The Meaning Of Namaste: Why Folding Your Hands Is More Than A Greeting In India

With palms pressed together and a slight bow, this is how people in India greet people with 'namaste'. This, over 5000 years old, practice is not just a greeting; it is also a sign of respect, balance, and spirituality. Even though it is a common gesture in India and Hinduism, have you ever wondered what the meaning of 'Namaste' is and why do we do it?

What is the meaning of Namaste?

The word 'namaste' comes from Sanskrit and means, 'I bow to you'. Namah means bow, respect and salutations, and Te means to you.

According to Spirit Of India, the gesture means, "The divine in me bows to the divine in you. The sacred in me recognises the sacred in you". It is also known as Hrdayanjali mudra, which means reverence from the heart, and Atmanjali mudra, which means reverence from the soul.

Joining both palms also represents the union of the opposites: sun and moon, ying and yang, and much more.

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Why Is Namaste More Than Just Hello?

Namaste goes beyond age, gender status or class. It can be offered to a saint, a stranger or even a king, as it acknowledges that the other person is a part of the same divine creation. It is used while worshipping, greeting elders or teachers, praying and even in Surya Namaskar.

Along with the spiritual significance, namaste is also a safe alternative to handshakes.

The Significance Of Namaste In Yoga:

Yoga has popularised the gesture of doing namaste in the western countries as well. In yoga, the gesture of folded hands is called 'Anjali Mudra', where you have to press palms together evenly with fingers pointing up. Thumbs should lightly touch the sternum at the heart chakra.

It is also seen in Pranamasana and Pranam, which are the prayer positions.

At the beginning of yoga, people do the yoga gesture to set the intention of being present and honouring the practice. Towards the end, the teacher and students bow to each other to close the practice.

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What is the history of namaste?

The references to namaste and folded hand gestures date back to the Indus Valley civilisation around 3000 BCE ago. It appears in the Rig Veda and the Atharvaveda. Apart from Hinduism, other religions like Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism have also adopted the namaste in their culture.

Archaeologists even found many artifacts from Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, showcasing figures with hands pressed in prayer. Later, it is mentioned in the Rig Veda repeatedly as 'namah', the Atharvaveda and Yajurveda to honour water, fire, sun and gods, and even in the Upanishads, but for recognising Atman (soul). In the scriptures and classical texts like Mahabharata and Ramayana, the characters constantly use namaste as the gesture to greet each other.

It is beautiful to see how a simple gesture has survived for over 5000 years in Hinduism and the Indian subcontinent. From being a symbol of honouring deities to becoming a gesture of greeting one with respect, namaste never went out of style despite numerous changes.

(Image Credits: Magnific)
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