Question about the Goddess's feet

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/30/2002 12:10:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

paulie-rainbow writes:

 

> In the image, the sole of one foot of the Goddess is visible,

> apparently decorated with Mendhi, beautiful designs. I thought that it

> was an insult to display the sole of one's foot. Is that only true for

> the Islamic population? Is there an exception for Goddesses or other

> deities? Am I misreading the image, perhaps?

>

 

Every part of the Great Goddess Durga is Sacred! Haha It may be a little

distastefull to rub your own dirty feet on someone else or point them from a

cultural standpoint. From the point of Divinity it changes though. In fact,

many temples to the Goddess and Vishnu amongst others have only an image of

the deities feet. The idea is that to gaze upon the whole figure would be to

overpowering.

 

There is a Hindu custom of touching the Gurus feet or even placing your head

at the Gurus feet as a sign of reverence. The idea is simply that you

aknowledge the Guru's superiority in whatever it is they are teaching you. A

direct way to state that they are above you in some regard.

 

There is nothing filthy, or profane about the Godesses feet for she is a pure

concept.

 

Look at Kali Ma-she is ancing on Lord Shiva's chest right now!

 

He doesn't seem to mind;-)

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/30/2002 11:10:43 AM Central Daylight Time,

paulie-rainbow writes:

 

> Is that only true for

> the Islamic population? Is there an exception for Goddesses or other

> deities? Am I misreading the image, perhaps?

>

> I appreciate your feedback.

>

> Bright Blessings,

>

> prainbow

>

 

prainbow

 

I love seeing pictures that show the Goddess, where her feet are symbolic of

her caring for her devotees and for all. I think that in Hinduism as well as

seen in images of Maa Tara in Buddhism; that the soles of the feet and the

palms of the hands are apparent in pictures in order to render blessings and

boons to devotees.

 

The feet are bathed as one enters a temple as well as the hands of a

practitioner - at least for me making my limbs and journey holy with the

anticipation of my visit. The hands and feet symbolize - relief, protection,

boons, healing and blessings. Within these symbols we see the work and

actions of the Goddess toward us. She uses all of her self in skillful ways

to help us. Like our hands and feet we use them to help ourselves and others

and hopefully not do any harm. Hands and feet being actual vehicles of

liberation. That is at least my impression. I know too that in Hinduism to

touch the feet of a realized one is said to lead to many different boons.

 

So the looking upon or adoration of or the touching of one's head to the

hands and feet of the Goddess is not a sign of subservience, as would be to a

human ruler; but a sign of asking for blessing and surrender to the Goddess.

The Goddess nor we have anything to hid in our bodies. That is just my take

on it; I am sure others have scriptures to tell of these symbols on the list.

Jai Maa

Yeshe

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I have a beautiful picture of Durga now over my altar. It is giving me

a lot of comfort and my meditations have been very satisfying, my

sleep is being restored.

 

However, I have a question.

 

In the image, the sole of one foot of the Goddess is visible,

apparently decorated with Mendhi, beautiful designs. I thought that it

was an insult to display the sole of one's foot. Is that only true for

the Islamic population? Is there an exception for Goddesses or other

deities? Am I misreading the image, perhaps?

 

I appreciate your feedback.

 

Bright Blessings,

 

prainbow

[Guest guest]

Jaya Sri Radhey! Namaste.

 

Here is an interesting article for Shakti Worshippers.

 

Is Kali Terrible?

By Swami Chetanananda

 

http://www.kalimandir.org/library/libraryhome.asp?

page=articles&item=08_is_kali.xml

 

Jaya Sri Radhey!