April 20th

Sanskrit Pearl of the day:
पादाभ्यां न स्पृशेदग्निं गुरुं ब्राह्मणमेव च ।
नैव गां न कुमारीं च न वृद्धं न शिशुं तथा ॥
- चाणक्य नीति

Transliteration:
pādābhyāṃ na spṛśedagniṃ guruṃ brāhmaṇameva ca ।
naiva gāṃ na kumārīṃ ca na vṛddhaṃ na śiśuṃ tathā ॥
- cāṇakya nīti

Meaning of the subhAShita:

Do not ever touch with (your) feet: fire, a teacher (guru), a brahmin (learned person), a cow, an unmarried girl, the elderly, or a child either.

Commentary:

Reverence for others is part and parcel of our culture and is depicted and practised in many symbolic forms. Showing or touching others with one's feet have never been accepted as a symbol of respect or good manners. The purpose of feet is to make one mobile, not for disrespecting others. Especially with regard to a few elite, it is even frowned upon!

• Fire (agni) is the purest, noblest and grandest emblem of supreme power. Agni is one of the 5 elements. Why only agni when there are other 4 elements too?! The reason is: Fire always rises upwards unlike any other element. Also, one can pollute the air, water, sound and space (which too, are forms of God), but there is no such thing as fire pollution!  It is uncontaminated and is a purifier, which is why it is called pāvaka (that which purifies). Hence, reverence to the manifestation of the Supreme in it's purest form, as Fire, is upheld.
• A guru is not just a teacher in school. A mother and father are a child's primary gurus. Anyone else whom he meets along the way and learns a lesson or two from should also be revered as a guru. Reverence to all these teachers is commanded.
• A brahmin is a symbol of learning. Whether he is one's guru or not, reverence is expressed to the knowledge in him.
• A cow is considered the mother of all worlds (गावो लोकस्य मातरः -gāvo lokasya mātaraḥ). It is the most pious animal and is hence a symbol of piety. Reverence to the cow is hence validated.
• Women are worshipped and honored always. Even Gods are displeased when they are disrespected. An unmarried young girl is even more revered because she is a symbol of purity. Negligence towards her is unacceptable!
• The elderly are the backbones of society. Without their guidance and experience, youngsters would be nowhere. They would have to start all over, every generation having to re-invent the wheel to try and progress onwards :). Their age and experience are always revered.
• A child is as innocent as can be! A child under 5 yrs of age is considered closest to the Supreme. They know no malice and have no hatred. Their egos are undeveloped. That divinity in them is revered.

Once reverence is accepted towards these elite beings, how can they be disrespected by touching with feet? Feet are the lowest of one's organs, do not offer them to the revered.

Keep your feet to yourself and keep your manners! Be courteous as well as respectful of the divinity in others.

pada vigrahaH:
पादाभ्यां न स्पृशेत् अग्निं गुरुं ब्राह्मणम् एव च ।
pādābhyāṃ na spṛśet agniṃ guruṃ brāhmaṇam eva ca ।

न एव गां न कुमारीं च न वृद्धं न शिशुं तथा ॥
na eva gāṃ na kumārīṃ ca na vṛddhaṃ na śiśuṃ tathā ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
paadaabhyaaM na spRushedagniM guruM braahmaNameva cha ।
naiva gaaM na kumaarIM cha na vRuddhaM na shishuM tathaa ॥
- chaaNakya nIti

paadaabhyaaM na spRushet agniM guruM braahmaNam eva cha ।

na eva gaaM na kumaarIM cha na vRuddhaM na shishuM tathaa ॥