What is Namaste

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What is Namaste

 

 

`Namaste' or `namaskar' is the Indian way of greeting each other. Wherever

they are – on the street, in the house, in public transport, on vacation or on

the phone – when Hindus meet people they know or strangers with whom they want

to initiate a conversation, namaste is the customary courtesy greeting to begin

with and often to end with. It is not a superficial gesture or a mere word, and

is for all people - young and old, friends and strangers.

 

Namaste According to the Scriptures:

 

Namaste and its common variants `namaskar,' `namaskaara' or `namaskaram', is one

of the five forms of formal traditional greeting mentioned in the Vedas. This is

normally understood as prostration but it actually refers to paying homage or

showing respect to one another, as is the practice today, when we greet each

other.

 

The Meaning of Namaste:

 

In Sanskrit the word is namah + te = namaste which means " I bow to you " - my

greetings, salutations or prostration to you. The word `namaha' can also be

literally interpreted as " na ma " (not mine). It has a spiritual significance of

negating or reducing one's ego in the presence of another.

 

How to Namaste :

 

Bend the arms from the elbow upwards and face the two palms of the hands. Place

the two palms together and keep the folded palms in front of the chest. Utter

the word namaste and while saying the word bow the head slightly.

 

Why Namaste:

 

Namaste could be just a casual or formal greeting, a cultural convention or an

act of worship. However, there is much more to it than meets the eye. The real

meeting between people is the meeting of their minds. When we greet one another

with namaste, it means, `may our minds meet', indicated by the folded palms

placed before the chest. The bowing down of the head is a gracious form of

extending friendship in love, respect and humility.

 

Spiritual Significance of Namaste:

 

The reason why we do namaste has a deeper spiritual significance. It recognizes

the belief that the life force, the divinity, the Self or the God in me is the

same in all. Acknowledging this oneness with the meeting of the palms, we honor

the god in the person we meet.

 

Namaste in Prayers:

 

During prayers, Hindus not only do namaste but also bow and close their eyes, as

it were, to look into the inner spirit. This physical gesture is sometimes

accompanied by names of gods like `Ram Ram', `Jai Shri Krishna', `Namo

Narayana', `Jai Siya Ram' or just `Om Shanti' – the common refrain in Hindu

chants. This is also quite common when two devout Hindus meet - indicating the

recognition of the divinity within ourselves and extending a warm welcome to

each other.

 

 

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