Explaining the meaning of Padasevanam, Swami says Pada means feet. Seva means service. This is when you blend your practice of karma yoga with bhakti. In doing your duty and serving humanity, develop the bhava that you are serving and worshipping the Lord's Feet.
But why do the Feet assume such importance? In a Divine Discourse, Swami explained that the head is the most important part of the body and that it why it is crowned. But even this head cannot go anywhere without the help of the feet and so the feet must be respected.. Goddess Lakshmi used to offer devotion to Lord Narayana by offering Padasevanam. She always massaged the Lotus Feet of Lord Narayana. However, even though she had the boon of being the Lord's wife, it is said that even she was envious of the Tulsi leaves which were placed at Lord Narayana's Feet, for the leaves remained there whereas even Goddess Lakshmi had to go to answer the prayers of Her devotees. Like Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, our devotion should be such that we wish only to be close to the Lord. She is an example to us to dedicate our lives to worshipping and serving the Lord's Lotus Feet. Om Sai Ram
