2604:3D08:E981:5C00:9958:343F:D8BE:3163: included shavism in listing because knowlage

2021-06-01T03:23:14Z

included shavism in listing because knowlage

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{{Short description|South Asian footwear}}
{{For|the genus of butterfly|Paduka (butterfly)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
[[File:Paduka.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Elaborate ''paduka'' with high platform was part of a bride's trousseau.<ref name=arch>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/ethno/w/wooden_shoe.aspx|title=britishmuseum.org}}</ref>]]

'''''Paduka''''' is an ancient form of footwear in India, consisting of little more than a sole with a post and knob which is engaged between the big and second toe.<ref name="aas.ca">[http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index.php All About Shoes - The Bata Shoe Museum]</ref> It has been historically worn in [[South Asia]] and [[Southeast Asia]]. ''Paduka'' exist in a variety of forms and materials. They might be made in the shape of actual feet, or of fish, for example, and have been made of wood, ivory and silver. They may be elaborately decorated, such as when used as part of a bride's [[wikt:trousseau|trousseau]], but could also be given as religious offerings or themselves be the object of veneration.<ref name=arch />

Although simple wooden ''padukas'' could be worn by common people, ''padukas'' of fine teak, ebony and sandalwood, inlaid with ivory or wire, were a mark of the wearer's high status.<ref name="aas.ca"/> In the modern world, ''padukas'' are worn as footwear by mendicants and saints of [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Shavism]] and [[Jainism]]. Its significance in Hinduism is linked to the epic ''[[Ramayana]]''. "Paduka" can also refer to the footprints of deities and saints that are venerated<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index.php|title= The Paduka|access-date=26 December 2009}}</ref><ref name=culture>{{cite web|url=http://www.fashionencyclopedia.com/fashion_costume_culture/The-Ancient-World-India/Paduka.html |title=Paduka |access-date=26 December 2009 |publisher=Fashion Encyclopedia |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202211733/http://www.fashionencyclopedia.com/fashion_costume_culture/The-Ancient-World-India/Paduka.html |archive-date=2 February 2010 }}</ref><ref name=wear>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/index.php|title=Feet and Footwear in the Indian Tradition|access-date=26 December 2009}}</ref><ref name=lexicon>{{cite web|url=http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/cgi-bin/monier/serveimg.pl?file=/scans/MWScan/MWScanjpg/mw0618-pAdAntara.jpg|title=Sanskrit Lexicon|page =618|access-date=27 December 2009|author = Monier Monier-Williams|author-link = Monier Monier-Williams}}</ref> in symbolic form in houses and purpose-built temples. One such temple is the [[Vishnupad Mandir]] in [[Gaya, India]]. Similarly, [[Buddha footprint]]s are worshipped under the [[Bodhi Tree]] in [[Bodh Gaya]].<ref name=lexicon/><ref name =divine>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/in_footsteps_divine/|title= In the Footsteps of the Divine|access-date=26 December 2009}}</ref>

''Paduka'' are the royal symbol in [[Malaysia]]. ''Seri Paduka'' denotes "His Majesty", which is a title bestowed as an honour of recognition to dignitaries of the Malaysian court.<ref name=Kampar>{{Cite book|last=Kampar|title= Sri Paduka: the exile of the Prince of Ayodhya|work=Paduka|pages=3, 4|access-date=26 December 2009|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qnsOAAAAYAAJ&q=Paduka&dq=Paduka&cd=1|publisher= Ohio University, Center for International Studies|year=1969}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=A Dictionary of the Sunda language|url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/A_Dictionary_of_the_Sunda_language/P |first=Jonathan |last=Rigg |location=[[Batavia, Dutch East Indie|Batavia]], Java |publisher=Lange & Co. |year=1862}}</ref>[[File:Orissa State Museum, Bhubaneswar (10) - Oct 2010.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Detail of ''paduka'' on sculpture, Orissa State Museum, Bhubaneswar]]

== Etymology ==
[[File:BM-Paduka.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Painted Indian ''pāduka'' collected by [[Hans Sloane]] (1660–1753). Now in the collection of the [[British Museum]]]]
The [[Sanskrit]] word ''pāduka'' is derivative of ''pāda'' meaning 'foot'. This terminology was coined to define India's ancient archetypal footwear.<ref name =arch/>

==Legends==
The word ''pada'' ('foot') is cited in the ancient Hindu scripture ''[[Rigveda]]'' as representing the universe, namely the [[Prithvi]] (earth), [[Vayu]] (air), [[Akash]] (sky) and the element of the realm beyond the sky.<ref name =divine/>

In the Hindu epic ''[[Ramayana]]'', the cursed King [[Dasaratha]] sent his son [[Rama]] (an incarnation of god [[Vishnu]]) into exile for 14 years at the behest of his wife [[Kaikeyi]] (stepmother of Rama), who wanted her son [[Bharata (Ramayana)|Bharata]] to be crowned in Rama's place. However, Bharata did not wish to have the kingdom, and visited Rama in exile, beseeching him to return to [[Ayodhya]]. When Rama replied that he would return only after completing his exile, Bharata requested Rama's ''paduka'' to serve as his proxy, to be crowned and to serve as an object of veneration for Rama's followers. Bharata carried Rama's golden ''padukas'' with great reverence by placing them on his head as a mark of his obedience to his elder brother. Bharata ruled [[Kosala]] as Rama's proxy in the name of "Ram's Padukas".<ref name =divine/><ref name=Kampar/>

==Construction==
[[File:Pandit woman 1922 vintage by Vishwanath.jpg|thumb|160px| Pandit woman wearing ''paduka'' {{circa|1922}}.]]
The footwear is basically a sandal, which has generally a wooden sole with a post and a stub to provide grip between the big and second toes. It does not have straps of any kind to adhere the sole to the foot, so the wearer has to actively grip the post between the two toes to keep the sandal in place while walking.<ref>Jutta Jain-Neubauer, ''Feet and Footwear in Indian Culture'', 2000, Bata Shoe Museum</ref>

It is also known as ''Khadau'', ''karrow'', ''kharawan'' and ''karom'', and used in the [[Indian subcontinent]] mostly by mendicants, saints and commoners.<ref name =arch/> Made in the shape of the footprints, with two narrow and curved stilts, the design is specific to ensure that the principle of [[ahimsa|non-violence]] – practised by the saintly followers of Hindu and Jain religions – is not violated by accidental trampling of insects and vegetation. The Brahmins wearing such a ''paduka'' may be heard praying: "Forgive me Mother Earth the sin of injury, the violence I do, by placing my feet upon you this morning."<ref name =Pada>{{cite web|url= http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index_2.php|title= The Paduka|access-date=26 December 2009}}</ref>

''Padukas'' made of [[ivory]] were in popular use among royalty and saints. Hindu religious ethos requires that the ivory be taken from elephants which died naturally or harvested from domesticated elephants, in a manner which avoids cruelty.<ref name =Ivory>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index_3.php|title= The Ivory Padukas|access-date=26 December 2009}}</ref> People of high societal status wear ''padukas'' made of fine [[teak]], [[ebony]] and [[sandalwood]] and inlaid with ivory or wire. They are also made in the shape of fish as a symbol of fertility.<ref name =teak>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index_4.php|title= The sandalwood Padukas|access-date=26 December 2009}}</ref>

Other forms of ''padukas'' worn on special occasions may be incised with silver or of wood covered with silver plates and sometimes adorned with bells to sound upon walking. Bronze and brass ''padukas'' may be worn for ritual and ceremonial use.<ref name =metals>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index_5.php|title= Metal Padukas|access-date=26 December 2009}}</ref>

A unique pair of wooden ''padukas'' have their toe knobs inlaid with ivory lotus flowers and are minutely painted. At each step, a trigger mechanism in the sole signals the lotus to open from bud to blossom. They are also made in the shape of an [[hourglass]] or with carved toes.<ref name="culture"/>

Eighteenth-century footwear used as ritual wear made of "wood with bed of sharp iron spikes" has been found. It is inferred that it was meant to be used to inflict pain to the wearer to demonstrate his conviction in religious forbearance of pain.<ref name=culture/>

==Veneration==
[[File:Alandi Palki 08.jpg|thumb|Paduka of saint [[Dnyaneshwar]] is carried in a palanquin in a silver bullock cart in procession from [[Alandi]] to [[Pandharpur]]]]
''Paduka'' is often gifted as part of a bride's dowry. They are worshipped and given as votive offerings by faithful believers.<ref name =Pada/>

In a festival associated with the Hindu god [[Vithoba]], pilgrims travel to his [[Pandharpur]] temple from [[Alandi]] and [[Dehu]] towns that are closely associated with poet-saints [[Dnyaneshwar]] and [[Tukaram]] (respectively), carrying the ''padukas'' of the saints in a silver [[palkhi]] (palanquin).

A popular religious belief is of the contact (''sparsh'') with the [[salabhanjika]] sculpture [[yakshini]]'s foot. It is said that when the yakshini encircles a dormant tree with her leg around it, it starts to blossom and bear fruit. [[Shalabhanjika]] yakshi is also an embellishment in the form of an architectural bracket in many Hindu temples.<ref name =divine/>{{relevance inline|date=July 2020|What does this have to do with the footwear?}}

Another notable feature of veneration is of the goddess [[Lakshmi]], the goddess of prosperity. On [[Deepavali]] festival day, Lakshmi is devotionally ushered into the house through symbolic representation with a series of her footprints (''paduka'') drawn in paint or [[kolam]] and lit with oil lamps, from the main door to the private sanctum. This is done with the wish that good fortune shall be bestowed by her upon the householders.<ref name=wear/>

Below the [[Bodhi tree]] at [[Bodh Gaya]] where Buddha received enlightenment, there is a vacant throne that is adorned with the foot prints on a foot rest of the Buddha. This place is deeply venerated.<ref name =divine/>

===Vishnupad temple===
[[File:Paduka footwear of Saints.jpg|thumb|right|200px| These simple Padukas are worn by saints and mendicants.]]
[[Vishnupada Mandir]] is said to enshrine the footprints of Vishnu.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indnav.com/servlet/Browse?mt=goToName&name=Vishnupad+Temple|title=Vishnupad Temple|access-date=26 December 2009}}</ref> This footprint denotes the act of Vishnu subduing [[Gayasur]] by placing his foot on Gayasur's chest. Inside the temple, the {{convert|40|cm|in|adj=mid|-long}} footprint is imprinted in solid rock and surrounded by a silver-plated octagonal enclosure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://discoverbihar.bih.nic.in/pages/gaya1_place.htm |title=Discover Bihar |access-date=26 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924065657/http://discoverbihar.bih.nic.in/pages/gaya1_place.htm |archive-date=24 September 2009 }}</ref> The temple is {{convert|30|m|ft}} in height and has 8 rows of elegantly carved pillars that support the [[pavilion]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indovacations.net/english/Aboutgaya.htm|title= About Gaya|access-date=26 December 2009}}</ref> Within the temple precincts, the banyan tree called the '[[Akshayabat]]' is located where the final rituals for the dead takes place.{{relevance inline|date=July 2020|Other than the parts about the footprints, is the rest of this relevant to the subject?}}

===Paduka Sahasram===
''Paduka Sahasram'' (literally meaning "1,000 verses on the padukas of the Lord") is devotional poetry extolling the virtues of worshipping the ''paduka'' (feet) of Vishnu, enshrined in [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam|Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple]] in [[Srirangam]], [[Tamil Nadu]]. It is considered a sacred script of the [[Sri Sampradaya]] or [[Sri Vaishnavism]]. The Sahasram was composed in 1,008 verses in 32 chapters by Swami [[Vedantha Desika]], a follower of the [[Vishishtadvaita]] philosophy. It is also said that Desika composed this as a challenge to his rival group of Tengalai Iyengars (who belonged to the southern school of the Srivaishnava philosophy) in one-quarter of a night. The eulogy of the Lord's Paduka centres around Rama's ''paduka'', which ruled the kingdom of Ayodhya for 14 years. Desika propounds that it was due to the special relationship that people of Ayodhya had with Rama's ''paduka'' that they attained salvation in life.<ref name=Sahsram>{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/99780/Paadhuka-Sahasram|title=Swami Swami Desikan's Sri Ranganatha Paadhuka Sahsram|others=Annotated Translation into English by Oppilippan Koil Sri Varadachari Sahtakopan|access-date=29 December 2009|publisher=Scribd}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/20/stories/2006092000480900.htm|title= Mediating role|access-date=29 December 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=20 September 2006}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
[[File:Paduka Poojan.jpg|thumb|Paduka Poojan done during Satchidanand Utsav]]

===Guru Paduka Sthothram===
[[Adi Shankaracharya]] has also written nine devotional verses under the title "Guru Paduka Sthothram" as salutations to his guru (the Lord). An English translation of the first verse is:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Guru_Paduka_stotram|title=Guru Paduka stotram|access-date=29 December 2009}}</ref>
<blockquote>
<poem>
Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,
Which is a boat, which helps me, cross the endless ocean of life,
Which endows me, with the sense of devotion to my Guru,
And by worship of which, I attain the dominion of renunciation.
</poem>
</blockquote>

=== Satchidananda Utsav ===
Satchidananda Utsav (celebration of truth, consciousness and bliss) is organised by Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Upasana Trust (Mumbai, India) and celebrated every year on the second Saturday of Margashirsha (the ninth month of the Hindu calendar). It is usually performed for two to five consecutive days. The holy ''padukas'' worshipped during the celebration are prepared from the paper pulp of Ram Naam books issued by [[Ram Nam|Aniruddha's Universal Bank of Ram Naam]] and written by thousands of devotees across the world.<ref>https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/shree-satchidanand-utsav-given-sadguru-aniruddha-bapu-mihir-nagarkar</ref><ref>http://aniruddhafoundation.com/sacchidanand-utsav/</ref><ref>[https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Ramayana/ worldhistory.org]</ref><ref>http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rama/index.htm</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Indian paduka in fish shape, South Bengal - Bata Shoe Museum - DSC00168.JPG|''Paduka'' at exhibit in the [[Bata Shoe Museum]]
File:Indian paduka that sprays lotus water from its toe-knobs, undated - Bata Shoe Museum - DSC00171.JPG|Exhibit in the Bata Shoe Museum
File:Indian paduka, Jaipur, 18th century AD - Bata Shoe Museum - DSC00046.JPG|Silver ''paduka'', Bata Shoe Museum
File:Paduka - India.jpg|Silver ''paduka'', Bata Shoe Museum

</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Upanah]]
*[[Sandal]]
*[[Flip-flops|Chappal]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index.php All about shoes: Padukas]

{{footwear}}

[[Category:Clogs (shoes)]]
[[Category:Indian footwear]]
[[Category:Hindu symbols]]

Paduka - Revision history

2604:3D08:E981:5C00:9958:343F:D8BE:3163: included shavism in listing because knowlage