Text as Saraswati

[George Hart]

The pot is a god.  The winnowing
fan is a god.  The stone in the
street is a god.  The comb is a
god.  The bowstring is also a
god.  The bushel is a god and the
spouted cup is a god.

Gods, gods, there are so many
there's no place left
for a foot.

        There is only
one god.  He is our Lord
of the Meeting Rivers.

>From AKR Speaking of Siva, page 84.  Poem by Basavanna 1106-1168 CE.

George Hart
  
On Jul 26, 2010, at 9:11 AM, Joseph Walser wrote:

> I have noticed that at least among Tamil Brahmins, if someone touches a book with his or her feet, she quickly touches the book and touches her eyes. The explanation I have heard is that this is to apologize to Saraswati who resides in the print. Can anyone tell me how widespread this practice is? Does anyone know of any early references to or scholarly discussion of this practice?
> Best,
> 
> Joseph
> 
> -- 
> Joseph Walser
> Associate Professor
> Department of Religion
> Tufts University
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