The Lotus Feet and Hands
of Lords
Nityananda Gauranga
Each of the most Auspicious Marks on
the Lotus Feet and Hands of Their Supreme Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda
Gauranga have unlimited transcendental meanings associated with them and these
should be the object of our meditation when we chant the Nityananda and
Gauranga Mantrarajas and the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Thus this webpage will be
a very important tool for increasing the intensity and depth of our
concentration during Mantra Meditation.
Sources - Shrimad
Bhagavatam, Saratha-darshini, (Shrila Vishvanatha Chakravarti's Bhagavatam
commentary), Govinda Lilamrita and Ananda-chandrika (Shrila Visvanatha's tika
on Govinda Lilamrita), Shrila Visvanatha's Rupa Chintamani, Shrila Jiva
Goswami's Shri-Kara-Pada-Yugala-Samsmrti, Skanda Purana, Matsya Purana, Garga
Samhita and numerous other scriptures, quotes and compilations.
"A slight mentioning of the glories of the
Lotus Feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga removes the thirst
for everything else. They are expert in destroying the calamities of everyone
who meditate on Them and bestow all good fortune. One being highly astonished
on seeing Their beauty which gladdens all the senses. Their touch removes all
miseries of fatigue and awards infinite happiness. May These Lotus Feet of
Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga fulfill all my desires!
"Simply by meditating on the Lotus Feet of
Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga, one attains all spiritual and
material fortune, beauty, good qualities and wealth.They are the abode of all
pastimes. May Their Lotus Feet be our existence!"
"Even a slight worship of the Lotus Feet of
Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga turns a mere stone into a
purposeful gem,a mere cow into a kamadhenu, a mere tree tree into a
kalpavriksha - desire tree. They fulfill all the desires of a living being. Who
will not take shelter of These Lotus Feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri
Nityananda Gauranga."
"The Lotus Feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri
Nityananda Gauranga always engladdens the tongues of the honeybee-like devotees
with Their fragrance that fills the whole world. Which devotee of taste could
give up These Lotus Feet?"
"The Lotus Feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri
Nityananda Gauranga are like red lotus sprouts that please all the five senses
with Their great qualities and that are generous like the leaves of a desire
tree. We cannot compare These Lotus Feet with anything in this whole
creation."
Lord Gauranga's Lotus Feet
gaurangera duti pada, jara dhana sampada,
se jane
bhakati-rasa-sara
Shrila Narottama Dasa Thakura sings: "Anyone
who accepts the two lotus feet of the Supreme Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu as one's
only treasure and wealth in life, becomes qualified to understand the essence
of the pure mellows of devotional service to the Lord."
Thus the total Auspicious Marks on both the Lotus Feet of
Lord
Gauranga Mahaprabhu = 32
Lord Krishna's Lotus Feet
Thus the total Auspicious Marks on both the Lotus Feet of
Lord
Krishna = 19
Shri Radha's Lotus Feet
Thus the total Auspicious Marks on both the Lotus Feet
of
Shrimati Radha = 19
There are 6 marks
common on the Lotus Feet of
Lord Krishna and Shrimati Radha
Lord Gauranga's Lotus Hands
Total Marks on the Right and Left Lotus Hands of
Lord Gauranga
Mahaprabhu = 44
Lord Krishna's Lotus Hands
Total Marks on the Right and Left Lotus Hands of
Lord Krishna =
33
Shri Radha's Lotus Hands
Total Marks on the Right and Left Lotus Hands of
Shrimati Radha
= 35
There are 24 marks
common on the Lotus Hands of
Lord Krishna and Shrimati Radha
Lord Nityananda's Lotus Feet & Hands
nitai-pada-kamala,
koti-chandra-sushitala,
je chayay jagata juray
nitaiyer carana
satya,tahara sevaka nitya
nitai-pada sada koro asa
"The lotus feet of Lord
Nityananda Prabhu and more soothing, cool and mollifying than millions upon
milions of moons. The whole spiritual and material creation simply rests on the
shelter and under the shadow of His two lotus feet. The only eternal truth in
this world is the two lotus feet of Lord Nityananda and the servants of These
feet are the eternal and immortal associates of the Lord. Therefore please
always aspire to achieve the two lotus feet of Lord Nityananda Prabhu through
the chanting of His Holy Name."
Thus the total Auspicious Marks on both the Lotus Feet of
Lord
Nityananda Prabhu = 24
Total Marks on the Right and Left Lotus Hands of
Lord
Nityananda Prabhu = 28
Lord Advaita's Lotus Feet
Thus the total Auspicious Marks on both the Lotus Feet
of
Advaita Acharya = 8
Lord Advaita Lotus Hands
Total Marks on the Right and Left Lotus Hands of
Lord Advaita
Acharya = 20
The Transcendental
Meanings Of The Most Auspicious Marks
Arrow
Barleycorn- This mark signifies that
the devotees of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga receive all
enjoyable opulences of prosperity by serving Their feet. It also means that
once one finds shelter at Their feet and Holy Name, then the devotee's former
journey through many many births and deaths is actually very tiny, just like a
single grain of barley. It further demonstrates that just as the barley grains
are the sustenance of life for living beings, similarly it is widely celebrated
that Their glorious feet are the nourishment for all souls.
Blackberry Fruits (jambu-phala)- This
mark is indicative that The lotus feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda
Gauranga are the only worshipable objects for all those who are residents of
this region of Jambudvipa (island of the Blackberry Fruits, according to Vedic
cosmogrophy).
Broom
Chariot (ratha)- This mark symbolizes
the universe as a chariot and The lotus feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri
Nityananda Gauranga show in which direction for all souls to travel. It further
indicates that Lord Gauranga is so merciful to His devotees that He even
becomes the 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 to
visit the forest. Whoever sits upon the chariot of Their feet emerges
victorious in the battle with maya or the illusory energy.
Club (gada)- This mark is to show
that The lotus feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga are
capable of chastising the elephant of sinful lust. It further indicates that
for whoever takes shelter of Their feet all their ancestors will also receive
benefit.
Conch (shankha) - This auspicious
mark indicates that those who take shelter of Their Lordships Shri Shri
Nityananda Gauranga's lotus feet are always rescued from all sorts of distress.
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 Their feet hold
transcendental water that soothes Their devotees from the blazing fire of
material miseries. Also, this symbol proclaims ultimate victory for the
devotees of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga, since the conchshell
mark on Their feet contains the entire ocean of material existence that may now
be easily crossed. This mark also shows that those who resort to Their feet
become com-pletely fearless. And furthur, the mark is also symbolic of the
jala-tattva or principle of water since from Gauranga's feet has manifested the
river Ganga, purifier of all the worlds. On Gauranga's foot, this mark also
indicates the water-principle that soothes Krishna so that He feels no burning
pain whenever He is separated from Radha's company or while feeling the mood of
separation.
Cow
Cow's Hoof print (gospada)- This mark
signifies that for those who have taken full shelter of uninterrupted
meditation on the lotus feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga,
the great ocean of material worldly existence becomes very small and
insignificant like the water held in a calf's hoof-print, and thus is easily
crossed over.
Disc (chakra)- This mark cuts down the six
enemies of The devotees of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga -
lust. anger, greed, illusion, envy, and bewilderment. It indicates tejas or the
principle of brilliance by which They destroy the darkness of sin from within
Their own devotees' hearts. Furthermore, this mark on Gautranga's feet shows
that He is the ruler of His own kingdoms formed by the circle of
Navadvipa-mandala and Vraja-mandala. Sky (ambara) - This mark of two circles,
one within the other indicates that the The lotus feet of Their Lordships Shri
Shri Nityananda Gauranga are all-pervading throughout the entire creation, both
within and without all manifestations. It also shows that even though Their
feet are everywhere, they are unattached just like the sky.
Drum
Elephant
Elephant Goad (ankusha)- This mark indicates
that meditation on The lotus feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda
Gauranga brings the elephants of Their devotees' minds under control and keeps
them on the right path. It also shows that those who thus stay on the path
toward Their feet and Holy Names become superior among men, just as one riding
on top of an elephant travels far above the rest. This mark when on Gauranga's
foot, indicates that even though Krishna's elephant-like mind attempts to have
like many different kinds of heroines, the lotus feet of Radha are still
powerful enough to easily conquer Him and bring Him under control and force Him
to assume the golden complexion of Radha to become Gauranga.
Fan
Fate Line
Fish (matsya)- This mark shows that just as a
fish cannot live without water, similarly the surrendered devotees cannot live
a moment with-out directly associating with The lotus feet and the Holy Names
of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga. This mark on Gauranga's foot
shows that Lord Gauranga is like a fish out of water, cannot live for a moment
without relishing His own love and chanting His own Names. It also shows that
all the most cherished desires and longings of those who resort to the lotus
feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga will be truly fulfilled.
It also means that the mind is very fickle, just like a fish who wavers this
way and that, and so only after much medita-tion on Their lotus feet while
chanting Their Holy Names it will finally become steady and fixed of the Lord.
It also indicates that Their feet will come to live in one's heart only if the
heart has been liquified by soft loving emotions; Their feet do not thrive
where it is dry. Further, it shows that Lord Gauranga's foot bears this mark of
the fish, which is the emblem flying on the banner of Cupid, so His lotus feet
are the seed and bestower of pure conjugal love for Their Lordships Shri Shri
Radha and Krishna. He also has this mark on His feet to indicate that He has
conquered Cupid, thereby displaying Cupid's flag of surren-der on the soles of
His feet. And it is a reminder that during the great universal devastation and
flood Lord Gauranga assumed the form of Matsya, the fish-incarnation, and
thereby saved His devotees.
Flag (dhvaja)- This mark announces that for
the devotees meditating on the feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda
Gauranga, the Lords give full security and safe protection from all sorts of
fear. Furthermore, this mark on Gauranga's foot indicates that there will be
supreme victory for all the associates of Lord Gauranga who are aware of the
glories of His lotus feet.
Flower (pushpa)- This mark, unique to
Gauranga's feet, shows that the divine fame of His feet spreads everywhere just
like the fragrance of a flower. It also shows that His 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 Lord Gauranga's lotus feet.
Flower Garland
Good Fortune and Enjoyment Line
Half Shaped Moon (ardha-chandra)- This mark
symbolizes how The lotus feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga
truly accomplish the desired objectives of the devotees. It signifies that even
gods like Lord Shiva have decorated their own heads with the soles of Their
feet and their mouths by Their Holy Name. It also shows that devotees who
likewise decorate their own heads with Their feet can become exalted like
Shiva. Just as the moon showers nectar with its cooling rays, similarly Their
feet shower nectar upon Their devotees, extinguishing the three-fold material
miseries. So that the minds of the devo-tees may reside at Their feet. They
bear the symbol of the moon (which is the devata or presiding deity of the
mind) upon Their feet. Just as the moon is one, yet destroys the darkness seen
by many people simultaneously, similarly the Lord Gauranga is one and yet by
His cleverness can deliver many souls at the same time. The half-moon also
indi-cates that since Their toenails appear like ten splendrously full moons,
the real moon has shriv-eled up in shame and appears in half-form. It also
means that the half-hearted attempts of those who are abhakta (improperly
devoted), kurasika (relishing transcendental topics with the wrong attitude);
and kutila (crooked or duplicious) cannot approach Their feet. Also, just as
the half-moon is in the process of increasing, similarly the benefit for one
who is day-by-day expanding the glorifica-tion of Their feet and Holy Names in
a spotless manner certainly increases.
Horse
Iron Club
Javelin
Jeweled Bangle (valaya)- This
mark, unique to Gauranga's feet indicates that His feet are always present on
the hands of His devotees who are massaging His feet after His sankirtana
dancing pastimes, just as a bracelet always accompa-nies the hand.
Kunda Earrings (kundala)-
Gauranga's lotus feet hold this emblem to indicate how Krishna's ear is always
listening for the tinkling sound of the charming anklebells of Radha's lotus
feet; thus Lord Krishna lives for the shelter of Her feet, which give Him all
happiness. It also shows that Lord Gauranga's two lotus feet are the theorum
that is proven by the system of sankhya.
Life_Line
Lotus (kamala)- This mark
increases greed for nectar in the minds of the beelike devotees who meditate on
The lotus feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga. Furthermore,
this mark on Gauranga's foot refers to the services of His devotees who massage
His feet with their lotus hands. The lotus also signifies that just as a lotus
grows out of water, similarly those whose eyes swell with tears upon chanting
the Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas receive the highest benefit. This mark
also shows that the goddess of fortune, Sri Lakshmi Devi, always resides at
Their feet rendering humble service. It signifies that Their feet are so soft
that they can only be compared to lotus petals; indeed, upon first glancing at
Their lotus feet. you would think you are directly seeing fresh lotus blossoms.
It also reveals that just as a lotus blooms by day and contracts by night,
similarly those who remain steeped in meditation on the Lotus Feet and Holy
Names of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga always feel the
blossoming unfoldment of' brilliant spiritual ecsta-sies that dispel the
darkness of ignorance. This mark also indicates that just as bees live inside
lotus flowers, similarly the minds of the Gauranga Bhaktas always reside in the
nectar of Their lotus feet. It also shows that this lotus (or consciousness of
Their lotus feet) will not grow unless there is profusion of prema-jala or the
water of pure divine love. It also means that the bee of the devotee's mind
cannot fly beyond the bondage of gyana (speculative knowledge) and vairagya
(renunciation) without the temptation offered by the superior nectar of Their
lotus feet. It denotes that Their feet always reside in the Navadvipa forest,
which is shaped like a lotus; thus the mark is indicative of Their Supreme
Lordship over all of creation. Even Lord Vishnu knows that the Lotus Feet and
Holy Names of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga are the supreme
abode of happiness, and in His eternal service to Their feet He holds the four
weapons (beginning with the lotus, disc, club and conchshell). Their Lordships
Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga bestow benedictions by use of the lotus and other
items like Lord Vishnu does since They are the original Vishnus, and therefore
Their lotus feet are also marked with these symbols.
Mountain (parvata)- This mark
on the lotus feet of Lord Gauranga reveals that even though Giri Govardhana is
worshiped by all of Vraja as the best of mountains, stilt Govardhana Hill in
turn serves the feet of the Divine Couple in the form of Lord Gauranga in
Navadvipa.
Octagon (ashta-kona)- This
mark symbolizes that those who worship The lotus feet of Their Lordships Shri
Shri Nityananda Gauranga are well-protect-ed in the eight directions. It also
shows that nothing within the kingdom of eight directions is unattainable for
the devotees. Further, Their devotees automatically and easily achieve the use
of the eight mystic perfections in the course of performing service to Their
feet and Their Holy Names.
Palace
Pillar of Glory
Plough (hala)- Lord
Nityananda Balarama being the Original spiritual master cultivates the field of
our heart with his golden plow and makes it fertile for planting the seed of
pure devotional service to Lord Gauranga and Their Lordships Shri Shri Radha
and Krishna. He also removes the unwanted weeds of material desires in this
process and thus grants us qualification for chanting Gauranga's Holy
Name.
Rope
Sacrificial Altar (vedi)-
This mark proclaims that the sins of those who meditate upon The lotus feet of
Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga are burned up as if on the altar
of sacrifice. Further-more, it indicates that just as the universe is nourished
by the brahmanas offering fire-sacrific-es, similarly those who offer their
minds in sacri-fice to Their lotus feet stimulate universal nourishment that
affects all of creation. The universe is the form of Gauranga, and the offering
is the form of Nityananda; this perfect union is indicated by the mark of a
sacrificial altar.
Space
Spear (shakti)- This mark
assures those who wish to have the miserable bonds of the mundane sphere cut,
and who take shelter of The lotus feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda
Gauranga immediately slash all entangle-ments and difficulties. It also
indicates that They are shaktimana or the natural possessors of all divine
potencies, whereas Their servants are not endowed with separate, independent
power but are completely dependent on Them.
Stick
Swastikas (Auspicious symbol
)- This mark signifies that for those who resort to The lotus feet of Their
Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga, all is well. It also shows that
nothing inauspicious could possibly remain for one who holds Their feet to
their heart.
Sword
Thunderbolt (vajra)- This
mark reveals that meditation on The lotus feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri
Nityananda Gauranga smashes to pieces the mountain of Their devotees' karmic
reactions to past sins. It also indicates that whoever holds on to Their feet
becomes as exalted as Lord Indra (whose weapon is the thunderbolt). This mark
also shows that the glories of Krishna's dynasty were established by His own
grandson named Vajranabha, who preserved the many places of His pastimes, built
shrines, installed various Deities and initiated regular festival
celebrations.
Tortoise
Tree
Triangle (tri-kona)- The
meanings of this mark are: that the devotees who resort to The lotus feet of
Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga will be saved from the snares of
the three-fold modes of maya; that Their feet are the first and last refuge for
the inhabitants of the three worlds; that Their feet are the safest sanctuary
for demigods, human beings and animals as well; that Their feet are the sole
desired object of the muktas (liberat-ed), mumukshas (those desirous of
liberation) as well as vishayi (sense-gratifiers); and that Their feet should
be resorted to by everyone with full concentration of their body, mind and
speech. It also shows that Krishna, the conqueror of Cupid, is the Lord and
husband of all women, whether they are in the category of wedded wives,
unwedded lovers, or prostitutes. It also shows that Gauranga is the original
source of His three expanded manifestations of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
Gauranga also bears this mark upon His foot to indicate that the three energies
of Shri, Bhu and Nila are His maidser-vants. It refers to His stepping over the
three worlds Svarga (heavenly planets), Bhu (earthly region) and Pata!a (lower
planets), with one step (in His incarnation as Vamana Deva). Also that His feet
remove the threefold miseries of adhyatmika (caused by one's own body or mind),
adhidaivika (caused by demigods, such as natural disasters), and adhibhautika
(caused by other living beings). It further signifies that Lord Gauranga's
lotus feet may be attained by worshippers performing any of the three methods
of sadhana-bhakti, gyana and vairagya. It denotes that Lord Gauranga never goes
anywhere other than Navadvipa, Jagannatha Puri and Vrindavana. Also that
whether one is sura (godly), nara (human) or asura (demon), Lord Gauranga sees
everyone equally and bestows the same bhakti. Also that His lotus feet have
attracted the fixed gaze of the three eyes of Lord Shiva.
Trumpet
Twig (valli) - This mark
unique to Lord Gauranga's foot, symbolizes how the desire-creeper of the
devotees grows and grows and gradually seeks refuge at His lotus feet. It also
shows that His feet are always found in the forest of Navadvipa, where many
vines and creepers thrive. It also proves that Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu is the
supreme Lord of herbal medicine, and that His lotus feet are the ideal cure for
healing the disease of materialism. Further, it means to show that Radha is
like the creeper wrapping around the tree that is Krishna and thus combining to
manifest the form of Gauranga. And it also shows that Lord Gauranga's lotus
feet traverse ground that abounds with groves and vine-laden bower-houses. It
further indicates that intelligent persons hold on to Lord Gauranga's Lotus
Feet and Holy Name just as a creeper firmly grasps whatever it is
ascending.
Two_carts
Umbrella (chatra)- This mark
proves that those who take shelter of The lotus feet of Their Lordships Shri
Shri Nityananda Gauranga are shielded from the incessant rainfall of material
miseries. Furthermore, this mark on Lord Gauranga's feet indicates that His
feet provide relief to His devotees from the scorching heat felt in His
separation. It also refers to Gauranga in His form of Krishna holding
Govardhana Hill up like an umbrella to protect Vraja from the devastating
rainfall caused by the anger of Indra. It also denotes that those who sit in
the shade of Their feet becomes exalted just like maharajas (great kings), who
usually have umbrellas held over their heads.
Unstrung Bow (dhanu)- This
mark reveals that those who take shelter of the lotus feet of Their Lordships
Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga will perpetually be freed from all worries and
difficulties. It also shows that those who are stupefied in the material world
remain motionless like a target and do not come to Their feet and Their Holy
Name; whereas those who come to the ultimate goal of Their feet and Holy Name
remain there and never go back to the material world. Further. when the mind of
the devotee meets the target of Their feet, then pure love condenses as a
result and overflows as the tears showering from their eyes.
Upcurving-line
(urdhva-rekha)- This mark signifies that the devotees who cling to The
lotus feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga and Their Holy
Names, as if holding on to a life-line, will be transported to the higher
realms. Indeed, they will not fall down. It shows that such devotees need never
be doubtful of their upward passage; they cannot be held captive within the
small egg-like material universe. It also indicates that the path to Their
feet, being free of external designations, is very direct. It also reveals that
Their feet can reach down to the lowest of fallen souls and deliver those who
have taken shelter of Them.
Water pot (kalasa)- This mark shows that The
lotus feet of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga hold the golden
pitcher full of purely nectarean ambrosia to be freely consumed by the
surren-dered souls; indeed, they will never be bereft of nectar, for this
pitcher always remains full. This mark also indicates that Their feet can pour
out nectar that extinguishes the buring fire of separa-tion felt by the gopis
as well as the blazing three-fold miseries of Their separated devotees. It also
refers to Their feet as the source of the Ganga river, which is supremely
purifying. Further, the full pitcher is a symbol to show that no
inauspiciousness can come near Their devotees, but rather that Their feet bring
ripples of happiness emanating from divine auspiciousness. Also in order to
hear the joking statements of the gopis, Lord Gauranga bears this emblem of
their jug-like breasts upon His feet.
Whisk fan