Indians greet each other with Namaste. The two palms are placed together in front of the chest and the head bows whilst saying the word Namaste. This greeting is for all - people younger than us, of our own age, those older than us, friends,
even strangers.
Namaste could be just casual or formal greeting, cultural convention or an act of worship. However there is much more to it than meets the eye. In Sanskrit,
Namaste means - I bow to you - greetings, salutations or prostration to you. It can also be literally interpreted as “nama”(not mine). It has spritual significance of negating or reducing one”s ego in the presence of other.
The real meeting between the 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 the
gracious form of extending friendship in love and humility.
The Spriritual Meaning is even deeper.
The Life force, the Divinity, the Self or the Lord in me is same in all. Recognising 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 do Namaste to a revered person or the Lord - as if to look within.
When we know this significance,
our greeting does not remain just a superficial gesture or word but paves way for a deeper communion with another in an atmosphere of Love and Respect.
Source: Chinmmaya Mission - By Swami Chinmmayananda
good one. thought provoking.
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