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—the fire, a teacher (guru), a brahmin (learned person), a cow, an unmarried girl, the elderly, or also a child.

Commentary:

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

Who are those and why?  

• Fire (Agni)—It is the purest, noblest, and grandest emblem of the Supreme power. Agni is one of the 5 elements. Then, why only Agni has been mentioned here?!  There are other 4 elements too! The reason is, that fire always rises upwards unlike any other element. (All other elements flow downwards or have no specific direction). That is why havis (oblations to Gods) are offered through fire so they can be carried upwards. 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 can never be contaminated.  Instead, it is a purifier of everything, which is why it is called pāvaka (that which purifies). Hence, reverence to the manifestation of the Supreme in its purest form as Fire is upheld.
• Guru—he/she 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.
• Brahmin - he is a symbol of learning. He is on a quest in the path of Brahman.  Whether he is one's guru or not, reverence is expressed for the knowledge in him.   
• Cow—it 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 therefore validated.
• Women—They are worshipped and honored, always. They bear children and nurture the world. Even Gods are displeased when they are disrespected. An unmarried young girl is even more revered because she is a symbol of piety and purity. Negligence towards her is unacceptable! 
• The elderly—They are the backbone of society. Without their guidance and experience, youngsters would be lost. They would have to start all over, with every generation having to rediscover fire, reinvent the wheel, and try to progress onward. The age and experience of the elderly are always revered.
• Children—They are as innocent as can be! A child under 5 years 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 to be 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 touch the revered with them.

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

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 ॥