Signs on the feet and hands of Srimati Radharani

[Guest guest]

Here's a list:

 

left foot

 

kamala = lotus

cakra = discus

ankusa = goad for controlling elephants

arddha candra = half moon

puspa = flower

dhvaja = flag

chatra = umbrella

vagri = a type of plant

valay = a type of ring

urddhva rekha = upward line

yava = barley corn

 

right foot

 

pravata = mountain

ratha = chariot

gada = club

sankha = conch

kundala = earring

sakti = septre or bludgeon

vedi = altar

matsya = fish

 

These are all auspicious items. As for the meanings different Acharyas

may have written about this. If someone else knows some of the meanings

please do post them.

 

jaya radhe!

 

Gaura Keshava das

 

 

On Sep 18, 2004, at 7:36 AM, Gaurangi (dasi) LOK (New Mayapur - F)

wrote:

 

> Could someone please give me the meanings of the signs on the feet and

> hands of Srimati Radharani? Thanks.

[Guest guest]

the following is from visvanatha's commentary on bhagavatam 30.28.

In the commentary on the Ujjvala Nilamani, Radha's foot markings are

mentioned as follows. At the base of the big toe of the left foot is the

mark of a barley grain, below that a cakra and below that an umbrella.

Below that is a bracelet. There is a line starting from between the big

toe and the next toe, to the middle of the sole. Below the middle toe is a

lotus ,below that a flag with staff, below the flag is a creeper and flower.

Below the little toe is an ankusa. On the bottom of the heel is a half

moon. Thus there are eleven marks on the left foot.

 

At the base of the big toe of the right foot is a conch, and below that a

club. Below the little toe is an altar, and below that an earring. Below

that is a spear. Below the first toe and others is a mountain, below the

mountain a ratha, and on the heel a fish. There are eight marks on the

right foot. The total is nineteen.

 

he does not give meanings but for Krsna's'feet which have some of the same

markings the following meanings are given:

at the base of the big right toe is a cakra, for cutting down the six

enemies of the devotee. At the base of the middle toe is a lotus, to attract

the bees of meditator's mind. Below the lotus a flag, which indicates

victory of the soul over all anarthas. At the base of the little toe is the

thunderbolt, which destroys the mountain of sins of the devotee. On the heel

is an ankusa which controls the elephant of the mind of the devotee. On the

creases of the big toe are barley grain symbols indicating enjoyment of

wealth.

[Guest guest]

You can also get the book, Padasevanam, available at Bhaktivedanta Library

Services, Belgium. All the details of the markings on the hands and feet of

Their Lordships are fully listed and described therein.