Why do Hindus not touch people, paper, books etc. with their feet?

In Hinduism, it is believed that all knowledge is -and all sources of knowledge are- divine. So, touching books or papers and even musical instruments with the feet is looked upon as 'kicking', and a sign of disrespect to Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge and all the Arts. So, if we do accidentally happen to touch such articles with our feet, we touch the object with our hands and then touch our eyes. This is a symbolic gesture of repentance and apology. It is intended to impress upon us that knowledge is sacred and that all sources of knowledge are to be treated with reverence.

The human body is recognized as a temple where divinity resides and hence the same respectful gesture of apology is offered when we touch someone with our feet. This habit is ingrained in us from an early age. We also learn from observing parents and others around us. Every individual is an embodiment of divinity and must be treated with respect and dignity. This could be interpreted as a leveler, an indirect lesson in humility and acceptance of all with no distinctions or exceptions.

Meera Sharma

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