Meanings of the Symbols on Radha-Krsna's Lotus Feet.
The following descriptions come from the Skanda Purana, Matsya Purana, Garga Samhita, Sarartha-darsini (Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Trukura's tika on Srimad-Bhagavatam), Ananda-candrika (Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura's tika on Govinda-lilamrta), Rupa Cintamani by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, and Sri Jiva Gosvami's Sri Kara-pada-yugala-samahrti. Marks that appear on Radha and Krsna's feet are indicated with (RK). Marks that appear only on Radha's feet are marked (R) and Krsna's (K).Conchshell (R.K) The conchshell is the symbol of victory proclaiming that those who take shelter of Radha-Govinda's lotus feet are always saved from all distress and awarded with fearlessness. As the conchshell holds water for bathing the Divine Couple, Their lotus feet contain divine amrta that extinguishes the blazing fire of the material miseries of devotees.Flag (RK) Ths flag announces security and protection from fear for devotees meditating Their lotus feet. The flag on Radha's feet proclaims supreme victory for Her sakhis.
Fish (RK) As fish cannot exist without water, devotees cannot live a moment without the lotus feet of Radha-Syamasundara. On Radha's foot it indicates She cannot live a moment without Her beloved Syama. The fickle mind resembles a fish; so one must diligently practice meditation to fix the lotus feet of Radha-Govinda in his heart. The lotus feet of Radha-Govinda can never live in a dry place. The heart must first become liquefied with loving mellows to attract the fish of Their feet. The fish (makara), which is the insignia on Cupid's flag, on Krsna's foot excites the Vraja-gopis with desires for amorous affairs. It also indicates that Krsna has conquered Cupid, thereby showing Cupid's flag of surrender on the soles of His feet. It indicates that during pralaya, Krsna assumes the form of Matsya (the fish incarnation) to save His devotees. Lotus (RK) The nectar-filled lotus creates greed for prema in the minds of the bee-like devotees who meditate on the lotus feet of Radha-Govinda. The lotus [the symbol of Laksmi-devi] indicates that devotees who remember Radha-Govinda's lotus feet will always be fortunate and successful.
The lotus feet of Radha-Syama are so soft that they can only be compared to lotus petals. At first glance Their feet appear like fresh lotus blossoms. It denotes that Radha-Govinda's lotus feet always live in Vrajabhumi, which is shaped like a lotus. It means that one who always meditates on the lotus feet of Radha-Syama will soon become fortunate because the Divine Couple grant boons by the use of the lotus. The lotus on Radha's foot refers to periods of Her maan, when Krsna's lotus hands massage Her feet. It also refers to the small blue lotus flower that Radhika always carries in Her hand. Radha often uses it to gently tap Syama when He "misbehaves."Bow (K) This mark reveals that those who take shelter of the lotus feet of Syama will perpetually be freed from all varieties of difficulties. It also indicates that when the mind of the devotee meets the target of His feet, then prema condenses as a result and overflows as tears showering from their eyes.Goad (RK) The goad denotes that meditation on Radha-Govinda's lotus feet brings the elephants of the devotees' minds under control and keeps them on the right path. On Radha's foot the goad shows that Radha and only Radha can completely control the mad elephant hero named Krsna.
Triangle (K) Devotees who take shelter of Krsna's feet get saved from the snares of the three modes and the three-fold miseries represented by the three sides of the triangle. The lotus feet of Syama are the first and last refuge for the inhabitants of the three worlds. Krsna's lotus feet are the safest sanctuary for the demigods, humans and animals as well. Everyone should resort to Krsna's lotus feet with full concentration of body, mind and words. Krsna's feet have attracted the fixed gaze of the three eyes of Lord Siva.Barleycorn (RK) The barleycorn signifies that devotees receive all enjoyable opulence by serving the lotus feet of Radha-Govinda.Once one finds shelter at Their feet, then the devotee's journey through many many births and deaths is cut very short, just like a grain of barley. As barley grains sustain life for living beings, similarly, the glorious lotus feet of Radha-Syama are the fullest nourishment for all souls. Altar (R) This mark proclaims that the sins of those who meditate on Radha's feet are burned up as if on the altar of sacrifice (yajna). 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 Radhika's feet become fully enriched and nourished in devotion. It also denotes that the eternal loving service of Sri Radha's sweet lotus feet is the. ultimate goal of all tapa, vrata, dana and yajnas (penance, vows, charity and sacrifices)
Half-moon (RK) It signifies that demigods like Lord Siva have decorated their own heads with the soles of Radha-Govinda's lotus feet. It also indicates that devotees who likewise decorate their own heads with the lotus feet of Radha and Krsna can become exalted pure devotees like Lord Siva. Just as the moon showers nectar with its cooling rays, similarly, the soothing lotus feet of Radha-Syama shower nectar upon Their devotees, which extinguishes the three-fold material miseries. So that the devotees' minds may reside at Their feet, Radha-Govinda bear the symbol of the moon, which is the presiding deity of the mind. It means that the real moon has shriveled up in shame and appears in half form before the splendorous full moons of Their lustrous toenails. Just as the half-moon is progressing toward its full size and glory, similarly the benefit of one who day-by-day expands the glories of Radha-Govinda's lotus feet certainly increases to the topmost degree. Upcurving Line (RK) This mark signifies that devotees who cling to the lotus feet of Radha-Syama, as if holding on to a lifeline, will be transported to the spiritual world. It indicates that the path to Radha-Govinda is very direct, straight and narrow [like a razor's edge]. It also reveals that Radha-Govinda's lotus feet can reach down to the lowest of fallen souls, who take shelter of Them, and deliver them to the highest destination.
Water Pots (K) This mark means that Krsna's feet hold the golden pot of pure nectar to be freely consumed by the surrendered souls; indeed they will never be bereft of nectar, for this pot always remains full. Just as a full pot is an auspicious symbol, similarly, the devotees who meditate on Krsna's feet will always experience auspiciousness. It denotes that Krsna's feet pour out honey nectar to extinguish the burning fire of separation felt by the gopis, as well as the blazing threefold miseries felt by the separated devotees. To hear the humorous statements of the Vraja-gopis, Krsna bears this emblem of their water pot breasts upon His lotus faet.Disc (RK) The disc indicates that meditation upon the lotus feet of Radha-Syama cuts down the six enemies of lust, anger, greed, illusion, pride and envy (kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada and matsarya). It indicates tejas-tattva, or the principle of brilliance by which Radha-Govinda destroy the darkness of sin from within the hearts of Their devotees. Furthermore, this mark on Radha's foot shows that She is the ruler of Her own kingdom formed by the circle of Vraja-mandala. The disc on Krsna's foot represents the time factor. One who always meditates on Krsna's lotus feet will never be destroyed by time; he will live eternally in the blissful world of Vraja Gokula.
Concentric Circles (K) This mark represents the sky and it shows that though Krsna's feet are everywhere, they are unattached just like the sky. It also signifies that Krsna is within everything and within the circle of our hearts. Yet at the same time, Krsna is outside of everything and everyone, eternally enjoying the loving embraces of His devotees in Vraja. It indicates the rasa dance, wherein circles of beautiful gopis spin around Krsna standing in the center playing the flute. It also signifies Syama whirling like a firebrand around Radhika, standing in the middle of the rasa-mandala mesmerizing Syama with Her vina.Umbrella (RK) The umbrella on the feet of Radha-Govinda proves that those who take shelter of Their lotus feet are protected from the incessant rainfall of material miseries. On Radha's feet the umbrella indicates that Her lotus feet provide relief to Her beloved from the scorching heat felt in Her separation. It also refers to Krsna holding Govardhana Hill up like an umbrella to protect Vraja from the devastating rains of Indra. It also means that those who sit in the shade of Their feet become exalted just like great kings, who usually have umbrellas held over their heads.
Cow's Hoofprint (K) It signifies that for those who take full shelter of Krsna's lotus feet, the vast ocean of material existence becomes as small and insignificant as the water held in the hoofprint of a cow. Thus it can be easily crossed.
Thunderbolt (K) This mark proves that meditation on the lotus feet of Krsna smashes to pieces the mountains of a devotees' karmic reactions to past sins. Whoever holds on to Krsna's lotus feet becomes as exalted as Lord Indra, whose weapon is the thunderbolt. This mark shows that the glories of Krsna's dynasty were established by His own grandson named Vrajanabha, who built shrines and installed various Deities to preserve the many places of Krsna's pastimes. Vrajanabha also initiated regular festival celebrations. Chariot (R) This mark shows that the "chariot of the mind" can be easily controlled by fixing it on Radha's lotus feet. It indicates that Krsna is so merciful to His devotees that He even becomes a chariot driver for them. It also shows that the supreme goal may be easily attained, just as there is no trouble when one rides on a chariot. Whoever keeps his mind on the chariot of Radha's feet emerges victorious in the battle with maya. The chariot of Krsna's mind is carried away by the loving service of Srimati Radharani.Swastika (K) It shows that nothing inauspicious can come to one who cherishes Krsna's feet in his heart. Octagon (K) This mark symbolizes that those who worship Krsna's feet are well protected in the eight directions. It also shows that nothing within the kingdom of eight directions is unattainable for Krsna's devotees. Blackberry Fruits (jambu) (K) This mark shows that Krsna's lotus feet are the only worshipable objects for the residents of Jambudvipa (island of the blackberry), according to Vedic cosmography. Club (R) This mark shows that Radha's feet can chastise the elephant of sinful lust.
Earring (R) It shows that Krsna's ear always listens to the tinkling sound of Radha's charming anklebells, the melodious sound of Her voice, the sweet rhythms of Her love poems, and the intoxicating ragas of Her vina. Mountain (R) This mark reveals that even though GiriGovardhana is worshiped by all of Vraja as the best of mountains, still Govardhana Hill in turn especially serves the lotus feet of Radhika. Bracelet (R) This mark indicates that Radha's feet are always present in Krsna's hands (massaging them when She's in maan), just as a bracelet always accompanies the hand.Shakti (R) This mark represents a spear. For those who take shelter of Radha, Her feet immediately appear to slash all the miserable bonds of mundane life. It means that Sri Radha is the source and reservoir of unlimited shakti or powers (sarva saktimayi). Flower (R) The flower shows that the divine fame of Radha's feet spreads everywhere just like the fragrance of a flower. It also shows that Radha's feet are not hard, but soft as flower petals. And it 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 Radhika's feet.
Creeper (R) This mark symbolizes how the desire creeper of the devotees continues to grow until it gradually takes shelter at Radha's feet. It shows that Radha's feet are found in the forest of Vrndavana, where many vines and creepers thrive. It also indicates that Radha's feet wander amidst the many kunjas and vine-laden kunja mandirs scattered throughout Vraja. It also proves that Radhika is the supreme Goddess of herbal medicine, and that Her feet are the ideal medicine for curing the disease of materialism. It means that Radha is like a creeper wrapping around the tamala tree known as Krsna. Intelligent devotees will hold on to Radha's lotus feet just as a creeper firmly grasps whatever it ascends.
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Sri Sri Radha Krsna Padas