The Boat Across the Endless Ocean
अनंत संसार समुद्र तारनौकायिताभ्यां गुरुभक्तिदाभ्याम् । वैराग्य साम्राज्यद पूजनाभ्यां नमो नमः श्रीगुरुपादुकाभ्याम् ॥
“Ananta samsāra samudra tāra naukāyitābhyāṁ gurubhaktidābhyām | Vairāgya sāmrājyada pūjanābhyāṁ namo namaḥ śrīguru pādukābhyām ||”
Shree Guru Paduka Stotram — Adi ShankaracharyaWith this verse, Adi Shankaracharya begins the Shree Guru Paduka Stotram.
These are the paduka (sacred sandals) of my Guru, which serve as the boat that ferries one across the endless ocean of worldly existence. These are the paduka that bestow upon me guru bhakti (devotion to the Guru). These are the paduka of the Sadguru, whose worship grants the empire of vairagya, that is, detachment, freeing one from worldly attachments. Salutations again and again to the paduka of the Sadguru.
This verse makes it clear that the Guru's Padukas not only protect the devotee from the endless cycle of worldly existence and from the obstacles and afflictions encountered along the journey, but also blesses the devotee with unwavering devotion to the Guru so that sorrow, suffering, difficulties, and adversities may not gain a foothold in the devotee's life. The sacred padukas also make him more competent to receive Sadguru's grace so that he may draw closer to the Sadguru.
Just as the Guru's Padukas are revered as an integral part of Sadguru Bhakti, the Padukas of Lord Shree Rama also occupy a uniquely sacred place in Rama Bhakti.
Bharata — The First Paduka Poojan
Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Bapu has often explained that Bharata was the very first person in the world to perform the Paduka poojan. In His Ramraksha discourse dated 10 March 2005, Bapu explains the word Bharata as “the mind that remains absorbed in, immersed in Bhakti.” Bapu further says,
Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Bapu“When the mind that is immersed in devotion brings back Prabhu Rama's Padukas, what does it truly bring? It brings the Saguna Bhakti of Prabhu Rama.”
Sadguru Shree Aniruddha BapuLet us set aside profound philosophical concepts such as Nirguna-Nirakara, Saguna-Nirakara, Ajapa-Japa, Maya, Brahma, and other ideas that are difficult for us to comprehend. Instead, let us embrace the simple path of Saguna-Sakara Bhakti. The Padukas represent Padasamvahana, loving service at the Lord's feet which is the very essence of Dasya Bhakti. It is this Dasya Bhakti that I wish to embrace.
Bibhishana Beholds the Sacred Feet
When Bibhishana left Lanka to surrender at the lotus feet of Lord Shree Rama, the emotion that filled his heart was beautifully expressed by Sant Tulsidas in the Sundarkanda of the Shree Ramcharitmanas:
जिन्ह पायन्ह के पादुकन्हि भरतु रहे मन लाइ। ते पद आजु बिलोकिहउँ इन्ह नयनन्हि अब जाइ॥
Jinh pāyanha ke pādukānhi Bharatu rahe mana lāi, Te pada āju bilokihauṁ inha nayananhi aba jāi.
Shree Ramcharitmanas — SundarkandaToday, these very eyes of mine shall behold those sacred feet whose Padukas have completely captivated Bharata's heart.
Padukas in Datta-bhakti
The worship and reverence of the Guru's Padukas also occupy a place of great importance in the Datta-bhakti. Devotees worship the Guru's Padukas with the firm conviction that worshipping the Padukas is, in essence, worshipping the Sadguru Himself.
Explaining how devotion to the Padukas gradually strengthens love, seva, and complete surrender in a devotee's life, Bapu says:
Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Bapu“The Sadguru's Padukas is such a precious means available to every devotee that removes the ego, draining it away completely. Bowing before the Guru's Padukas and worshipping them marks the true beginning of the journey towards complete surrender (शरणागती - Sharanagati).”
The Pad and the Gokhala
When we behold the sacred Padukas, we can primarily distinguish two parts—the Pad (पद) (the footprint portion) and the Gokhala (गोखला - the raised central knob).
When a devotee bows before the Padukas, the Gokhala comes into contact with the devotee's Adnya Chakra. The sacred influence of this part of the Padukas upon the Adnya Chakra calms and quietens the devotee's mind.
The divine radiance emanating from the Sadguru's lotus feet is itself difficult to withstand. It is through the Gokhala that we are able to receive and bear the radiance of the Sadguru's sacred feet.
Shraddhavans who understand the significance of the Gokhala never lift the Padukas by holding this part. Instead, they reverentially lift the Padukas with both hands, placing them gently in their cupped palms.
Roopdhyan — Connecting with the Sadguru
The glory of beholding the Sadguru's lotus feet is well known to every devotee. However, doing Roopdhyan (meditating) upon the exact form of those sacred feet may not always be easy. However, the form of the Padukas, on the other hand, is simple to remember, visualise, and meditate upon. Through meditation on the Padukas—that is, through Saguna Dhyana—a devotee can effortlessly establish a living connection with the Sadguru. This is the true significance of the Padukas.
To establish a connection with the Sadguru's lotus feet and to deepen that connection continuously is the very essence of Devotion Sentience (भक्तिभाव चैतन्य). Yet, how does one connect with the infinite and all-pervading Sadguru-tattva (the principle that is the Sadguru)? The answer lies in Roopdhyan (meditating upon) upon the form of the Sadguru's Padukas. With the unwavering faith that the Sadguru Himself is truly present in the form of these sacred Padukas, one should do poojan or Roopdhyan.
It is through the Adnya Chakra and the Anahata Chakra that we are able to establish a living connection with the Sadguru. For this connection to deepen, these centres within us must be attuned to Him.
Sadguru Shree Aniruddha BapuThere should never be forgetfulness of the Sadguru's Padukas; rather, it is only through constant remembrance of them that I will remain connected to the Sadguru, and the Sadguru will be enthroned on the seat of my heart meaning that only their authority will reign over me; I will remain their Dasa (devoted with heart and mind), and thereby I will be freed forever from the slavery of ill-fate (Prarabdha). And this, indeed, is the goal of every bhakta. To reach this goal, devotees embrace the simple and easy path of Paduka-worship and Sagun Bhakti.
A Heartfelt Resolve
The following verse from the Guru Padukashtakam beautifully expresses the heartfelt resolve of every Shraddhavan:
ज्या संगतीनेच विराग झाला। मनोदरींचा जडभास गेला ।
साक्षात् परात्मा मज भेटविला । विसरू कसा मी गुरुपादुकाला ॥
Jya sangatinech virāga jhālā, Manodarīnchā jaḍabhāsa gelā. Sākṣāt Paramātmā maj bheṭavilā, Visarū kasā mī Gurupādukālā.
Guru Padukashtakam“By whose very association detachment arose within me; by whose grace the heaviness of my mind disappeared; by whom I was united with the Parmatma Himself—how could I ever forget the Guru's Padukas?”
Forms of the Sacred Padukas
The sacred Padukas of Sadguru Shree Aniruddha are available to devotees in several forms: