Why Touching A Teacher’s Feet Is Considered Respectful In Indian Culture
Indian culture has reverence and respect for elders and teachers entrenched in its customs. One of the many forms of showing thanks includes bowing down to touch the feet of a teacher or an elder. This act is called Charan Sparsh, and it goes beyond just the act itself; it is an act of submission of one's ego, positive energy transfer, and recognising the teacher’s importance in life.
Why Do Students Touch Their Teacher’s Feet?
The students prostrate themselves before the feet of their teacher as a sign of great respect, humility, and gratitude towards the knowledge that is being given to them. In the Indian way of thinking, the position of a Guru is as high as that of a parent and even a deity because the Guru is the one who guides you from darkness to enlightenment.
What Is The Meaning Of Guru Charan Sparsh?
The word Guru Charan Sparsh is a direct translation of its Sanskrit meaning:
Guru: The teacher, either spiritually or academically, who drives out darkness.
Charan: Feet.
Sparsh: Touch.
Going beyond physical touch, there is also a spiritual connection established through Charan Sparsh. The act of touching the feet of one's guru, which is then followed by the guru touching the student's head and blessing them (Aashirvaad), completes the good energy exchange between the two.
The Significance Of Feet In Indian Culture
Feet are a symbol of the long journey of one’s life, character, and righteous behaviour (Dharma).
It is said in ancient Vedic culture that the good vibrations from spirituality travel along the nervous system endings present in the extremities of hands and feet. By touching the feet of a noble teacher, the student gets the good vibrations.
What Is The Guru-Shishya Tradition?
Feet touching is an old practice that finds its roots in the traditional Guru-Shishya Parampara.
In ancient Indian gurukuls, disciples used to live with their gurus in order to learn various subjects along with ethics, skills, and spirituality. In this divine relationship, submission of ego was deemed necessary before receiving education. Charan Sparsh used to be performed by the disciple every day as a token of respect for this divine relationship between guru and shishya.
Conclusion
Touching the feet of a teacher remains an important tradition in Indian culture, reflecting the humility and respect owed by a student to their mentor. This tradition not only remains a ritual but also represents the unending connection between a teacher and a student.
Image credits: Freepik
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- Q1: What should a teacher say or do when a student touches their feet?
- Traditionally, the teacher places their right hand on the student's head or shoulders and offers heartfelt blessings for knowledge, prosperity, health, and long life.
- Q2: Is touching feet compulsory in modern Indian schools?
- No, it is not compulsory. While modern schools encourage polite greetings like 'Namaste' or 'Good morning ', many students voluntarily perform Charan Sparsh during special occasions like Teachers' Day or graduation.
- Q3: Can girls touch a teacher's feet according to Indian tradition?
- Yes, students of all genders touch their teachers' feet as an act of gratitude and reverence for knowledge.
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