Touch the Feet of Our Elders

Touching the feet of elders is a very common practice performed in India. Whenever we meet any elder, it is like a mandatory gesture for us to touch their feet. Nobody is unaware of this gesture if he/ she is an Indian. Being an Indian, you may know touching the feet of an elder is a part of our culture, whenever any relative comes to our home we touch their feet, or when a newly married couple are to start their life, they touch the feet of elders. It makes our culture unique, but do you know what is the reason behind touching the feet of an elder?

Scroll down to know why do we touch the feet of our elders, what are the scientific reasons behind it, why do Indians touch the feet of elders, how to ask for blessings from elders? And many other questions like this.

Many of us wonder that touching feet in Hindu culture is of religious and cultural importance. The first thing associated with touching the feet of the elderly is a symbol of giving them respect. There is also a scientific reason behind this gesture.

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Why do we Touch the Feet of Our Elders - Scientific Reason?

Every time you touch the feet of elders, you might think that it is a highly appreciated tradition of India. Here are some of the prominent reasons behind this ritual.

The person Tends to Take the Energy from the Other-

We take the energy from the other person as the nerves, which start from the brain, spread across our body while touching the feet as we bend down. Then those have a network between themself which has a sensation that spreads throughout the body when a person bends. A circuit is immediately formed, which connects the energy between the bodies. It is also known as the receptor, and the other person is known as the giver of energy whose feet we are touching.

Touching Feet Tend to be the Act of Getting knowledge from an Elder-  

It is also believed that while touching the feet of elders, we are inheriting their knowledge and lessons for the next generation as it is said that wisdom and again through the virtues of our ancestors. It has significant importance in Atharvaveda, which is an important mythological book in Hinduism. The circuit formed between the seeker and blesser also transfers goodwill and blessings among themselves.

The Gesture of Touching Feet Improves Blood Circulation and Cures Joint Pain in Your Body-

In Yoga, Charan Sparsh or touching feet has importance as it increases the blood circulation in one's body, which increases the energy and stamina of the speaker or receiver.  In Sanskrit, it is known as “Pranama”, which means a form of respectful salutation. We usually touch the fields of grandparents, parents, teachers for any relative who is elderly.

Pranama is a combination of pra (Sanskrit: ) and nama (Sanskrit: ); pra as a prefix means "ahead, in front, before, extremely, or very much," while nama denotes "bending or stretching." Thus, pranama means "bending, bowing in front" or "bending a lot" or "prostration."

In Yoga, Pranam,  touching feet means exercise, which is very important to improve our blood circulation and keeps ourselves healthy and fit. Generally, sashtang pranam is performed as a yoga exercise and to greet the elders in the south region of India. By this Pranam, one has to bend their upper along their knees. This further helps to cure joint pain. 

Touching the Feet Tends to Develop Positive Vibes in the Person -

Whenever one touches the feet of an elderly person, the ego in one's mind vanishes, as when bowing down to the knees of an older person, the positive vibes of compassion from the toe of an elderly person goes to the mind via hands, when a person touches the feet of an elder.

 Balance Positive and Negative Circuits in the Human Body- 

The human body is to have a positive and negative current. The left side of a person is said to contain the negative current, and on the other hand, the right side of the body is said to contain the positive current. When a person bows down and touches the feet of another person, the positive and negative circuit is said to be complete and balanced in one's body. 

Why do Indians Touch Feet?

Being an Indian, touching the feet of elders is the prominent way to greet elders. On a daily basis, many Indians use to perform this gesture whenever they meet their elders. Moreover, we can say that Indians touch the feet of elders in the act to show them the respect and devotion we Indians have for them in the heart. If we dig deeper into the history of this, we come to know that touching the feet of the elder is a gesture, which has been adopted by the Indians from the age of the Vedic Period. From then, we Indians continue to do the Charan Sparsh to our elders along with Mahatmas Rishi and Munis. 

Along with all this, Indians have a firm belief that If one touches the feet of elders, then his or her ego comes to an end, and along with that, a person also opens up the paths of wisdom and knowledge for himself/herself. 

What is the Right Way of Touching the Feet?

Well, before touching the feet of our elders, we must know what is the right way of touching the feet, so that we can enjoy the numerous benefits of this in a real sense.

More precisely, when you are to touch the feet of your elder, you must know the correct position to touch their feet. For touching the feet, you have to bend your upper body toward the person, whose you are going to touch, but remember not to bend your knees, stretch your arms parallel towards the feet of them and along with this the elder should be standing at a straight position and use their right hand to give you their blessings. 

How to Ask for Blessings from Elders?

Seeking blessing from the elders is almost equal to seeking blessing from god! If you want to get the blessings from your elders!  You must perform the gesture to touch the feet of your elders to get the unrefined blessing of your elders. Be it your Mother, Father, Grandparents, your teacher or any elder, it is advised to touch their feet before beginning anything in your life. 

It is believed that when we bend ourselves in front of elders to their feet,  The unlimited fountain of the almighty god showers good luck and blessings on us. That’s why most people in India touch the feet of their elders before a new start.

Touching the feet of elders is a mandatory part of our culture. Though being a Mandatory part of our culture, It also has a scientific significance in a particular manner. In the sacred book of Bhagavad Gita, Yudhistra has stated that touching the elderly’s feet is a symbolic gesture of having strength and greatness, which benefits once and strength, intellect, knowledge, and fame.  Although the world has proceeded through technological advancement, the gesture of touching the feet is still the oldest and most performed tradition in Indian households. In the above article,  we have tried to explain all aspects of touching the feet of elders.  We hope now for the time you are cleared with your queries about this gesture.