

The excerpts of each of these questions and answers are being presented every month by our youth.

Also, watch Sri Ramuji answer this question on our “I Am Awed” short video series on our Namadwaar E-Satsang YouTube channel –

All the parts of Bhagavan are divine.  But we always tend to say I bow down to the Lord’s Feet. The question is Why? Why do we say “I fall at the feet of the Lord”?  Why specifically the feet?

When we feel ashamed or humble we almost always bow our head down. So the answer is when we bow our head down the only thing we see is the feet. So we say I fall at your feet.

Starting with the basic fundamentals, Humans are very unique compared to other living beings. However, the way our mind, body, and speech are aligned is so amazing. If one gets hurt then would they say “OW” or would they say “WOW”? Across cultures and civilizations, everyone evokes a similar, very unique response. Depending on the situation one will give the action and sound required.

Just like that, the same thing applies to the body and the mind. When you feel proud you will stand up straight and confidently. When you feel scared your body will curl up a little bit. In the same way when we feel ashamed or humble or awestruck or wonderstruck, then,  our body position tends to change to a head-down position.

When we want to show our respect or our humility we almost always bow our head down. And when our head is down the one thing that we see is the feet. There are two main reasons why we fall at the feet of Bhagavan. One is to ask for forgiveness and the other is to seek protection. Our culture beautifully follows this even to our elders as we show respect to them also.

This is why we say “fall at the feet of the Lord “ or we say “Oh Bhagavan I clutch Your feet.”

Thaegeswi, 14 yrs, Tampa, FL
Excerpts from Sri Ramanujamji’s “Little Questions and Lucid Answers” Q&A series.

 

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