Guest guest Posted September 12, 2003 Report Share Posted September 12, 2003 "Namaste" means, "I bow to Thee." "Namaskar" mwans "I make a bow." (Or so I've been told.) I think "Namaste is considered more appropriate to Deity, and "Namaskar" for human-to-human everyday use. I consciously choose "Namaste," because I am re-emphasizing the Sacred component. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me? -- Len/ Kalipadma On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 04:45:50 -0000 "Mary Ann" <maryann writes: > > BTW: did you just post something about the word "Namaste"? A > yoga teacher I work with in Venice (CA) said she was told in India > that "Namaste" is not the greeting, but that the greeting is > "Namaskar." I forget what she said they told her Namaste meant, > but she doesn't say it in class anymore. Do you know what this is > about? > ______________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2003 Report Share Posted September 12, 2003 I think this analysis is confusing Sanskrit (a grammatically precise ritual language, like Latin or Classical Greek) and Hindi (an everyday street language; a colloquial vernacular). In Hindi-speaking parts of India, "Namaste" is fine for person-to- person use: It means Hi! Good morning! Hello! Greetings! etc. Etymologically, yes, there is a suggestion of bowing and respect, but in casual conversation it's not really noticed. Just as in English, saying "farewell" to someone doesn't normally make that person think, "Ah, you are hoping that I fare well on my journey!" It means "Bye,See ya." In Hindi, it is Namaskar, in fact, that has the more formal, "Sanskritized" quality. As for Sanskrit usage, however, I think your analysis is accurate and correct. If I am all wet on any of this, I hope some kind members will step forward and correct me. DB , kalipadma@j... wrote: > > "Namaste" means, "I bow to Thee." "Namaskar" mwans "I make a bow." (Or > so I've been told.) I think "Namaste is considered more appropriate to > Deity, and "Namaskar" for human-to-human everyday use. I consciously > choose "Namaste," because I am re-emphasizing the Sacred component. > > If I'm wrong, someone please correct me? > > -- Len/ Kalipadma > > > On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 04:45:50 -0000 "Mary Ann" > <maryann@m...> writes: > > > > BTW: did you just post something about the word "Namaste"? A > > yoga teacher I work with in Venice (CA) said she was told in India > > that "Namaste" is not the greeting, but that the greeting is > > "Namaskar." I forget what she said they told her Namaste meant, > > but she doesn't say it in class anymore. Do you know what this is > > about? > > > > > ______________ > The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! > Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! > Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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