Why do we touch feet of other’s when we push them accidentally or otherwise?
Answer
It is a way of offering respect and expressing Humility. In the Vedic literature, the physical expression of respect is associated with the understanding of how our physical actions shape our psychological emotions. Actually speaking, when we bow down, it forces us to rethink, from our normal self-centered arrogant perspectives, to actually become humble.
Leaning back on a chair and crossing our legs, and feeling humble, is actually difficult. If we have humility we express it, if we don’t have, we gradually develop it by bowing down. Rituals like these, serve two purposes. They are expressions of the essence and also the pathways to the essence. If we touch the feet of a saintly person, and the fact that the saintly person is accepting obeisance from us, indicates that we are accepted by the spiritual master. That saint takes away our sins!
When we reform our consciousness, we will actually become sinless.
Hence, these rituals are ways to reform our consciousness. So touching the feet without having the desire to become purified, is not recommended, but when we touch a body part and touch it to our head or heart, it shows reverence to that person.
Swaminarayan Glory 