Sunday September 20, 2009
Shoe-in for trouble
VASTHU SASTRA BY T.SELVA
In almost all cultures and beliefs, shoes or slippers are viewed as negative elements. There are many more dont’s than dos when dealing with them.
What is a shoe to you? Footwear is something we use to protect our feet and that’s all there is to it.
When it is used for any other purpose, it could be seen as disrespectful.
In Hinduism and almost all other cultures and beliefs, shoes or slippers are viewed as negative elements and there are many more dont’s than dos when dealing with them.
Shoes should be kept away from sight after use because they have inauspicious, negative qualities.
Why? Because subtle energy enters via our crown chakra (head), then channels through our body and this negative energy is discharged through our feet.
Wearing shoes and slippers into the house is bad because the negative energy from outside will enter into the living space. Footwear must not be kept in front of the main doorway.
In Vasthu Sastra, the shoe rack should be placed away from the north-east quadrant because the space is a divine corner and should be kept clean.
Footwear must not be hung at the doorway or fence because it will ward off visitors and create hostility. Placing footwear on one’s self above head level also brings bad luck.
It is inauspicious to buy or present footwear to anyone as a gift because the giver will suffer from a strained relationship with the receiver.
Used shoes must not be given away to anyone because the user is likely to be in the same shoes as the giver.
However, if you have lost your shoes or slippers or misplaced them, it is an auspicious sign because it indicates your troubles have left you.
Dreams about shoes, especially when it is about wearing expensive shoes, means one will see more respect and fame. On the contrary, a dream that involves shoes that are torn and worn out means a setback in life.
To see yourself buying new shoes and wearing them shall bring you financial gains in your job. If you simply dream about shoes then prepare for a journey.
If you dream about losing your shoes, it is a bad omen as it foretells that your loved ones shall betray you when you need them most. To see a shoemaker in your dream is unfavourable as it signifies poverty.
Because of all of the above, using shoes as a gesture to express any form of displeasure is regarded as a bad omen and disrespectful.
That is exactly what happened in the case of Paya Besar MIC division deputy chief M. Sukumaran. He said during the recent MIC general assembly that he wanted a garland of slippers to be placed on a photograph of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed, and his statement caused him suspension from the party.
In a similar situation, Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi, who hurled his shoe at former US President George W. Bush in Baghdad, served time in prison and was released on Sept 15.
In India, it is common for people who are unhappy with any particular personality to place a garland of slippers or shoes on the statue or image as a sign of protest.
It is written in Hindu scriptures that those who perform such ill-mannered acts will lose everything in life and bring shame to their family, community and country.
Even uttering the words, “I will hit you with a shoe’’ is viewed as impolite and the effects are the same.
In the Hindu living system, every individual is regarded as a divine soul and should be respected with dignity and treated with honour and any mistreatment will lead to misery.
People should understand that omens have been passed down from ancient times and brushing them aside as mere superstition can be wrong.
In my column in Nov 2007, I wrote about the public’s concerns when the former Selangor Mentri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo, handed out broom awards to two underperforming local councils at the Selangor Excellence Awards.
In Indian culture, it is not a good idea to give anyone a broom, as it is equivalent to hitting the person with it. It is not the recipient who will suffer the consequent bad karma but the giver.
Although Khir had brushed aside the criticism and these old beliefs, it seems he is still drawn into controversies after he lost his mentri besar post following Barisan Nasional’s failure to retain Selangor in the last general election.
Article by T. Selva appeared on Sunday Star 20th September 2009
