The Significance of the Auspicious Signs on the Lotus Feet of Sri Nityananda Prabhu

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The Lotus Feet Of Lord Nityananda

 

 

Nitai- .- kamala koti-candra-susitala

 

"The Lotus feet of Lord Nityananda are as cooling as a million moons."

 

The Significance of the Auspicious Signs on the Lotus Feet of Sri Nityananda Prabhu

 

conch (sankha):

This auspicious sign indicates that those who take shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda are always rescued from all sorts of afflictions.

 

Just as during the arati ceremony the conchshell is used to hold water that is offered directly after the fire of the ghee-lamp, similarly Nityananda's lotus feet hold transcendental water that soothes His devotees from the blazing fire of material miseries. Also this symbol proclaims ultimate victory for the devotees, since the conchshell mark on His feet contains the entire ocean of material existence that may now be easily crossed. This mark also shows that those who resort to Nitai's feet attain complete fearlessness.

 

Flag (dhvaja):

This sign proclaims that devotees meditating on His feet, are given security and safe protection from all sorts of fears.

 

Fish (matsya): This sign indicates that just as a fish cannot live without water, similarly the surrendered devotee cannot live a moment without directly associating with His feet. It also shows that all of the most cherished desires and longings of those who resort to Nitai's feet will be truly fulfilled. Furthermore it refers to the mind which is very fickle, just like a fish wavering this way and that, which after much meditation on His feet, finally enters the heart . It also indicates that Nitai's feet will come to dwell in one's heart only if the heart has been liquified by soft loving emotions, for His feet do not thrive where it is dry.

 

Lotus (Kamala):

This sign represents the increase of greed for nectar in the minds of the bee like devotees who meditate on Nitai's feet. The lotus also signifies that just as a lotus grows out of water, similarly those whose eyes swell with tears upon holding the Divine lotus feet of Srila Nityananda Prabhu to their heart, receive the highest benefit. This mark also shows that the goddess of fortune, Sri Laksmi Devi always resides at His feet rendering humble service. It signifies that His feet are so soft that they can only be compared to lotus petals. Indeed, upon first glancing at His lotus feet, you feel that you are directly perceiving fresh lotus blossoms by day which contract at night. Similarly those who remain steeped in meditation on His feet always feel the blossoming unfolding of brilliant sattvika ecstasies that dispel the darkness of ignorance. It also means that the bee of the devotee's mind cannot fly beyond the bondage of dry jnana (knowledge) and vairagya (renunciation) without the temptation rendered by the superior nectar of His lotus feet.

 

Bow (dhanu):

This mark reveals that those who take shelter of Nitai's lotus feet will be perpetually freed from all anxieties and difficulties. It also shows that those who are stupefied in the material world remain motionless like a target and do not come to His feet. On the other hand, those who come to the ultimate goal of His feet remain there and never go back to the material world. Furthermore, when the mind of the devotee meets the target of His feet, then prema ensues swelling up and overflows as the tears shower from his eyes.

 

Goad (ankusa):

This sign indicates that meditation on Nitai's feet brings the elephants of the devotee's minds under control and keeps them on the right path. It also shows that those who stay on the path toward His feet become superior among men, just as one riding on top of an elephant travels far above the rest.

 

Altar (vedi):

This sign proclaims that the sins of those who meditate upon His feet are burned up as if on the altar of sacrifice. Furthermore, it indicates that just as the universe is nourished by the brahmanas offering fire-sacrifices, similarly those who offer their minds in sacrifice to His feet stimulate universal nourishment that affects all of creation.

 

Half Moon (ardha-candra):

This mark symbolizes how His feet truly provide the desired objectives of the devotees. It signifies that even devatas like Lord Siva (whose symbol is a half moon) have decorated their own heads with the soles of His feet. It also shows that devotees who likewise decorate their own heads with His feet can become exalted like Lord Siva. Just as the moon showers nectar with its cooling rays, similarly Nitai's lotus feet shower nectar upon the devotees, extinguishing the three-fold material miseries. So that the minds of the devotees may reside at His feet, They bear the symbol of the moon (which is the devata or presiding deity of the mind). Just as the moon is one, though it destroys the darkness seen by many people simultaneously, similarly the Lord is one though His cleverness can deliver many souls at the same time. The half-moon also indicates that since His toenails appear like ten splendorously full moons, the real moon has shriveled up in shame and appears in half form.

 

Pitcher (kalasa):

This symbol shows that Nitai's feet hold the golden pitcher full of purely nectarine ambrosia to be freely consumed by the surrendered souls.

 

Indeed, they will never be bereft of nectar, for this pitcher always remains full. This mark also indicates that His feet can pour out nectar that extinguishes the blazing three-fold miseries of the separated devotees. The full pitcher is a sign that no inauspiciousness can come near His devotees. Rather His feet bring ripples of happiness emanating from divine auspiciousness.

 

Disk (cakra):

This mark cuts down the six enemies of the devotees - lust, anger, greed illusion, envy and bewilderment. It indicates teja-tattva, or the principle of brilliance by which He destroys the darkness of sins from within His devotee's heart.

 

Sky (ambara):

This sign indicates that His feet are all pervading throughout the entire creation, both within and without all manifestations. It also shows that even though His feet are everywhere, they are unattached just like the sky.

 

Umbrella (catra):

This sign proves that those who take shelter of Nitai's feet are shielded from the incessant rainfall of material miseries. It also denotes that those who sit in the shade of His feet become exalted just like maharajas (great kings), who usually have umbrellas held over their heads.

 

Cow-hoof (gospada):

This mark signifies that for those who have taken full shelter of uninterrupted meditation on His feet, the great ocean of worldy existence becomes very minute and insignificant like the water held in a calf's hoof-print and is thus easily crossed over.

 

Thunderbolt (vrajra):

This mark reveals that meditation on Nitai's feet smashes to pieces the mountain of His devotee's karmic reactions to past sins. It also indicates that whoever holds on to His feet becomes as exalted as Lord Indra (whose weapon is the thunderbolt).

 

Rose-apple (Jamby-phala):

This sign is an indicator that His feet are the only objects to be worshiped for all those who are residents of this region of Jambudvipa ('Island of the rose-apple' according to Vedic cosmography).

 

Club (gada):

This symbol is to demonstrate that Nitai's feet are capable of chastising the elephant of sinful lust. It further indicates that for whoever take shelter of His feet, all their ancestors will also receive benefit.

 

Spear (Sakti):

This sign assures those who wish to have the miserable bonds of the mundane sphere released. For those who take shelter of Nitai, His feet immediately appear to slash all their entanglements and difficulties. It also indicates that He is saktimana or the natural possessor of all divine potencies, whereas His servants are not endowed with separate, independent power but are completely dependent on Him.

 

Flower (puspa):

This symbol refers to the divine fame of His feet which spreads everywhere just like the fragrance of a flower. It also shows that His feet are not hard, but as soft as flower petals. It also means that just as every fruit comes into being after the plant blooms, similarly all spiritual fruits come into being after first blossoming at the soles of His feet.

 

Creeper (valli):

This sign symbolizes how intelligent persons hold on to the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda firmly just as a creeper firmly grasps whatever it is ascending.

 

Plow (hala):

H.H. Gour Govinda Swami in his book 'The Flow of Nectar' explains: "Balarama is Nityananda Prabhu. His lotus feet are as cool as the cooling effect of scores of moons. Balarama has a plow in his hand, and Krsna a flute.

 

In the beginning, cultivation - karsana is necessary. Then all the nasty weed-like elements will be rooted out. The field should be cultivated properly with the plow of Balarama, then the field of the heart - hrdaya-ksetra - becomes fertile and the seed of the devotional creeper - bhakti lata - may be sown. After proper cultivation by the plow of Nityananda/Balarama when the land is fertile, then the seed should be sown. Then as one develops prema bhakti he will be attracted by Krsna's flute. The flute is - mans akarsna - attraction, Karsana - akarsana cultivation and enchantment".

 

Sources given: Srimad Bhagavatam, Srartha - darsini (Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti's Bhagavatam commentary), Ananda-candrika (Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura's tika on Govinda-lilamrta), Visvanatha's Rupa Cintamani, Jiva Goswami's Sri kara-.-yugala-samahti, Skanda Purana, Matsya Purana, Garga Samhita, and numerous other quotes and compilations.