‘Sadhguru Padam Photo’: Enlightenment is in the eye of the foot-holder

When I spotted it for the first time a couple of days ago, I took it to be a meme. But no, it was real. As expected, within no time, social media users pounced on the listing, which was discovered by a bemused internet sleuth. X threads exploded with commentary, from sarcastic to bewildered, as users expressed everything from dismay to praise for the entrepreneurial savvy of Isha Foundation, which sells a whole host of things, from rudraksha and Vibhuti to sari and T-shirts to incense sticks and yoga mats, to meditation techniques and the “inner engineering programme.” They obviously thought a framed picture of the guru’s feet for the price of a decent weekend brunch would hardly pinch his deep-pocketed but empty-headed followers.

Feet today, hands tomorrow?

The description on the Isha Life e-shop, of course, attempts to justify the price tag. The photograph, it assures, is no ordinary image. It’s framed in "beautiful wood" — classy — and comes with the spiritually charged promise that Sadhguru’s feet are “a pathway to access the Guru’s energy.” For those willing to splash out Rs 3,200, they’re not just buying feet; they’re apparently investing in a “powerful medium” to strengthen their connection with the spiritual leader himself. It’s as if, through this image, salvation might quite literally be afoot. In this very life span. On this very earth.

But not everyone is convinced. X became a battlefield of quips and jabs, with many poking fun at the sheer absurdity of it all. “Imagine explaining this to your ancestors,” one user quipped. "They fought wars for freedom and now we buy pictures of feet." Others chimed in with memes, warning us of a future where the spiritual market economy revolves entirely around digit-based enlightenment — feet today, maybe hands tomorrow? Some were impressed by the Isha Foundation’s hustle, noting that selling a guru’s feet could well be the most enterprising twist on spirituality since the invention of pay-to-pray apps.

Also read: Taylor Swift backs Donald Trump for President, in his AI-generated fantasyland

It’s easy to dismiss the whole spectacle as just another example of spiritual commercialism run amok, but Sadhguru’s online devotees would beg to differ. To his followers, this is no laughing matter. Sadhguru, a 67-year-old spiritual leader with an international following, has built his reputation on promoting meditation, self-awareness, and spiritual enlightenment. The merchandising of his feet, according to the Isha Life product description, fulfills a custom: the act of bowing before them is a tradition steeped in spiritual significance.

Of course, even traditions need a facelift in the digital age, and what better way to embrace the modern world than by selling a high-resolution photograph of one’s extremities, framed for convenience and spiritual ease? Devotees are quick to point out that the Rs 3,200 isn't just for the frame — it’s for the intangible connection they believe it fosters. In a world of chaos and uncertainty, some find solace in even the smallest token of their spiritual leader’s presence, and if that token happens to be a glossy picture of his sole and toes, who are we to judge?

Commodification of the foot fetish

Yet, as with all things in life, context matters. The timing of the feet photo listing couldn’t be more ironic — or perhaps deliberate — given the #SadhguruControversy hashtag that has recently gained traction online. Sadhguru has faced criticism for everything from his environmental projects to accusations of hypocrisy when it comes to his public persona. The selling of foot photographs has only added fuel to the fire, with detractors gleefully using the opportunity to call into question the commodification of spirituality. To critics, this move seems like another notch in the belt of celebrity cults, where the spiritual and the material intertwine in strange ways.

One could, of course, argue that Sadhguru isn’t the first spiritual figure to commodify his image. We’ve seen holy relics go for far more exorbitant prices, and religious souvenirs have long been big business. What makes this particular instance stand out is the unapologetically modern twist — a framed foot photograph offered in an era of Instagram influencers, YouTube gurus, and viral sensations. Sadhguru, like many before him, has simply adapted to the times. The difference, however, is that in the age of meme culture and instant reactions, any such move is met with the snarky wit of an audience ready to make a hue and cry at the first sign of commercial excess.

To add another layer to this issue, the foot photo phenomenon might just be an astute marketing strategy. After all, in today’s crowded spiritual marketplace, standing out requires more than sage wisdom — it requires spectacle. What better way to spark curiosity (and controversy) than to throw something as unexpected as a foot photo into the mix? If the goal was to create buzz, mission accomplished, isn’t it?

Also read: What ho! With PG Wodehouse’s sensitivity makeover, we’ve gone too far in censoring classics

Coming back to the craze for foot-related memorabilia, it’s the hot new thing, and it’s about as ridiculous and fascinating as it sounds. We've watched the evolution from signed posters to strands of hair auctioned for absurd sums, but now? Now we’re forking over wads of cash for a sneaker blessed by the holy feet of Kanye West or a sock that graced the legendary arches of Serena Williams. Because who wouldn’t want to own a piece of footwear that might have once been the vessel for a celebrity’s corns?

The thing is, feet have been criminally underrated for far too long. Hands get all the glory with their handshakes and selfies, but feet? Feet have to do all the hard work, walking those red carpets, dancing on stage, or just helping a superstar move from one private jet to another. And, in Sadhguru’s case, putting one in India and another in the West.

Enlightenment lies in the eye of the foot-holder

Still, for all the mixed reactions, it’s hard to deny the simple brilliance of it. At a time when influencers sell skincare routines and celebrities auction off pieces of their wardrobes, why shouldn’t a spiritual leader join in on the action? If Kylie Jenner can sell lip kits and Gwyneth Paltrow can sell, well, let’s not get into that, then surely Sadhguru can sell a tasteful framed picture of his feet. Why limit spirituality to just books and lectures when you can diversify your portfolio?

Also read: How Vir Das punches in the face of power in Emmy Award-winning show, ‘Landing’

Yet, this spectacle also speaks to something deeper about the commercialisation of spirituality in the 21st century. What does it say about the state of spiritual practice when even a guru’s feet are up for sale? Perhaps we’re living in a world where the lines between faith, fandom, and financial gain have become so blurred that the idea of reverence can now be packaged, priced, and framed for a small fee. Or perhaps, like all things in life, this too is simply part of the great cosmic joke — a footnote in the ongoing saga of human absurdity.

Whether you find yourself laughing or cringing at the sight of a Rs 3,200 foot photograph, one thing is certain: Sadhguru has once again captured the public’s attention in what would at least appear to him for a right reason: who doesn’t want publicity, especially for things on sale. He has been running his foundation with all the transparency of a locked bank vault, having mastered the ultimate asana: the bending of rules. Isha Foundation has seen its share of controversy, with the latest chapter involving families accusing the organisation of, shall we say, overzealous ‘retention’ practices.

As former professor S. Kamaraj alleges, his daughters were “brainwashed” by the foundation and cut off from family contact, a complaint that rings alarmingly cult-like to even the most charitable ear. But in typical mystic fashion, Sadhguru has managed to shift the focus to enlightenment, subtly reframing this as a simple case of familial misunderstanding rather than any cloistered spiritual coercion. So, when the Madras High Court directed for a police probe in the case, the apex court stepped in with alacrity one wishes it had demonstrated in other cases of grave concern. The truth is Sadhguru is adept at navigating waters murky and serene. As his empire is allegedly being shielded by the Supreme Court, his critics can perhaps continue to ‘seek within’ for the answers they’ll never get from outside.

Whether or not Sadhguru Padam Photo translates into spiritual enlightenment is up for debate, but at least we’ve all had a good chuckle along the way. Maybe that’s the real lesson here. After all, they say the journey to self-awareness is often filled with unexpected detours. Who knew one of those detours would involve framed foot photos? As the debate rages on, with fans defending their guru’s move and critics sharpening their knives, Sadhguru’s feet continue to stand — or perhaps rest — at the centre of a spiritual media storm. And for those shelling out Rs 3,200 for the framed image, perhaps the old adage holds true: beauty, or in this case, enlightenment, is in the eye of the beholder. Or maybe the foot-holder.