Namaste, Namaskar, Namaskaram

Namaste also expressed as Namaskar or Namaskaram is Bharat’s traditional and ancient salutation. A Salutation to Divinity in all beings

CULTURE&LIFE

Krv

12/26/20235 min read

Namaste

Namaste also expressed as Namaskar or Namaskaram is Bharat’s traditional and ancient salutation. Bowing with folded hands is a sign of respect for the other person’s atman, the living soul inside each person. We, Hindus, believe that God resides in each person and should be treated, respected, and greeted accordingly. Namaskar (Namaste) comes from the Sanskrit word ‘NAMAHA,’ meaning ‘to bow’.

At the same time, you honor the divinity within yourself and emphasize that you are also part of the same divinity that is in all life forms. The life force/energy, the spirit, the soul, JIVA which exists in all of us.

Life Energy, The Divine

We all know that every human being on this planet is alive because of the life force within us. To avoid semantics, we say that ‘life force/energy’ is not the energy, that is generated from food for various bodily functions to be carried out. I would be remiss if I did not extend and contend that the JIVA/PARAMATMA or the 'life force' not only exists in humans but in every other living thing on earth.

Namaste's Significance

Namaste is performed with the tips of the thumbs pressing lightly against the Sternum [Heart Chakra], Anja or Brow [Third Eye Chakra], or on the crown of the head [Crown Chakra].

In the Vedas of ancient India, Namaste was an acknowledgment and obeisance to the divine being who according to Hinduism is a part of all living beings, be it humans or animals. Over time, Namaste evolved not just as a salutation to God, it also was used to greet one another. Every living being, be it a small insect a large animal, or a human being, has a life force in common. The divine energy in all of us is the same. When this energy is in the body, it supports various bodily functions, and the moment it departs, the body ceases to exist. It is the end of all biological functions that support the organism.

Prana

In Hinduism, this energy also called Prana is recognized as divine energy. Its also called "life force", "breath of life" or also called "Chi", or "Primordial Energy" in other cultures and religions. So, When we perform Namaste, we are in essence, recognizing this "creative divine energy" within the other being and paying obeisance to it. It's a way of showing humility, an understanding of the deeper truth, that we are both essentially the same, in a different form. Such a deep acknowledgement opens up an experience, so wonderful, that we begin to realize that we are all part of the same divine life force. It's a humbling experience leading to a tremendous uplift in relationships, with the ability to understand, relate, connect, and identify oneself with whatever's happening with the other individual. It's also a step forward in the path toward enlightenment.

Animals, Plants & Prana

Folks from the Western culture unaccustomed to such deep philosophies will ask, 'Are we expected to perform Namaste to animals too'?. It will seem strange to them, as they are unaccustomed to such concepts. Western Cultures are knowledgeable about materialistic matters and generally tend to perceive Asian culture as primitive.

While there is a change in attitude in the Western minds, moving towards spirit, spiritual, pranic, and matters of fundamental nature of existence, we as humans, should at the very least be aware that all life-force in different forms are the same. After all, we are gifted with a mind, an ability to think, understand and perceive. Remember, the pranic force lives not just in animals but also in plants, trees, and other species of the same kind. Recent articles from the West, have indicated that plants not only live but communicate amongst themselves. Here's a link to an article from National Geographic published by ALLIE YANG on April 12, 2023. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/plants-can-talk-yes-really-heres-how#:~:text=To%20react%20to%20their%20environment,plants%2C%20it's%20more%20like%20plumbing.

These concepts are coming to light due to recent advances in science. In Hinduism, Prana as an interconnected life force has been known for thousands of years back. Stay tuned to read a follow-up article. Remember, plants can feel, but cannot react. At a higher level, animals can feel and react. They have a mind but do not have an intellect. We, humans, have it all & more.

AVATAR

These concepts have been explored in the movie Avatar by James Cameron. For those of you, who have seen this movie, you will understand scenes where Jake Sully kills the animal and prays the Na'vi Prayer;

I See You, Brother, and thank you. Your spirit goes with Eywa, your body stays behind to become part of the People. A concept is very much known in Hinduism. Other scenes, depicting trees and humans as an energy network of life are part of Hinduism. The word AVATAR is from Hinduism.

In Hinduism, we pray to plants, trees, and animals too. This culture has endured through centuries of existence. While we, in good faith, should respect every life form, we should not let other life forms disrespect us. After stripping all the modern social norms, rules, and regulations, we are all equals. Namaste does not mean obedience or submission to another's control.

Namaste With Thumbs Touching Chest Or Sternum

Namaste With Thumbs Touching Third Eye Chakra

Namaste With Thumbs Touching Crown Chakra

While performing Namaste, bring the palms together and

1. The fingers should not be held rigid while joining the palms

2. Fingers should be close to each other without leaving space between them

3. The thumb should not touch the rest of the fingers. They should point away from the fingers, in the direction of the person doing Namaste

4. The inside of the palms of the left and right hand should not touch each other. There should be some gap between them.

Bow down slightly from the waist and tilt your head forward. It’s important to remember that Namaste with the Thumbs touching the Third Eye Chakra and the Crown Chakra is only done when performing Namaskar to BHAGAWAN, during prayers at temples, or at home.

It’s said that Namaskaram [Thumbs touching Third-Eye and Crown Chakra] should be performed for as long as possible during Pooja. While performing Namaskaram, we should enter the stage of spiritual emotion or BHAV, a feeling of reverence and spiritual attitude, immersing in thoughts of Bhagavan’s holiness, an intense awareness of the presence of God

Namaste With Thumbs Touching Sternum

Namaste With Thumbs Touching Top Of Head

Namaste With Thumbs Touching Brow

Namaste Is Not a 'Hello'

We press our palms together and then bow our heads and upper body to the person we meet. Quite often, a small bow, an acknowledgment with folded hands means Namaste. Make no mistake, it’s nowhere near the greeting 'Hello'.

Namaste stands for “I salute the divinity in you”, expressing Greeting, Humility, and Respect.

We also use it to bid someone Goodbye. On occasions, it’s used to show a sign of gratitude to thank the other person for their kindness. And, most importantly Namaste is used when we pray to BHAGAWAN [God] in devotion & reverence.

A Quote From Bhagavad Gita

I am the ultimate consciousness situated within the hearts of all living entities, and I am the beginning, the middle and the end as well, of all living entities