Verse 2.72

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

व्यत्यस्तपाणिना कार्यमुपसङ्ग्रहणं गुरोः ।
सव्येन सव्यः स्प्रष्टव्यो दक्षिणेन च दक्षिणः ॥ ७२ ॥

vyatyastapāṇinā kāryamupasaṅgrahaṇaṃ guroḥ |
savyena savyaḥ spraṣṭavyo dakṣiṇena ca dakṣiṇaḥ || 72 ||

The clasping op the teacher’s feet should be done with crossed hands: the left should be touched with the left and the right with the right.—(72)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

The ‘clasping of the Teacher’s feet’ mentioned in the preceding verse ‘should be done with crossed hands.’

In answer to the question as to what sort of the ‘crossing’ of hands should be done, the Author adds—‘the left’ foot ‘should be touched with the left’ hand; it is mere touching that should be done, the Teacher should not be troubled by the foot being held for a long time. This ‘crossing’ is obtained by the two hands being simultaneously moved towards one another. That is, the feet having to be clasped by the pupil standing in front of the Teacher; the left hand is moved towards the right and the right towards the left; it is thus that the left foot becomes touched by the left hand and the right foot by the right hand. This is the ‘crossing of the hands.’

Others read the text as ‘vinyastapāṇinā,’ ‘with well-placed hands.’ The ‘placing’ being implied by the touching, what the addition of the epithet would imply is that the feet should not be touched merely with the finger tips,—in the way in which a red-hot piece of iron is touched, for fear of burning,—but the hands should be ‘well-plaed,’ actually held upon the feet. Pressing of the feet would cause pain to the Teacher, and is as such prohibited. Such is the explanation provided of this version of the text.—(72)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Vīramitrodaya (Saṃskāra, p. 455), where it is explained that the ‘left’ and ‘right’ of the second half stand for the left and right feet; so that the meaning is that the left foot of the teacher should be touched by the left hand and the right one by the right hand; and it quotes Baudhāyann laying down that the pupil should pass his hands from the knee downwards to the foot.

A similar explanation is given also in Parāśaramādhava (Ācāra, p. 300).

The verse is quoted also in Vidhānapārijāta (p. 52.1);—in Aparārka (p. 55), as laying down the ‘feet clasping’ of the teacher;—in Saṃskāramayūkha (p. 40), which says that ‘spraṣṭavyaḥ’ goes with ‘gurucaraṇaḥ’ understood;—and in Smṛticandrikā (Saṃskāra, p. 103), which explains the meaning to be that the left and right feet of the teacher are to be touched with the left and right hands respectively.

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Gautama-Dharmasūtra, 1. 58.—‘The clasping of the teacher’s feet.’

Gautama-Dharmasūtra, 6. 1.—‘Every day on meeting, the feet of the teacher should be clasped.’

Gautama-Dharmasūtra (Aparārka, p. 55).—‘Also daily in the morning, as well as at the beginning and end of Vedic lectures.’

Āpastamba-Dharmasūtra, 1.2.5.21-22.—‘With the right hand clasping the right foot, he should touch it both up and down, along with the ankle;—according to others, the two feet should he clasped with the two hands.’

Āpastamba (Aparārka, p. 55).—‘At sunrise, he shall meet the teacher and clasp his feet.’

Baudhāyana-Dharmasūtra, 1. 2. 26.—‘Clasping the right foot with the right, and the left with the left hand, one obtains long life and goes to heaven.’

Paithīnasi (Vīramitrodaya-Saṃskāra, p. 455).—‘With the palms of the two hands turned upwards, he should clasp the two feet of the teacher, the right with the right and the left with the left.’

Vaśiṣṭha (Vīramitrodaya-Saṃskāra, p. V56).—‘The clasping of the teacher’s feet should be done.’

Baudhāyana (Parāśaramādhava, p. 300).—‘Touching his ears, concentrating his mind, he shall touch the teacher below his knees down to his feet, this is feet-clasping.’

Atri (Aparārka, p. 55).—‘Ordinarily one should salute by raising the right band; hands should be joined in saluting a Vedic scholar; in the case of the teacher, the feet should he clasped.’