Namaste

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram

 

Light and Love

 

(I received some mails with questions why I finish my contributions with the

word 'Namaste'.

Weeks ago sister Ajith Sankar asked me too to compile article about

Namaste).

 

"Namaste" (pronounced "Nam-a-stay") is used as a greeting or upon parting.

Namaste is a composite of the two Sanskrit words, nama, and te. Te means

you, and nama has the following connotations:

to bend to bow to sink to incline to stoop All these

suggestions point to a sense of submitting oneself to another, with complete

humility. Significantly the word 'nama' has parallels in other ancient

languages also. It is cognate with the Greek nemo, nemos and nosmos; to the

Latin nemus, the Old Saxon niman, and the German neman and nehman. All these

expressions have the general sense of obeisance, homage and veneration.

 

The word nama is split into two, na and ma. Na signifies negation and ma

represents mine. The meaning would then be 'not mine'. The import being that

the individual soul belongs entirely to the Supreme soul, which is identified

as residing in the individual towards whom the namaste is directed. Indeed

there is nothing that the soul can claim as its own. Namaste is thus the

necessary rejection of 'I' and the associated phenomena of egotism. It is said

that 'ma' in nama means death (spiritual), and when this is negated (na-ma), it

signifies immortality.

 

In general Namaste can interpret:

'The God in me greets the God in you' or 'The Spirit in me meets the same

Spirit in you' or

'I honor the Atma in you as in in me.' There are many other interpretations,

all have the same meaning.

 

Swami usually turns to devotees, students, teachers, listeners, etc.

"Embodiments of Divine Atma," and "Embodiments of Love," it is principally the

same as "Namaste," or more correctly the expression of meaning the word

"Namaste" by more understandable way.

 

Translated into a bodily act, yogic practice, greeting and farewell, Namaste

has its complex meaning and symbolism.

 

1. In general the gesture (or mudra) of Namaste is performed by bringing

together both palms of the hands before the heart, and lightly bowing the head.

In the simplest of terms it is accepted as a humble greeting straight from the

heart and reciprocated accordingly. (The following points are more proper

explanation of Namaste from different angles).

 

2. The whole action of Namaste unfolds itself at three levels: mental,

physical, and verbal.

 

3. Namaste starts with a mental submission. This submission is in the spirit

of total surrender of the self. By performing namaste before an individual we

recognize the divine spark in him. Further by facilitating our partaking of

these divine qualities, namaste makes us aware of these very characteristics

residing within our own selves.

 

4. We place the hands together at the heart charka, close the eyes, and bow

the head. It can also be done by placing the hands together in front of the

third eye, bowing the head, and then bringing the hands down to the heart. This

is an especially deep form of respect.

 

5. We bring the hands together at the heart chakra to increase the flow of

Divine love. Bowing the head and closing the eyes helps the mind surrender to

the Divine in the heart. One can do Namaste to oneself as a meditation

technique to go deeper inside the heart chakra; when done with someone else, it

is also a beautiful, albeit quick, meditation.

 

6. The proper performance of Namaste requires that we blend the five fingers

of the left hand exactly with the fingers of the right hand. The significance

behind this simple act in fact governs the entire gamut of our active life. The

five fingers of the left hand represent the five senses of karma, and those of

the right hand the five organs of knowledge. Hence it signifies that our karma

or action must be in harmony, and governed by rightful knowledge, prompting us

to think and act correctly.

 

7. By combining the five fingers of each hand, a total of ten is achieved.

The number ten is a symbol of perfection, and the mystical number of completion

and unity. It is true for all ancient traditions. Ten is the number of the

Commandments revealed to Moses by God. In the Pythagorean system, ten was a

symbol of the whole of creation. Ancient Chinese thought too thought of ten as

the perfectly balanced number.

 

8. Another significant identification of Namaste is with the institution of

marriage, which represents a new beginning, and the conjoining of the male and

female elements in nature. The idea of human divine association was often

expressed in terms of marriage, as in the description of nuns as "brides of

Christ". Thus in the exhaustive marriage rituals of India, after the elaborate

ceremonies have been completed, the new husband and wife team perform Namaste

to each other.

 

9. Namaste, which symbolizes the secret of this unity, holds the key to

maintaining the equilibrium of life and entering the area where health,

harmony, peace and happiness are available in plenty.

 

10. Namaste allows two individuals to come together energetically to a place

of connection and timelessness, free from the bonds of ego-connection. If it is

done with deep feeling in the heart and with the mind surrendered, a deep union

of spirits can blossom.

 

11. Namaste recognizes the equality of all, and pays honor to the sacredness

of all.

 

12. Namaste recognizes the duality that has ever existed in this world and

suggests an effort on our part to bring these two forces together, ultimately

leading to a higher unity and non-dual state of Oneness. Consequently, no

sphere of our existence untouched by the symbolic significance of Namaste.

 

13. The gesture of Namaste is unique in the sense that its physical

performance is accompanied by a verbal utterance of the word "Namaste." This

practice is equivalent to the chanting of a mantra. The sonority of the sacred

sound 'Namaste' is believed to have a quasi-magical value, corresponding to a

creative energy change. This transformation is that of aligning oneself in

harmony with the vibration of the cosmos itself.

 

14. In general Namaste is usual for individuals to greet when they meet each

other. It is not only a sign of recognition but also an expression of happiness

at each other's sight. This initial conviviality sets the positive tone for the

further development of a harmonious relationship. In human society it is an

approach mechanism, brimming with social, emotional and spiritual significance.

 

15. It is said also that in Namaste the hands are put together like a knife

so that people may cut through all differences that may exist, and immediately

get to the shared ground that is common to all peoples of all cultures.

 

16. It is interesting to compare Namaste with the 'handshake.' is Though

shaking hands is an extremely intimate gesture, namaste scores over it in some

ways. You do Namaste with God (and not shake hands). It has been conjectured

that both the Namaste and the handshake developed out of a desire on the part

of both the parties to show themselves to be unarmed and devoid of malicious

intention.

 

17. As much as Yoga is an exercise to bring all levels of our existence,

including the physical and intellectual, in complete harmony with the rhythms

of nature, the gesture of Namaste is an yoga in itself. Any yogic activity

begins with the performance of this deeply spiritual gesture.

 

18. According to Indologist Renov "Meditation depends upon the relationship

between the hands (mudras), the mouth (mantras) and the mind (yoga)". The

performance Namaste is comprised of all these three activities. It is in

essence equivalent to meditation.

 

References:

http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/namaste/

http://www.yogajournal.com/newtoyoga/822_1.cfmCooper, J.C. An Illustrated

Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols: London, 1999. Tresidder, Jack. The

Hutchinson Dictionary of Symbols: Oxford, 1997.

 

Namaste - Reet