The Divine Power of the Guru’s Feet
“All the sacred rivers reside at the Guru’s right foot.”
Our ancient scriptures teach us that all the tīrthas—holy rivers and sacred pilgrimage sites—are present in the Guru’s right foot. This means the Guru’s feet encompass all the purity and spiritual power found in these holy places.
“Tīrthāni dakṣiṇe pāde vedāḥ tanmukham āśritāḥ |
Pīyūṣabhājanam haṁho sadguroḥ karanetra-yoḥ!!”“All the tīrthas are at His right foot; the Vedas reside in His face; His hands and eyes are like nectar. O wondrous Sadguru!”
The Guru’s face itself is the embodiment of the Vedas. Meditating on His face bestows the merit of reciting all the Vedas. His eyes, hands, and entire form overflow with divine nectar. By touching or merely glancing at the Sadguru, the nectar of yoga flows into us. We should meditate fully on the sacred form of the Guru.
Baba’s Miracle at Prayag
Once, Das Ganu Maharaj wished to bathe at Prayag’s holy confluence (Triveni Sangam) and sought Baba’s permission. Baba told him, “Why travel so far? This is your Prayag. Hold firm faith in your heart.”
When Das Ganu bowed and placed his head on Baba’s feet, from Baba’s big toes flowed water like the sacred rivers Ganga and Yamuna. This divine miracle overwhelmed Das Ganu with love and devotion, filling his eyes with tears. He praised Baba’s infinite power and leelas with deep satisfaction.
Das Ganu said:
“People bathe in holy rivers like the Ganga to wash sins, but the Ganga herself seeks the feet of saints. Thus, there is no need to forsake Sai Baba’s sacred feet and travel to distant holy rivers.”
The Glory of Guru Padodaka (Water from the Guru’s Feet)
In the Guru Gita, Lord Shiva tells Goddess Parvati:
“Guroḥ pādodakaṁ pītvā dhṛtvā śirasi pāvanam |
Sarva tīrthāvagāhasya samprāpnoti phalaṁ naraḥ ||”“By drinking the Guru’s foot water and placing it on one’s head, a person attains the merit of bathing in all holy rivers.”
We cannot purify lust, anger, pride, and jealousy by ordinary bathing alone. Only by drinking the Guru’s foot water with devotion and grace can we become truly pure.
Parvati is also told:
“Śoṣaṇaṁ pāpa-paṅkasya dīpanaṁ jñāna-tejasaḥ |
Guroḥ pādodakaṁ devi saṁsārārṇava-tārakam !!”“O Devi! The Guru’s foot water dries up the mire of sin, ignites the flame of knowledge, and ferries one across the ocean of worldly existence.”
And:
“Avidyā-mūla-nāśāya janma-karma-nivṛttaye |
Jñāna-vairāgya-siddhyarthaṁ guroḥ pādodakaṁ pibet !!”“To destroy ignorance, end the cycle of birth and karma, and attain knowledge and detachment, one must drink the Guru’s foot water.”
Our Daily Practice
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Let Guru Padodaka be your drink.
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Let the Guru’s Ucchishta (leftover sacred remnants) be your food.
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Always meditate on the Guru’s divine form.
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Regularly recite Guru stotras (hymns) as your main japa.
Final Blessing
These truths were heard directly from Lord Shiva himself. What higher authority do we need?
Dear Sai devotees,
Awaken and recognize Sai Baba as your Supreme Guru. Worship Him daily with love and devotion.
Whenever you perform Sai puja, touch the water you offer to Sai’s feet, then drink it reverently. That is your Sai Padodaka.
Whatever water or food you take, think of it as Sai’s sacred remnants.
Chant the holy name with love and surrender: “Sai! Sai!”
This alone will protect and bless you in this life and beyond.
