How to do Namaskar

Spiritual meaning of Namaste

       The spiritual meaning is even deeper.  The life force, the divinity, the Self or the Lord in me is the same in all.  Recognising this oneness with the meeting of the palms, we salute with head bowed the Divinity in the person we meet.  That is why sometimes, we close our eyes as we do namaste to a revered person or the Lord - as if to look within.  The gesture is often accompanied by words like "Ram Ram", "Jai Shri Krishna", "Namo Narayana", "Jai Siya Ram", "Om Shanthi" etc. - indicating the recognition of this divinity.

       When we know this significance, our greeting does not remain just a superficial gesture or word but paves the way for a deeper communion with another in an atmosphere of love and respect.

       Namaste is also a friendly greeting in written communication.  When the hand position is higher, it usually means reverence and / or worship.  The expression with hands placed on top of one's head is usually the sign of utmost reverence or respect.  The gesture Namaste represents and acknowledges the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us.  Hence, Namaste means, 'I bow to you' or 'the divine within me greets the divine in you'.  The gesture is widely used throughout Asia and beyond.  It appears in c.4000 years ago on the clay seals of the Indus Valley Civilization.

     There are different ways of doing namasste or greeting each other in other langues prevalent in India.

Telugu

     In Telugu, the gesture is known as Namaskaramulu or simply Namaskaram.

Tamil

     In Tamil, it is known as kumbidu, கும்பிடு which is composed of kumbu meaning 'to cup hands' and idu, 'to do'.  Vanakkam, வணக்கம் in Tamil too,  means the same.  

Kannada

     In Kannada, the gesture is known as Namaskara.  

Japan

     In Japan, the Namaste hand gesture is used in prayer and healing sessions and is called Gassho.

Sri Lanka

     Namaste is also in vogue in Sri Lanka and Nepalese cultures.  

Sikhs

     Sikhs also fold their hand as in Namaste, but their greeting is Sat Sri Akal.

Another way of Greeting

      Another way of greeting common in India is pranam or charana-sparsh, the touching of elder's feet.  It is an act of showing respect.  When greeting, children touch the feet of their elders in the family while people of all ages will bend to touch the feet of a great guru, murti or icon of a God or goddess.

Pranam in the way of Ashtanga

     One can do Pranam in the way of Ashtanga (touching the ground with knees, belly, chest, hands, elbows, chin, nose, temple) or Bhumishtha (bowing forehead down and touching the ground.  There are, however, many variations in offering pranam depending upon one's health, availability of time and other factors

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