“Namaste” is the spiritual way of greeting someone or each other per Hindu culture. Namaste is a very humble posture of starting a conversation in India. Whether the person is known or stranger, younger or older, Indians show this courtesy to greet someone.

The technique: People place the two palms together in front of the chest and leans the head while addressing as Namaste. This form of salutation has a spiritual significance, which is diminishing one’s ego in the presence of another.

So what does Namaste mean? The word came from Sanskrit. Nama means “bow”, as means “I”, and te means “you”. So, Namaste means “I bow to you” or “My greeting”. This traditional way of greeting is mention in Vedas, our sacred texts. Indians have practiced this ritual for generations. They chose Namaste over handshake to start or end a conversation with others.

Indians believe that the meeting of two people means the connection between two minds. The posture of Namaste means “may our minds meet”. In India, the gesture itself signifies as Namaste. It is a way of showing respect to one another. The bowing down of the head is an amiable form of prolonging friendship in love, respect, and humbleness.

Some people use the position in the form of Namaste yoga. Even students practice Namaste to show respect to their teachers in class.

Hindus show the same gesture with close eyes during prayer and worship to God as well. The belief is, the life force, the divinity, the self, or the God in us is the same in all. In Hinduism, this is also the way of welcoming people.

Also, Namaste is healthier as it avoids physical contact in the era of Covid-19, SARS, Ebola, or other contagious diseases. So readers, what will you consider from now- Namaste or handshake?

Feature Image Credit: Image by swamiananda from Pixabay (free for commercial use)

Read more about namaste and Anjali mudra: https://healthylife.werindia.com/body-and-mind/namaste-anjali-mudra