You must have noticed many Indians, especially Hindus, touch books with their forehead or eyes as soon as their feet accidentally touch them. This practice has been followed for centuries. If someone’s feet accidentally touch papers, books, musical instruments, or any other educational equipment, children are often taught to touch it with their hands, and then touch their forehead or eyes as a mark of apology and respect.
Similarly, if our feet accidentally touch another person, we immediately touch them with our hand and then touch our forehead or eyes. But have you ever wondered why Hindus follow this practice? What is the spiritual reason behind it? Let's understand it in detail.
Why We Avoid Touching Our Feet With Books?
According to Hindu beliefs, whether something is living or non-living, everything deserves respect.
1. Books are considered a manifestation of Goddess Saraswati
As per the Hindu belief system, just as the wind represents Lord Vayu, the sun is a symbol of Lord Surya; similarly, all the objects related to learning, such as books, pens, paper, notebooks, musical instruments and even computers, are considered manifestations of Goddess Saraswati.
Goddess Saraswati is always pictured holding the Vedas or the sacred scriptures in one hand and a Veena in the other. She is worshipped as the goddess of knowledge, learning, wisdom and the arts. Therefore, touching books or any other educational item with our feet is a sign of disrespect to the Goddess. Some people also believe that touching books with our feet can have negative effects on their lives.
2. It teaches respect for knowledge
The custom of not stepping on books or educational tools is a constant reminder of the high position that knowledge holds in Indian culture. From an early age, children learn to treat books with reverence rather than as ordinary objects.
This is also the reason why books, musical instruments, tools, vehicles and work equipment are worshipped during Saraswati Pooja, as a way of expressing gratitude to the Goddess of learning and seeking her blessings for wisdom and success.
Touching books with our feet is a sign of disrespect to the Goddess Saraswati (Image: Pexels)
ALSO READ: Why Do We Remove Footwear Before Entering A Temple? The Spiritual Meaning Explained
Why We Avoid Touching Other People With Our Feet?
You may have noticed that whenever someone's feet accidentally touch another person, they immediately touch the person and bring their fingers to their eyes as a mark of apology and respect, no matter the other person's age.
According to Hindu philosophy, the lord resides in every human being. Everyone carries a spark of the supreme being in them. Therefore, touching the other person with feet is similar to disrespecting the divinity that exists within them.
Seeking forgiveness immediately after such an incident also shows humility, gratitude, and respect for one another. It reminds us to honour every individual, irrespective of age, status or relationships. This also reflects the Indian value of seeing God in every living being and treating them with dignity.
According to Hindu philosophy, the lord resides in every human being (Image: Pexels)
ALSO READ: If God Is Everywhere, Why Do We Need Temples? Here's What Hindu Beliefs Say
Respecting books, papers, and educational items is rooted in Hindu culture. Avoiding contact with them through our feet is not just following tradition; it is a way of honouring knowledge, expressing humility, and recognising the divine presence in both learning and humanity.