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Namaste (/ˈnɑːməsteɪ/,^[1] Devanagari: नमस्ते, Sanskrit pronunciation: [nəməsteː] ^ⓘ), sometimes spoken as namaskar and namaskaram, is a customary, non-contact form of Hindu greeting.^[2] In the contemporary era, it is found on the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and among the Indian diaspora worldwide. The gesture (but not the term namaste for it) is widely used in the parts of Southeast Asia where Indian religions are strong. It is used as a greeting.^[3]^[4] Namaste is usually spoken with a slight bow and hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointing upwards, thumbs close to the chest. This gesture is called añjali mudrā; the standing posture incorporating it is pranamasana.^[5]

Etymology, meaning and origins

Left: Hindu god Kubera on the left with a person in Namaste pose (13th century Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura, Karnataka, India). Namaste or Añjali Mudrā are common in historic Hindu temple reliefs.
Right: Entrance pillar relief (Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple, Kerala, India).

Namaste (Namas + te) is derived from Sanskrit and is a combination of the word namas and the second person dative pronoun in its enclitic form, te.^[6] The word namaḥ takes the sandhi form namas before the sound te.^[7]^[8]

It is found in the Vedic literature. Namas-krita and related terms appear in the Hindu scripture Rigveda such as in the Vivaha Sukta, verse 10.85.22^[9] in the sense of "worship, adore", while Namaskara appears in the sense of "exclamatory adoration, homage, salutation and worship" in the Atharvaveda, the Taittiriya Samhita, and the Aitareya Brahmana. It is an expression of veneration, worship, reverence, an "offering of homage" and "adoration" in the Vedic literature and post-Vedic texts such as the Mahabharata.^[10]^[11] The phrase Namas-te appears with this meaning in Rigveda 8.75.10,^[12] Atharvaveda verse 6.13.2, Taittirya Samhita 2.6.11.2 and in numerous other instances in many early Hindu texts.^[13] It is also found in numerous ancient and medieval era sculpture and mandapa relief artwork in Hindu temples.^[14]

According to the Indologist Stephen Phillips, the terms "te and tvam" are an informal, familiar form of "you" in Sanskrit, and it is typically not used for unfamiliar adults. It is reserved for someone familiar, intimate, divine or a child.^[15]^[16] By using the dative form of tvam in the greeting Namas-te, there is an embedded secondary, metaphorical sense in the word. This is the basis of the pragmatic meaning of Namas-te, that is "salutations to the (divine) child (in your heart)", states Phillips.^[15]

In the contemporary era, namaḥ means 'bow', 'obeisance', 'reverential salutation' or 'adoration'^[17] and te means 'to you' (singular dative case of 'tvam'). Therefore, namaste literally means "bowing to you".^[18] In Hinduism, it also has a spiritual import reflecting the belief that "the divine and self (atman, soul) is same in you and me", and connotes "I bow to the divine in you".^[19]^[2]^[20] According to sociologist Holly Oxhandler, it is a Hindu term which means "the sacred in me recognizes the sacred in you".^[21]

A less common variant is used in the case of three or more people being addressed namely Namo vaḥ which is a combination of namaḥ and the enclitic second person plural pronoun vaḥ.^[6] The word namaḥ takes the sandhi form namo before the sound v.^[7] An even less common variant is used in the case of two people being addressed, namely, Namo vām, which is a combination of namaḥ and the enclitic second person dual pronoun vām.^[6]

History

Excavations for Indus Valley Civilization have revealed many male and female terracotta figures in namaste posture.^[22]^[23] These archaeological findings are dated to be between 3000 BCE to 2000 BCE.^[24]^[25]

Anjali Mudra

The gesture of folding hands during a Namaste is called the Añjali Mudrā. In addition to Namaste, this mudra is one of the postures found in Indian classical dance such as Bharatanatyam,^[26] and in yoga practice.^[27] It is widely found in Indian temple reliefs and sculpture in mandapam, at entrances and iconography such as the Lingobhavamurti of Shaivism.^[28]^[29] The Anjali mudra differs from Namaste by being a non-verbal gesture, while Namaste can be said with or without any gesture. According to Bhaumik and Govil, the Anjali mudra and Namaskara mudra are very similar but have a subtle difference. The back of the thumbs in Anjali mudra face the chest and are perpendicular to other fingers, while the thumbs in Namaskara mudra are aligned with the other fingers.^[30]

Uses

The gesture is widely used throughout the Indian subcontinent, parts of Asia and beyond where people of South and Southeast Asian origins have migrated.^[19] Namaste or namaskar is used as a respectful form of greeting, acknowledging and welcoming a relative, guest or stranger.^[4] In some contexts, Namaste is used by one person to express gratitude for assistance offered or given, and to thank the other person for his or her generous kindness.^[31]

Namaskar is also part of the 16 upacharas used inside temples or any place of formal Puja (worship). Namaste in the context of deity worship, scholars conclude,^[32]^[33] has the same function as in greeting a guest or anyone else. It expresses politeness, courtesy, honor, and hospitality from one person to the other. It is used in goodbyes as well. This is sometimes expressed, in ancient Hindu scriptures such as Taittiriya Upanishad, as Atithi Devo Bhava (literally, treat the guest like a god).^[34]^[35]

Namaste is one of the six forms of pranama, and in parts of India these terms are used synonymously.^[36]^[37]

Since Namaste is a non-contact form of greeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested using the gesture as an alternative to hand shaking during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic as a means to prevent the spread of the virus.^[38]

Gallery

A side view of a Hindu man in Namaste pose
The ninth line from top, last word in the Rigveda manuscript above is namas in the sense of "reverential worship"
Statue with Namaste pose in a Thai temple

References

^ "namaste". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.). The British pronunciation is either /ˈnaməsteɪ/ or /naməˈsteɪ/, and the American is /ˈˌnɑməˈˌsteɪ/.
^ ^a ^b K V Singh (2015). Hindu Rites and Rituals: Origins and Meanings. Penguin Books. pp. 123–124. ISBN 978-0143425106. Archived from the original on 2019-12-17. Retrieved 2017-05-20.
^ Sanskrit English Disctionary Archived 2016-08-23 at the Wayback Machine University of Koeln, Germany
^ ^a ^b Constance Jones and James D. Ryan, Encyclopedia of Hinduism, ISBN 978-0-8160-5458-9, p. 302
^ Chatterjee, Gautam (2001), Sacred Hindu Symbols, Abhinav Publications, pp. 47–48, ISBN 9788170173977, archived from the original on 2017-01-11, retrieved 2017-12-28.
^ ^a ^b ^c Thomas Burrow, The Sanskrit Language, pp. 263–268
^ ^a ^b Thomas Burrow, The Sanskrit Language, pp. 100–102
^ Namah Archived 2014-08-27 at the Wayback Machine Sanskrit Dictionary
^ "उदीर्ष्वातो विश्वावसो नमसेळा महे त्वा । अन्यामिच्छ प्रफर्व्यं सं जायां पत्या सृज ॥२२॥, Griffith translates it as, "Rise up from hence, Visvavasu, with reverence we worship thee. Seek thou another willing maid, and with her husband leave the bride; RV, Griffith, Wikisource Archived 2020-01-05 at the Wayback Machine; other instances include RV 9.11.6 and many other Vedic texts; for a detailed list, see Maurice Bloomfield, Vedic Concordance Archived 2019-03-31 at the Wayback Machine, Harvard University Press
^ Monier Monier-Williams, Sanskrit-English Dictionary with Etymology Namas Archived 2019-05-18 at the Wayback Machine, Oxford University Press, p. 528
^ namas Archived 2018-10-06 at the Wayback Machine, Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary 1899 edition], Harvard University update (2008)
^ RV 8.75.10, Wikisource:
नमस्ते अग्न ओजसे गृणन्ति देव कृष्टयः ।
Translation: "Homage to your power, Agni! The separate peoples hymn you, o god."
Translators: Stephanie Jamison & Joel Brereton (2014), The Rigveda, Volume 2 of three, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-01-99363-780, p. 1172
^ Maurice Bloomfield, Vedic Concordance Archived 2019-03-31 at the Wayback Machine, Harvard University Press, pp. 532–533
^ A. K. Krishna Nambiar (1979). Namaste: Its Philosophy and Significance in Indian Culture. pp. vii–viii with listed pages. OCLC 654838066. Archived from the original on 2020-01-01. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
^ ^a ^b Stephen H. Phillips (2009). Yoga, Karma, and Rebirth: A Brief History and Philosophy. Columbia University Press. pp. 272 note 26. ISBN 978-0-231-51947-2.
^ This is similar to tu / vous of French and Romance languages in Europe, states the Indologist Patrick Olivelle, see: Patrick Olivelle (2005). Manu's Code of Law. Oxford University Press. pp. 346 note 11.205. ISBN 978-0-19-517146-4.
^ "Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon", Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries (search results), University of Cologne, archived from the original on September 25, 2013, retrieved March 24, 2012.
^ Namaste Archived 2014-03-02 at the Wayback Machine Douglas Harper, Etymology Dictionary
^ ^a ^b Ying, Y. W., Coombs, M., & Lee, P. A. (1999), "Family intergenerational relationship of Asian American adolescents", Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 5(4), pp. 350–363
^ Lawrence, J. D. (2007), "The Boundaries of Faith: A Journey in India", Homily Service, 41(2), pp. 1–3
^ Oxhandler, Holly (2017). "Namaste Theory: A Quantitative Grounded Theory on Religion and Spirituality in Mental Health Treatment". Religions. 8 (9): 168. doi:10.3390/rel8090168.
^ Sharma & Sharma (2004), Panorama of Harappan Civilization, ISBN 978-8174790576, Kaveri Books, p. 129
^ "Origins of Hinduism" Archived 2014-02-26 at the Wayback Machine. Hinduism Today, Volume 7, Issue 2 (April/May/June), Chapter 1, p. 3
^ Seated Male in Namaskar pose Archived 2014-02-23 at the Wayback Machine National Museum, New Delhi, India (2012)
^ S Kalyanaraman, Indus Script Cipher: Hieroglyphs of Indian Linguistic Area, ISBN 978-0982897102, pp. 234–236
^ Anami, Basavaraj S.; Bhandage, Venkatesh A. (2018-06-04). "A vertical-horizontal-intersections feature based method for identification of bharatanatyam double hand mudra images". Multimedia Tools and Applications. 77 (23). Springer Science: 31021–31040. doi:10.1007/s11042-018-6223-y. ISSN 1380-7501.
^ C Carroll; R Carroll (2012). Mudras of India: A Comprehensive Guide to the Hand Gestures of Yoga and Indian Dance. SD Publishers. pp. 44–46. ISBN 978-0-85701-067-4.
^ Douglas Barrett (1964). "An Early Cola Lingodbhavamurti". The British Museum Quarterly. 28 (1/2 (Summer)): 32–39. JSTOR 4422848.
^ Stella Kramrisch (1957). "Indian Sculpture Newly Acquired". Philadelphia Museum of Art Bulletin (Winter). 52 (252): 30-38 with Fig 2 and 3. JSTOR 379036.
^ Bhaumik, Gopa; Govil, Mahesh Chandra (2020). "Buddhist Hasta Mudra Recognition Using Morphological Features". Communications in Computer and Information Science. Singapore: Springer Singapore. pp. 356–364. doi:10.1007/978-981-15-6315-7_29. ISBN 978-981-15-6314-0. ISSN 1865-0929.
^ Joseph Shaules (2007), Deep Culture: The Hidden Challenges of Global Living, ISBN 978-1847690166, pp. 68–70
^ James Lochtefeld, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Volume 2, ISBN 0-8239-2287-1, 720 pp.
^ Fuller, C. J. (2004), The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India, Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, pp. 66–70, ISBN 978-0-691-12048-5
^ Kelkar (2010), A Vedic approach to measurement of service quality, Services Marketing Quarterly, 31(4), 420–433
^ Roberto De Nobili, Preaching Wisdom to the Wise: Three Treatises, ISBN 978-1880810378, p. 132
^ R.R. Mehrotra (1995), How to be polite in Indian English, International Journal of the Sociology of Language. Volume 116, Issue 1, pp. 99–110
^ G. Chatterjee (2003), Sacred Hindu Symbols, ISBN 978-8170173977, pp. 47–49
^ "Greet the Indian way: Israeli PM urges citizens to adopt 'Namaste' instead of handshakes to avoid COVID-19". www.timesnownews.com. Archived from the original on 2020-03-12. Retrieved 2020-03-29.

External links

The meaning of Namaste Yoga Journal
Modes of Greetings in Kashmiri, Indian Institute of Language Studies
Ancient Indus Valley Seal print showing Namaste/anjali mudra, CSU Chico

[1] "namaste". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.). The British pronunciation is either /ˈnaməsteɪ/ or /naməˈsteɪ/, and the American is /ˈˌnɑməˈˌsteɪ/.

[kvsingh-2] K V Singh (2015). Hindu Rites and Rituals: Origins and Meanings. Penguin Books. pp. 123–124. ISBN 978-0143425106. Archived from the original on 2019-12-17. Retrieved 2017-05-20.

[3] Sanskrit English Disctionary Archived 2016-08-23 at the Wayback Machine University of Koeln, Germany

[jonesryan-4] Constance Jones and James D. Ryan, Encyclopedia of Hinduism, ISBN 978-0-8160-5458-9, p. 302

[5] Chatterjee, Gautam (2001), Sacred Hindu Symbols, Abhinav Publications, pp. 47–48, ISBN 9788170173977, archived from the original on 2017-01-11, retrieved 2017-12-28.

[fm-6] Thomas Burrow, The Sanskrit Language, pp. 263–268

[fn-7] Thomas Burrow, The Sanskrit Language, pp. 100–102

[8] Namah Archived 2014-08-27 at the Wayback Machine Sanskrit Dictionary

[9] "उदीर्ष्वातो विश्वावसो नमसेळा महे त्वा । अन्यामिच्छ प्रफर्व्यं सं जायां पत्या सृज ॥२२॥, Griffith translates it as, "Rise up from hence, Visvavasu, with reverence we worship thee. Seek thou another willing maid, and with her husband leave the bride; RV, Griffith, Wikisource Archived 2020-01-05 at the Wayback Machine; other instances include RV 9.11.6 and many other Vedic texts; for a detailed list, see Maurice Bloomfield, Vedic Concordance Archived 2019-03-31 at the Wayback Machine, Harvard University Press

[10] Monier Monier-Williams, Sanskrit-English Dictionary with Etymology Namas Archived 2019-05-18 at the Wayback Machine, Oxford University Press, p. 528

[11] s Archived 2018-10-06 at the Wayback Machine, Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary 1899 edition], Harvard University update (2008)

[12] RV 8.75.10, Wikisource:
नमस्ते अग्न ओजसे गृणन्ति देव कृष्टयः ।
Translation: "Homage to your power, Agni! The separate peoples hymn you, o god."
Translators: Stephanie Jamison & Joel Brereton (2014), The Rigveda, Volume 2 of three, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-01-99363-780, p. 1172

[13] Maurice Bloomfield, Vedic Concordance Archived 2019-03-31 at the Wayback Machine, Harvard University Press, pp. 532–533

[14] A. K. Krishna Nambiar (1979). Namaste: Its Philosophy and Significance in Indian Culture. pp. vii–viii with listed pages. OCLC 654838066. Archived from the original on 2020-01-01. Retrieved 2018-11-02.

[phillips2009p272-15] Stephen H. Phillips (2009). Yoga, Karma, and Rebirth: A Brief History and Philosophy. Columbia University Press. pp. 272 note 26. ISBN 978-0-231-51947-2.

[16] This is similar to tu / vous of French and Romance languages in Europe, states the Indologist Patrick Olivelle, see: Patrick Olivelle (2005). Manu's Code of Law. Oxford University Press. pp. 346 note 11.205. ISBN 978-0-19-517146-4.

[17] "Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon", Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries (search results), University of Cologne, archived from the original on September 25, 2013, retrieved March 24, 2012.

[18] Namaste Archived 2014-03-02 at the Wayback Machine Douglas Harper, Etymology Dictionary

[ying-19] Ying, Y. W., Coombs, M., & Lee, P. A. (1999), "Family intergenerational relationship of Asian American adolescents", Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 5(4), pp. 350–363

[20] Lawrence, J. D. (2007), "The Boundaries of Faith: A Journey in India", Homily Service, 41(2), pp. 1–3

[Oxhandlerp168-21] Oxhandler, Holly (2017). "Namaste Theory: A Quantitative Grounded Theory on Religion and Spirituality in Mental Health Treatment". Religions. 8 (9): 168. doi:10.3390/rel8090168.

[22] Sharma & Sharma (2004), Panorama of Harappan Civilization, ISBN 978-8174790576, Kaveri Books, p. 129

[23] "Origins of Hinduism" Archived 2014-02-26 at the Wayback Machine. Hinduism Today, Volume 7, Issue 2 (April/May/June), Chapter 1, p. 3

[24] Seated Male in Namaskar pose Archived 2014-02-23 at the Wayback Machine National Museum, New Delhi, India (2012)

[25] S Kalyanaraman, Indus Script Cipher: Hieroglyphs of Indian Linguistic Area, ISBN 978-0982897102, pp. 234–236

[Anami_Bhandage31021–31040-26] Anami, Basavaraj S.; Bhandage, Venkatesh A. (2018-06-04). "A vertical-horizontal-intersections feature based method for identification of bharatanatyam double hand mudra images". Multimedia Tools and Applications. 77 (23). Springer Science: 31021–31040. doi:10.1007/s11042-018-6223-y. ISSN 1380-7501.

[CarrollCarroll2012-27] C Carroll; R Carroll (2012). Mudras of India: A Comprehensive Guide to the Hand Gestures of Yoga and Indian Dance. SD Publishers. pp. 44–46. ISBN 978-0-85701-067-4.

[28] Douglas Barrett (1964). "An Early Cola Lingodbhavamurti". The British Museum Quarterly. 28 (1/2 (Summer)): 32–39. JSTOR 4422848.

[29] Stella Kramrisch (1957). "Indian Sculpture Newly Acquired". Philadelphia Museum of Art Bulletin (Winter). 52 (252): 30-38 with Fig 2 and 3. JSTOR 379036.

[BhaumikGovil2020-30] Bhaumik, Gopa; Govil, Mahesh Chandra (2020). "Buddhist Hasta Mudra Recognition Using Morphological Features". Communications in Computer and Information Science. Singapore: Springer Singapore. pp. 356–364. doi:10.1007/978-981-15-6315-7_29. ISBN 978-981-15-6314-0. ISSN 1865-0929.

[31] Joseph Shaules (2007), Deep Culture: The Hidden Challenges of Global Living, ISBN 978-1847690166, pp. 68–70

[32] James Lochtefeld, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Volume 2, ISBN 0-8239-2287-1, 720 pp.

[33] Fuller, C. J. (2004), The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India, Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, pp. 66–70, ISBN 978-0-691-12048-5

[34] Kelkar (2010), A Vedic approach to measurement of service quality, Services Marketing Quarterly, 31(4), 420–433

[35] Roberto De Nobili, Preaching Wisdom to the Wise: Three Treatises, ISBN 978-1880810378, p. 132

[36] R.R. Mehrotra (1995), How to be polite in Indian English, International Journal of the Sociology of Language. Volume 116, Issue 1, pp. 99–110

[37] G. Chatterjee (2003), Sacred Hindu Symbols, ISBN 978-8170173977, pp. 47–49

[38] "Greet the Indian way: Israeli PM urges citizens to adopt 'Namaste' instead of handshakes to avoid COVID-19". www.timesnownews.com. Archived from the original on 2020-03-12. Retrieved 2020-03-29.

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@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 A less common variant is used in the case of three or more people being addressed namely ''Namo vaḥ'' which is a combination of ''namaḥ'' and the enclitic second person plural pronoun ''vaḥ''.<ref name="fm"/> The word ''namaḥ'' takes the [[sandhi]] form ''namo'' before the sound ''v''.<ref name="fn"/> An even less common variant is used in the case of two people being addressed, namely, ''Namo vām'', which is a combination of ''namaḥ'' and the enclitic second person [[dual (grammatical number)|dual]] pronoun ''vām''.<ref name="fm"/>
-==Representations==
+===History===
 Excavations for [[Indus Valley Civilization]] have revealed many male and female terracotta figures in ''namaste'' posture.<ref>Sharma & Sharma (2004), ''Panorama of Harappan Civilization'', {{ISBN|978-8174790576}}, Kaveri Books, p. 129</ref><ref>[http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/2007/4-6/pdf/Hinduism-Today_Apr-May-Jun_2007.pdf "Origins of Hinduism"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226231134/http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/2007/4-6/pdf/Hinduism-Today_Apr-May-Jun_2007.pdf |date=2014-02-26 }}. ''Hinduism Today'', Volume 7, Issue 2 (April/May/June), Chapter 1, p. 3</ref> These archaeological findings are dated to be between 3000 BCE to 2000 BCE.<ref>[http://nationalmuseumindia.gov.in/prodCollections.asp?pid=36&id=1&lk=dp1 Seated Male in Namaskar pose] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223014905/http://nationalmuseumindia.gov.in/prodCollections.asp?pid=36&id=1&lk=dp1 |date=2014-02-23 }} National Museum, New Delhi, India (2012)</ref><ref>S Kalyanaraman, ''Indus Script Cipher: Hieroglyphs of Indian Linguistic Area'', {{ISBN|978-0982897102}}, pp. 234–236</ref>
+[[File:6th to 7th century Rajivalochan Vishnu Temple namaste 2, Rajim, Chhattisgarh artwork - 9.jpg|thumb|left|A Namaste gesture in the artwork of the 6th to 7th century CE Rajivalochan Vishnu Temple, Rajim, [[Chhattisgarh]]]]
-== Añjali Mudrā ==
+==Anjali Mudra==
-[[File:Añjali Mudrā (Praṇāmāsana).jpg|right|thumb|upright|Statue with hands in the most common Anjali Mudra position]]
+The gesture of folding hands during a Namaste is called the ''[[Añjali Mudrā]]''. In addition to Namaste, this ''mudra'' is one of the postures found in Indian classical dance such as [[Bharatanatyam]],<ref name="Anami Bhandage31021–31040">{{cite journal | last=Anami | first=Basavaraj S. | last2=Bhandage | first2=Venkatesh A. | title=A vertical-horizontal-intersections feature based method for identification of bharatanatyam double hand mudra images | journal=Multimedia Tools and Applications | publisher=Springer Science | volume=77 | issue=23 | date=2018-06-04 | issn=1380-7501 | doi=10.1007/s11042-018-6223-y | pages=31021–31040}}</ref> and in yoga practice.<ref name="CarrollCarroll2012">{{cite book|author1=C Carroll|author2=R Carroll|title=Mudras of India: A Comprehensive Guide to the Hand Gestures of Yoga and Indian Dance|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fn_c9wbLIeAC&pg=PA44|year=2012|publisher=SD Publishers|isbn=978-0-85701-067-4|pages=44–46}}</ref> It is widely found in Indian temple reliefs and sculpture in mandapam, at entrances and iconography such as the Lingobhavamurti of [[Shaivism]].<ref>{{cite journal|author = Douglas Barrett| title= An Early Cola Lingodbhavamurti|journal = The British Museum Quarterly| volume= 28| number= 1/2 (Summer) |year= 1964| pp= 32-39|jstor=4422848}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Indian Sculpture Newly Acquired|author= Stella Kramrisch| journal=Philadelphia Museum of Art Bulletin (Winter)|year= 1957|volume= 52|number= 252| pp=30-38 with Fig 2 and 3|jstor=379036}}</ref> The Anjali mudra differs from Namaste by being a non-verbal gesture, while Namaste can be said with or without any gesture. According to Bhaumik and Govil, the Anjali mudra and Namaskara mudra are very similar but have a subtle difference. The back of the thumbs in Anjali mudra face the chest and are perpendicular to other fingers, while the thumbs in Namaskara mudra are aligned with the other fingers.<ref name="BhaumikGovil2020">{{cite book | last=Bhaumik | first=Gopa | last2=Govil | first2=Mahesh Chandra | title=Communications in Computer and Information Science | chapter=Buddhist Hasta Mudra Recognition Using Morphological Features | publisher=Springer Singapore | publication-place=Singapore | year=2020 | isbn=978-981-15-6314-0 | issn=1865-0929 | doi=10.1007/978-981-15-6315-7_29 | pages=356–364}}</ref>
-[[File:Bodhisattva Seishi, met sokkel-Rijksmuseum AK-MAK-119.jpeg|thumb|A Japanese statue of Bodhisattva Seishi, doing Añjali Mudrā]]
-'''Añjali Mudrā''' ({{lang-sa|अञ्जलि मुद्रा}}), the salutation seal,<ref name="Rea 2007">{{cite web |last=Rea |first=Shiva |author-link=Shiva Rea |title=For Beginners: Anjali Mudra |publisher=[[Yoga Journal]] |url=http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/145 |orig-year=2007 |date=12 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611095440/http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/145 |archive-date=11 June 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=28 October 2019 }}</ref><ref name="yj1">{{cite web |title=Salutation Seal |publisher=[[Yoga Journal]] |url=http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/484 |orig-year=2007 |date=15 May 2017 |access-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722003125/http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/484 |archive-date=22 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is a hand gesture associated with [[Indian religions]], practiced throughout [[Southeast Asia]]. It is used as a sign of respect and a greeting in [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Nepal]], [[Bhutan]], [[Burma]], [[Thailand]], [[Laos]], [[Cambodia]] and [[Indonesia]], also used among [[East Asia]]n Buddhists, Taoists and Shintoists and amongst [[yoga]] practitioners and adherents of similar traditions. The gesture is incorporated into many yoga [[asanas]], and is used for worship in many [[Eastern religions]].
+==Uses==
-The [[modern yoga]] pose '''praṇāmāsana''' ({{lang-sa|प्रणामासन|links=no}}) consists of standing with the hands in añjali mudrā.
-===Etymology===
-''Anjali'' is [[Sanskrit]] for "divine offering", "a gesture of reverence", "benediction", "salutation", and is derived from ''anj'', meaning "to honour or celebrate".<ref name=yj1 />
-''[[Mudra]]'' means "seal" or "sign". The meaning of the phrase is thus "salutation seal".<ref name="Rea 2007"/>
-The gesture is also known as ''hrdayanjali mudra'' meaning "reverence to the heart seal" (from ''hrd'', meaning "heart") and ''atmanjali mudra'' meaning "reverence to the self seal" (from ''atman'', meaning "self").<ref name=yj1/>
-===Description===
-[[File:Indian sadhu performing namaste.jpg|thumb|left|A [[sadhu]] performing Anjali Mudra at his crown chakra in front of a sculptured figure in the same posture]]
-Anjali mudra is performed by pressing the palms of the hands together.  The fingers are together with fingertips pointing up.  The hands are pressed together firmly and evenly.<ref name=yj1/>
-In the most common form of anjali mudra, the hands are held at the [[Anahata|heart chakra]] with thumbs resting lightly against the [[sternum]].<ref name=yj1 />  The gesture may also be performed at the [[ajna]] or [[brow chakra]] with thumb tips resting against the "third eye" or at the [[Sahasrara|crown chakra]] (above the head).  In some yoga postures, the hands are placed in anjali mudra position to one side of the body or behind the back.
-Anjali mudra is normally accompanied by a slight bowing of the head.
-{{Clear left}}
-===Symbolic meaning===
-Anjali mudra has the same meaning as the Sanskrit greeting ''Namaste'' and can be performed while saying ''Namaste'' or ''Pranam'', or in place of vocalizing the word.
-The gesture is used for both greetings and farewells, but carries a deeper significance than a simple "hello" or "goodbye".  The joining together of the palms is said to provide connection between the right and left hemispheres of the brain and represents unification.<ref name=yj1 /><ref name="Rea 2007"/> This yoking is symbolic of the practitioner's connection with the divine in all things. Hence, anjali mudra honours both the self and the other.<ref name="Rea 2007"/>
-===Physical benefits===
-Anjali mudra is performed as part of a physical yoga practice with an aim to achieving several benefits.  It is a "centering pose" which, according to practitioners, helps to alleviate mental stress and anxiety and is therefore used to assist the practitioner in achieving focus and coming into a meditative state.<ref name=yj1 />
-The physical execution of the pose helps to promote flexibility in the hands, wrists, fingers and arms.<ref name=yj1 />
-===Use in full-body asanas===
-While anjali mudra may be performed by itself from any seated or standing posture, the gesture is also incorporated into physical yoga practice as part of many full-body asanas, including:
-* [[Anjaneyasana]] (lunge) – with arms overhead<ref>{{cite web|title=Low Lunge|publisher=[[Yoga Journal]]|url=http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2494|access-date=2009-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404091024/http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2494|archive-date=2009-04-04|url-status=live}}</ref>
-* [[Hanumanasana]] (monkey pose)<ref>{{cite web|title=Monkey Pose|publisher=[[Yoga Journal]]|url=http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/874|access-date=2009-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404091049/http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/874|archive-date=2009-04-04|url-status=live}}</ref>
-* [[Garland Pose|Malasana]] (garland pose)<ref>{{cite web|title=Garland Pose|publisher=[[Yoga Journal]]|url=http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2472|access-date=2009-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327145536/http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2472|archive-date=2009-03-27|url-status=live}}</ref>
-* [[Matsyasana]] (fish pose) – an advanced variant<ref>{{cite web |title=Fish Pose |publisher=[[Yoga Journal]] |url=http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/786 |access-date=2009-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618074755/http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/786 |archive-date=2009-06-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-* [[Prasarita Padottanasana]] (wide-legged forward bend) – an advanced variant with hands behind the back<ref>{{cite web|title=Wide-Legged Forward Bend |publisher=[[Yoga Journal]] |url=http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/693 |access-date=2009-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611095508/http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/693 |archive-date=11 June 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-* [[Rajakapotasana]] (Pigeon Pose/King Pigeon Pose) – anjali mudra in Pigeon pose<ref>{{cite web|title=Pigeon Pose|publisher=Yoga Journal|url=http://www.yogajournal.com/article/beginners/pigeon-pose/|access-date=2009-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926073722/http://www.yogajournal.com/article/beginners/pigeon-pose/|archive-date=2014-09-26|url-status=live}}</ref>
-* [[Tadasana]]/samasthiti (mountain pose) – a variant of the pose used during [[sun salutation]] sequences<ref>{{cite web|title=Mountain Pose|publisher=Yoga Journal|url=http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/492|access-date=2009-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722154021/http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/492|archive-date=2009-07-22|url-status=live}}</ref>
-*[[Utkatasana]] (chair pose, literally "fierce pose"), arms overhead
-* [[Urdhva Hastasana]] (upward salute/extended mountain pose) – arms overhead<ref>{{cite web|title=Upward Salute|publisher=Yoga Journal|url=http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2489|access-date=2009-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226225707/http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2489|archive-date=2009-02-26|url-status=live}}</ref>
-* [[Virabhadrasana I]] (warrior I) – arms overhead<ref>{{cite web|title=Warrior I |publisher=Yoga Journal |url=http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/1708 |access-date=2009-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531091720/http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/1708 |archive-date=31 May 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-* [[Vrikshasana]] (tree pose)<ref>{{cite web |title=Tree Pose |publisher=Yoga Journal |url=http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/496 |access-date=2009-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502125549/http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/496 |archive-date=2 May 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-==Use==
 The gesture is widely used throughout the Indian subcontinent, parts of [[Asia]] and beyond where people of South and Southeast Asian origins have migrated.<ref name=ying/> ''Namaste'' or ''namaskar'' is used as a respectful form of greeting, acknowledging and welcoming a relative, guest or stranger.<ref name=jonesryan/> In some contexts, ''Namaste'' is used by one person to express gratitude for assistance offered or given, and to thank the other person for his or her generous kindness.<ref>Joseph Shaules (2007), Deep Culture: The Hidden Challenges of Global Living, {{ISBN|978-1847690166}}, pp. 68–70</ref>
@@ Line 92: / Line 47: @@
 Since Namaste is a non-contact form of greeting, [[Israel]]i Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] suggested using the gesture as an alternative to hand shaking during the [[COVID-19 pandemic|2020 Coronavirus pandemic]] as a means to prevent the spread of the virus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/greet-the-indian-way-israeli-pm-urges-citizens-to-adopt-namaste-instead-of-handshakes-to-avoid-covid/561118|title=Greet the Indian way: Israeli PM urges citizens to adopt 'Namaste' instead of handshakes to avoid COVID-19|website=www.timesnownews.com|language=en|access-date=2020-03-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312033101/https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/greet-the-indian-way-israeli-pm-urges-citizens-to-adopt-namaste-instead-of-handshakes-to-avoid-covid/561118|archive-date=2020-03-12|url-status=live}}</ref>
+==Gallery==
 <gallery widths="200" heights="200">
 File:Namaste to the rising sun, Hindu culture religion rites rituals sights.jpg|A side view of a Hindu man in Namaste pose

v t e Gestures
Friendly gestures	Air kiss Applause Cheek kiss Dap Elbow bump Eskimo kiss Finger heart Fist bump Forehead kiss Hand heart Handshake Hand wave High five Hongi ILY sign Kiss Liberian snap handshake Namaste OK Pinky swear Pound hug Shaka Thumb signal Aegyo
Gestures of respect	Adab Añjali Mudrā Bow Canonical digits Curtsy Fist-and-palm Gadaw Genuflection Hand-kiss Hat tip Kowtow Kuji-in Mano Mudra Namaste Ojigi Orans Pranāma Prostration Sampeah Sembah Schwurhand Wai Zolgokh
Salutes	Bellamy salute Nazi salute Raised fist Roman salute Scout sign and salute Three-finger salute (Serbian) Three-finger salute (pro-democracy) Two-finger salute Vulcan salute Wolf salute Zogist salute
Celebratory gestures	Applause Crossed hands Fist pump High five Low five Victory clasp V sign
Finger-counting	Chinese number gestures Chisanbop Finger binary
Obscene gestures	Anasyrma Bras d'honneur Fig sign Middle finger Mooning Mountza Nazi salute Sign of the horns Shocker Thumb/index-finger ring Reversed V sign Wanker
Taunts	Akanbe Loser Talk to the hand
Head motions	Head bobble Head shake Nod
Other gestures	Air quotes Allergic salute Aussie salute Awkward turtle Che vuoi? Crossed fingers Distress signal Duterte fist Facepalm Eyelid pull Finger gun Gang signal Hand-in-waistcoat Hand rubbing Jazz hands Laban sign Merkel-Raute Pointing Pollice verso Shrug Sign of the cross
Related	List of gestures Articulatory gestures Hand signals Manual communication Mudras Nonverbal communication Sign language