Namaste

Woman performing namaste gesture. Photo by Steve Evans.

Namasté or Namaskar (नमस्ते [nʌmʌsˈteː] in Nepali and Hindi (from internal sandhi between namaḥ and te) is an Indian greeting or parting phrase as well as a gesture.

Taken literally, it means "I bow to you". The word is derived from Sanskrit (namas): to bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, and (te): "to you" .

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.

Uses in South Asian culture

In everyday life, "namaste" is not consciously considered a religious gesture. However, many believe it has a spiritual basis, in recognizing a common divinity within the other person.

When greeting a peer, a "namaste" with hands in front of chest and a slight bow is considered polite. The gesture is also intensified when a lower-status person performs it for a higher-status person. 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.

Namaste is also used as a friendly greeting in written communication.

In some parts of India (for example, Punjabi-speaking areas), Namaste is used only to greet Hindus. The proper greeting for Muslims and Sikhs being Assalamu Alaikum and Sat Sri Akaal respectively.

Symbolism in Hinduism

A sadhu performing namaste in Madurai, India.

The gesture used when bowing in Namaste 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 their differences with others, and connect themself to the person they bow to. The bow is a symbolic bow 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-honoured thought that runs through the entire religious ethos.

Similar gestures around the world

Gassho is the term used in Japanese contexts for the hand-gesture, and for the wider bowing, as a whole. In Chinese speaking places, the term 合十 (Mandarin: héshí; Cantonese: hahp- sahp-) is used. In Thailand, the gesture is known as wai (pronounced "why" with a falling tone).

In other parts of India, there are other ways to greet someone. For example, in Gujurat, people greet each other by saying, "Khem Cho," and responding with "Majama," or great.

Meanings in Western culture

Namaste is one of the few Hindi or Sanskrit words commonly recognized by English speakers. In the West, it is often used to indicate South Asian culture in general. "Namaste" is particularly associated with aspects of South Asian culture such as vegetarianism, yoga, ayurvedic healing or Hinduism. An internet search for North American businesses named "Namaste" and related to yoga turns up over 2,000 entries.

Westerners who learn about "namaste" from yoga often believe that the word is part of yogic practice, and that it has a multitude of very complicated and poetic meanings. Some examples:

• "I honor the Spirit in you which is also in me". -- attributed to author Deepak Chopra (needs citation!)
• "I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Truth, of Light and of Peace, When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One."
• "I salute the God within you."
• “I recognize that we are all equal.”
• “The entire universe resides within you.”
• “The divine light in me salutes the divine light in you.”

Often it is claimed, without scholarly justification, that these are not merely connotations associated with the gesture of "namaste"; it is claimed that this is literally what "namaste" means, or that practitioners can pick whichever meaning suits them best.

Music

Namaste Is a song title used by several artists to signify the significance of a song

Artists with songs named Namasté:

1. The Beastie Boys from the album The In Sound from Way Out!
2. DJ Cliché from the album The New Breed

See also

• Hindu
• Buddhism
• Greetings

External links

• Namaste: Ancient Sanskrit Blessing photo tutorial at About.com
• Namaste in Yoga Class
• Namaste! Brief article--prints nicely on a single page...