Hare Kṛṣṇa,
“Remembrance of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet destroys everything inauspicious and awards the greatest good fortune. It purifies the heart and bestows devotion for the Supreme Soul, along with knowledge enriched with realization and renunciation.” (SB 12.12.55)
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu further inquired, “Out of many types of meditation, which is required for all living entities?”
Śrīla Rāmānanda Rāya replied, “The chief duty of every living entity is to meditate upon the lotus feet of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.” (CC Madhya 8.253)
Krsna’s lotus feet are the perfect object of meditation because they sever the attachment to material life and fulfill the desires of the devotees. By chanting Krsna’s holy names one attains both peace and purity. One can then immediately take shelter of Krsna’s lotus feet by chanting His holy names. The Lord’s lotus feet symbolizes shelter because they protect the devotee from the dangers of material life.
“In the weakest stage of unmada, the gopis regain their self-awareness and inquire from the creepers and other unconscious living beings.” (SB 10.30.24: Sārārtha-darśini)
In the medium stage of unmāda there is imitation of the beloved’s behavior with some self awareness. (SB 10.30.24: Sārārtha-darśini)
While the gopīs were thus imitating Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes and asking Vṛndāvana’s creepers and trees where Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Soul, might be, they happened to see His footprints in a corner of the forest. (SB 10.30.24: Sārārtha-darśini)
Even though not explicitly mentioned, I can ascertain that this state of the gopis when they meditate on Krsna’s lotus feet comprises the highest stage of unmāda.
The benefits of meditating on Krsna’s lotus feet are told throughout Srimad Bhagavatam and other scriptures:
“O lotus-eyed Lord, by concentrating one’s meditation on Your lotus feet, which are the reservoir of all existence, and by accepting those lotus feet as the boat by which to cross the ocean of nescience, one follows in the footsteps of mahājanas [great saints, sages and devotees]. By this simple process, one can cross the ocean of nescience as easily as one steps over the hoofprint of a calf.” (SB 10.2.30)
What is even more wonderful is that the dust of Govinda’s lotus feet is so sacred that even Brahmā, Śiva and the goddess Ramā take that dust upon their heads to dispel sinful reactions. “Blessed is the dust of Kṛṣṇa’s feet, for Brahma and Siva hold that dust on their heads in order to remove the sorrow they feel in separation from the Lord. Every evening at about five o’clock, Kṛṣṇa returns from the cow pastures with His cowherd boyfriends. At that time great demigods like Brahmā and Śiva come down from heaven to take the dust of Kṛṣṇa’s feet on their heads.” (SB 10.30.29: Sārārtha-darśini
At a sadhaka stage, it may be hard to remember and meditate on various symbols of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. But one can obtain the same benefits by chanting the Holy Name of the Lord.
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu further advised Subuddhi Rāya: “Begin chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, and when your chanting is almost pure, all your sinful reactions will go away. After you chant perfectly, you will get shelter at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa.” (CC Madhya 25.199)
[Isvara Puri to Lord Caitanya]: “‘Simply by chanting the holy name of Krsna one can obtain freedom from material existence. Indeed, simply by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra one will be able to see the lotus feet of the Lord.’” (CC Adi 7.73)
“May our minds be attached to the lotus feet of your Lord Kṛṣṇa, may our tongues chant His holy names, and may our bodies lie prostrate before Him.” (CC Adi 6.60)
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 