{"id":11466,"date":"2013-04-16T08:00:57","date_gmt":"2013-04-16T07:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=11466"},"modified":"2013-05-01T19:34:39","modified_gmt":"2013-05-01T18:34:39","slug":"wash-my-feet-not","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=11466","title":{"rendered":"Wash My Feet Not!"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Kesava Krsna Dasa<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pope Francis has washed the feet of prisoners and has rekindled an interest in his message of humility and care for the poor, how does this resonate with the generally accepted Vaisnava tradition of spiritual leaders having their own feet washed? Or do genuine Vaisnavas resist having their feet bathed by others?<\/p>\n

We can imagine a scenario where persistent disciples of gurus insist on bathing their guru\u2019s feet. The guru may resist \u2013 persistence versus resistance. Who usually wins? In other instances, the \u2018privilege\u2019 of washing a \u2018guru\u2019s\u2019 feet is offered for a fee \u2013 but Vaisnavas would not do this.<\/p>\n

The unpaid privilege of washing a guru\u2019s feet holds lots of promise of spiritual benefits, blessings and progress. But why only gurus? Why not other sincere Vaisnavas? Or would this lead to indiscriminate foot bathing that eventually loses sanctity and meaning? It probably would.<\/p>\n

CC Antya 16.42-43 \u2014 \u015ar\u012b Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu would wash His feet in this ditch, and then He would enter the temple to see Lord Jagann\u0101tha. \u015ar\u012b Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu ordered His personal servant Govinda that no one should take the water that had washed His feet.<\/p>\n

The Pope and other Christian denominations variously observe foot bathing in honour of Jesus Christ, an empowered guru, who washed the feet of his own disciples before his crucifixion. Now, that sounds like a unique concept for Vaisnavism \u2013 guru is washing the feet of his own disciples. Do such things as this happen? The resistance factor must be 100% for this.<\/p>\n

And if the guru insists? Which disciple will disobey the orders of their guru? If the disciple disobeys, that would be an offence. If the disciple accepts, that would also be an offence. Can any disciple ever allow one\u2019s guru to wash one\u2019s feet? Then we have to ask, why would anyone allow others to wash one\u2019s own feet anyway? Isn\u2019t it embarrassing just to think of it?<\/p>\n

This dual offence consequence is probably the reason why feet washing are reserved for qualified individuals. Devotees are wary of having their feet touched by others, let alone sit down for a ritual bathing. The thought of others offloading negative karma by touching one\u2019s feet can be a deterrent, but aren\u2019t Vaisnavas supposed to be kind and merciful to absorb the sins of others, thus purifying all?<\/p>\n

In regards to the Pope, we have a situation where the washing of the feet of disciples by Jesus has extended to the washing of the feet of prisoners or other \u2018least expected\u2019 candidates. This has generated interest and it certainly has created a positive effect. \u201cA world spiritual leader is proving to be a man of the people\u2026 This is what spirituality is about\u2026\u201d might be a common observation.<\/p>\n

When this Maundy Thursday deed is viewed from a resistant Vaisnava perspective, it might appear that the Pope is lavishly offloading his negative karma on to hapless prisoners, already burdened with adversity. But this will not stick with a billion or so Catholics, and we need not venture into matters of abstruse subtle offloads. Why spoil a positive impact?<\/p>\n

What is it that living Vaisnavas do that elicit the same kind of positive impact? Barring the many elevated songs, prayers and bhajanas composed by genuinely humble Vaisnavas who plead from positions less than straw, a first-timer might be awed by seeing a guru laden with flower garlands and having microphones next to his mouth recording his every word said.<\/p>\n

Further \u2018intimidation\u2019 might arise if, as a guru walks along, disciples are keeping up while holding an umbrella aloft to shield him from the sun, while others are fanning with whisks. Yet others are strewing the path he walks with profuse flower petals. If this is exotic, special attention will certainly fix on the disciples who are capable of such high reverence for a fellow human being.<\/p>\n

While disciples display an impression of humble devoutness, what would the impression be of the guru receiving all this? Excessive? Exploiting the good intentions of followers? Effete eastern ideology in action? Cultish?<\/p>\n

Someone witnessing all this, and who has some knowledge of Vedic culture and history might surmise: \u201cWasn\u2019t it the God they worship, Lord Krishna, who was so humble that He washed the feet of His beloved Sudama Brahmana who was materially poor? Didn\u2019t the same Lord wash the feet of each and every guest who came to attend Yudisthira Maharaja\u2019s great sacrifice?\u201d<\/p>\n

If we reflect on these deeds by Lord Krishna from the position of His Supremacy over all and everything, yet performing the most humble services, is this not what we expect from a real leader? Isn\u2019t the Lord showing by example how leaders should be? Would that infer that his guru representatives should also do the same?<\/p>\n

\u201cAh\u2026 but worship of Krishna\u2019s devotees is higher than worshipping Him\u2026 why can\u2019t we exalt the guru so high\u2026\u201d will be a retort. See how King Pariksit glorified a \u2018young\u2019 Sukadeva Goswami: \u201cSimply by our remembering you, our houses become instantly sanctified. And what to speak of seeing you, touching you, washing your holy feet and offering you a seat in our home?\u201d (SB 1.19.33)<\/p>\n

Someone else might respond to this and say, \u201cBut Sri Sukadeva Goswami went about like an Avadhuta\u2026 no one could ascertain his varna or ashrama status.. so he did not dress and behave like a guru\u2026 except when called by providence to speak Srimad Bhagavatam\u2026 besides, he had no conceptions of superior or inferior\u2026 but a guru has be in a superior position in order to be a guru\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

It can be difficult reconciling the outward trappings of a guru with internal necessity as Srila Bhaktisiddhanta says: \u201cHe who serves Lord Hari counts himself as the least of all entities. He is lifted to the highest order of the Vaisnavas when he can feel himself the last of all. He can then proclaim the message of the highest devotion to Lord Hari. “The best of all people deems himself to be less than all others\u2026” Such is the great dictum.\u201d (The Gaudiya – Volume 24, Issue 7)<\/p>\n

Being the least or the last and yet being at the fore of things in leadership can work if suitably qualified Vaisnavas are recognised and facilitated in service. In traditional Vaisnava ways, such Vaisnavas will be the first to serve prasada to devotees and guests, and be the first to render acts of hospitality, including where appropriate, washing of feet.<\/p>\n

When leadership creates a sense of deserving to be there, then there will be corresponding feelings of deserving to be served with prasada, and possibly deserved washing of one\u2019s feet as well, in spite of \u2018tough\u2019 resistance against it. Some will say that the way Srila Prabhupada was worshipped and venerated, is still retained at present for those not as qualified as he. <\/p>\n

In other words, these leftover ways of guru worship for Srila Prabhupada has instilled or encouraged a culture of \u2018rising through the ranks\u2019 in order to deserve being worthy of it. It is hard for such a system to fully recognise or accommodate the \u201clast or least\u201d qualification. “Some people expect only benefits for themselves, but a gentleman cares for others while giving up his own interest.” (Chaitanya Bhagavata, Antya 3.365)<\/p>\n

Then, considering the rarity of devotional service, all who become devotees are unique and special. Just as the Lord feels for the suffering of the fallen souls as Patita-Pavana, so do His devotees. We might be extra cautious about who is a \u2018maha-bhagavata\u2019 and who is not. \u201cI will only wash the feet of an uttama maha-bhagavata\u2026 no one else\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

What if the Lord considers as His devotees even those that may have some impurity? “Having awakened faith in the narrations of My glories, being disgusted with all material activities, knowing that all sense gratification leads to misery, but still being unable to renounce all sense enjoyment, My devotee remains happy and worships Me with great faith and conviction. Even though he is sometimes engaged in sense enjoyment, My devotee knows that all sense gratification leads to a miserable result, and he sincerely repents such activities.” (SB 11.20.27-8)<\/p>\n

Our erring on the side of ultra caution can make us unhappy and doubtful about nearly all devotees. A doubtful Pradyumna Mishra expressed reservations about Sri Ramananda Raya to Lord Chaitanya. From this, we learn how Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spread His message of love: “To vanquish the false pride of so-called renunciates and learned scholars, He spreads real religious principles, even through a sudra, or lowborn fourth-class man.” (CC Antya 5.84)<\/p>\n

While the Pope does the unorthodox that seems to challenge our brahminical discrimination of matters high and low, qualified and unqualified, deserving or undeserving, a Vaisnava ethic allows for feeling for the poor and \u2018undeserving.\u2019 How far one will descend to give mercy depends on degrees of selfless love. For such devotees who exhibit such love:<\/p>\n

CC Antya 16.60 \u2014 The dust of the feet of a devotee, the water that has washed the feet of a devotee, and the remnants of food left by a devotee are three very powerful substances. <\/p>\n

CC Antya 16.61 \u2014 By rendering service to these three, one attains the supreme goal of ecstatic love for K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. In all the revealed scriptures this is loudly declared again and again. <\/p>\n

Let us applaud all those who, by tradition or faith, help in the cause of bringing humanity closer to an ideal espoused by concerned people. They may not be as incisive or \u2018heavy\u2019 as might be expected of Sri Guru, but when such endeavours create positive media and human sentiment, it is can only help the cause of eventual transcendence.<\/p>\n

We may differ on finer etiquette for foot bathing and the need for it. If given the choice whether to accept the feet wash water of prisoners or devotees who are sincere, but have a little residue impurity, the answer seems clear. Would Lord Krishna bathe such feet? <\/p>\n

Ys Kesava Krsna Dasa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Kesava Krsna Dasa<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pope Francis has washed the feet of prisoners and has rekindled an interest in his message of humility and care for the poor, how does this resonate with the generally accepted Vaisnava tradition of spiritual leaders having their own feet washed? Or do genuine Vaisnavas resist having their feet bathed by others?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles","category-kesava-krsna-dasa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11466","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11466"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11466\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11466"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11466"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11466"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}