Why do we do namaste?

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Hindus greet each other with " namaste " . The two palms are placed together in

front of the chest and the head bows while saying the word " namaste " . This

greeting is for all - people younger than us, of our own age, those older than

us, friends and even strangers.

 

Namaste could be just a casual or formal greeting, a cultural convention or an

act of worship. However there is much more to it than meets the eye. In Sanskrit

namah + te = namaste. It means - I bow to you - my greetings, salutations or

prostration to you.

 

Namaha can also be literally interpreted as " na ma " (not mine). It has a

spiritual significance of negating or reducing one's ego in the presence of

another.

 

The real meeting between people is the meeting of their minds. When we greet

another, we do so with namaste, which means, " may our minds meet " indicated by

the folded palms placed before the chest. The bowing down of the head is a

gracious form of extending friendship in love and humility.

 

The spiritual meaning is even deeper. The life force, the divinity, the Self or

the Lord in me is the same in all. Recognizing this oneness with the meeting of

the palms, we salute with head bowed the Divinity in the person we meet. That is

why sometimes, we close our eyes as we namaste to a revered person or the Lord

as it to look within. The gesture is often accompanied by words like " Ram Ram " ,

" Jai Shri Krishna " , " Jai Siya Ram " , " Om Shanti " etc. - indicating the

recognition of this divinity.

 

When we know this significance, our greeting does not remain just a superficial

gesture or word but paves the way for a deeper communion with another in an

atmosphere of love and respect.