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Namaste

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Namasté, Namaskar or Namaskaram (Sanskrit: नमस्ते [nʌmʌsˈteː] from external sandhi between namaḥ and te) is a common spoken greeting or salutation in the Indian subcontinent. Taken literally, it means "I bow to you". The word is derived from Sanskrit (namas): to bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, and (te): "to you".[1] Namaskar is considered a slightly more formal version than namasté but both express deep respect. It is commonly used in India and Nepal by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists, and many continue to use this outside the Indian subcontinent.

When spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest. The gesture can also be performed wordlessly and carry the same meaning.

In Indian and Nepali culture, the word is spoken at the beginning of written or verbal communication. However, upon departure the only the wordless hands-folded gesture is made.

In yoga, namasté is said to mean "The light within me honors the light within you," as spoken by both the yoga instructor and yoga students.

Uses in South Asian culture

In the word namaste there is sandha or coalescence between the two Sanskrit words - namah + te - meaning " I bow to that (divinity) inherent in you." Also common is a polite form using the imperative astu meaning "let there be": namo 'stu te literally means "let there be a salutation to you."

In everyday life, namasté can be necessarily considered a religious salutation. However, namasté is salutation that is a Sanskrit term which can be understood to mean, that I respect that divinity within you that is also within me.[2]

Also when greeting a peer, a namasté can be said together with hands in front of chest and a slight bow. To indicate deep respect, one may place the hands in front of the forehead, and reverence for a god or the holiest of persons may be indicated by placing the hands completely above the head.[2]

Namasté is also used as a friendly greeting in written communication, or generally between people when they meet.

In some parts of India (for example, Punjabi-speaking areas), namasté is used not only to greet Hindus but everyone. The proper greetings for Muslims are As-Salamu Alaykum and for Sikhs Sat Sri Akaal respectively. But namasté is accepted in all religions. The gesture is used to greet (as well as a parting remark) people with the verbal "Aayubowan", hence it is called Aayubowan. Aayubowan roughly means 'may you live long'. When used at funerals to greet the guests, the verbal part is usually omitted. The aayubowan gesture is also a cultural symbol of Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan hospitality. This is also the means used by Sri Lankan air hostesses to greet passengers, and is used in other hospitality settings. When the gesture is performed with hands in front of the chest it is usually considered as aayubowan. When hand position is higher it usually means reverence and/or worship. The higher the hands, or the expression with hands placed on top of one's head, is usually the sign of utmost reverence or respect.

In Sindh(Pakistan) the gesture of namaste is still maintained by Sindhi muslims .

Symbolism in Hinduism

A sadhu performing namasté in Madurai, India.

The gesture used when bowing in namasté or gassho is the bringing of both hands together, palms touching, in front of the person—usually at the chest, or a higher level such as below the chin, below the nose, or above the head.

This gesture is a mudra, a well-recognized symbolic hand position in eastern religions. One hand represents the higher, spiritual nature, while the other represents the worldly self. By combining the two, the person making the gesture is attempting to rise above his differences with others, and connect himself with the person to whom he bows. The bow is symbolic of love and respect.

Particularly in Hinduism, when one worships or bows in reverence, the symbolism of the two palms touching is of great significance. It is the joining together of two extremities—the feet of the Divine, with the head of the devotee. The right palm denotes the feet of the Divine and the left palm denotes the head of the devotee. The Divine feet constitute the ultimate solace for all sorrows—this is a time-honored thought that runs through the entire religious ethos.

Meanings in global culture

Namasté is one of the few Sanskrit words commonly recognized by Non-Hindi speakers. In the West, it is often used to indicate South Asian culture in general[citation needed]. Namasté is particularly associated with aspects of South Asian culture such as vegetarianism, yoga, ayurvedic healing, and Hinduism.

In recent times, and more globally, the term "namasté" has come to be especially associated with yoga and spiritual meditation all over the world. In this context, it has been viewed in terms of a multitude of very complicated and poetic meanings which tie in with the spiritual origins of the word. Some examples:

  • "I honor the Spirit in you which is also in me." -- attributed to author Deepak Chopra[3]
  • "I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Integrity, of Wisdom and of Peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One."[4][5]
  • "I salute the God within you."
  • "Your spirit and my spirit are ONE." -- attributed to Lilias Folan's shared teachings from her journeys to India.[citation needed]
  • "That which is of the Divine in me greets that which is of the Divine in you."[6]
  • "The Divinity within me perceives and adores the Divinity within you."[7]
  • "All that is best and highest in me greets/salutes all that is best and highest in you."
  • "I greet the God within."

That said, these are all arguably simply attempts at translating the same concept, which does not have a direct parallel in English. In Buddhism, the concept may be understood as Buddha nature. Also used as Namo Buddhaye.

References

  1. ^ Oxford English Dictionary, Draft Revision June 2003.
  2. ^ a b Sivasiva Palani (1991). "Never Shake Hands With God". Hinduism Today. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ^ Chopra, Deepak (2007). Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment. Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0-06-087881-8.
  4. ^ Yoga Heals Us (2007). "Yoga Philosophy - Namasté". Yoga Heals Us. Retrieved November 10 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  5. ^ Dass, Ram (1976). Grist For The Mill. Unity Press. ISBN 0913300179.
  6. ^ TEDTalks (2005). "Rev. Tom Honey: How could God have allowed the tsunami?". Video Podcast. TED Conferences. Retrieved November 10 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  7. ^ Finnegan, Dave (1993). Zen of Juggling. Jugglebug. ISBN 9780961552152.

Further reading

See also

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