Do you know the actual meaning of Namaste? You may have known it as a gesture to respect another. You might never have thought about it before saying it. But, do you know when and why do you say Namaste? Let me hold on for a while before you understand Namaste meaning and what my point is.
Namaste is a gesture, and it is more than what you think and hear. It is a gesture showing immense respect for the opposite person from deep within your heart.
What Does Namaste Mean?
The gesture Namaste has a spiritual meaning in yoga. It means “the divine soul of mine bows to the divine soul of yours” and, we hear it at the beginning and the end of the yoga class.
Namaste is not purely related to yoga. In ancient cultures such as India, people greet each other with a Namaste. This term is linked with yoga and Hinduism as well.
You will be amazed, once you get to know Namaste meaning (the deeper insights of Namaste) and how it has a universal appeal.
Definition And The Actual Meaning Of Namaste?
The word Namaste pronounced as ‘Na-Ma-Stay‘. The word Nama means – ‘bow’. Namaste is a greeting where one person bows forward with both the hands joined together keeping it close to the heart. It is a respectful practice to greet a person. It is similar to saying hello, but in a more respectful manner.
Namaste is a Sanskrit word and has been traced back since 1500 B.C. Isn’t amazing?
This gesture is a Vedic custom and is an act of expressing feelings such as politeness to the opposite person.
You might have been surprised knowing about how Namaste is more than what you have thought. Keep reading to know Namaste meaning and more.
Common Translations Of Namaste
There are many translations of Namaste. Here are a few of them and all these translations have a unique meaning.
- I honor the divine soul in you.
- The god in me bows to the god in you.
- My inner soul in me honors the inner soul of you.
- When you and I bow to the universe, we are one.
- The holy soul in me recognizes the divine soil in you.
- I respect the love, light, and the joy in you.
- I bow to the place in you which is the same as the one in me.
Namaste And Its Spiritual Meaning
When a person greets the other with a Namaste, it means” I respect the love, light, and the joy in you”. It creates a positive vibration to the person this gesture is intended to. This gesture connects the heart chakras during this holy saying.
In short, it is acknowledging the pure soul and giving it respect.
The gesture Namaste is intended to respect the soul of one by the soul of the other. When you utter the word “Namaste” your heart chakras connect and create positive vibrations. Positive energy is passed on to the universe with this divine gesture.
What Does Namaste In Yoga Mean?
Namaste is a practice in yoga done at the beginning and the end of the yoga class. It is performed to create a positive vibration between the teacher (or the guru) and the students.
The guru pays respect to the class apart to the teacher he/she has mastered. It is like saluting your teacher in a respectful way deep within your heart. This gesture sends a positive vibration to the universe and is to convey a message that we all are one and equal.
Namaste can evoke a feeling of spirituality in the class. This act refers to equality and unity among students in the class keeping them away from negative vibrations such as ego and competition.
In short, Namaste allows all the individuals in the class to come together creating a positive energy and connection, free from bonds such as ego and hatred. Hence, it is an excellent custom to begin and end your yoga practice with a Namaste.
The Usage Of Namaste
The gesture Namaste is prevalent in many Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Namaste is used to welcome guests, a gesture to greet people, to thank someone for their kindness, to greet your teacher, etc. In modern cultures, Namaste goes beyond a divine greeting. In western cultures, it is a greeting of affection.
Namaste is a Sanskrit word, but in Hindi, we call it Namaskar or Namaste. In Telugu, we use Namaste, Dandamu, or Namaskaram. In Kannada, we use the word Namaskaara, and in Bengal we use Nomoshkar. Tamilians use Vanakkam to greet people whereas, in Malayalam, people use Namaskaram to welcome people.
Namaste And Namaskar, Are These Two The Same?
Namaste and Namaskar are two different words but are used interchangeably in many situations. While Namaste means, salutation to you(namah+ te), whereas namaskar means I pay my greetings( namas+ kaara).
There are different theories behind these two words: which is appropriate and when to use it. One most nearly agreed is namaskar is used to greet multiple people whereas Namaste is used to greet one individual.
So, now you might have understood what Namaste is, let’s see how we should do it the right way.
How To Make The Namaste Gesture?
In Asian countries such as India, Namaste is a gesture often used to greet each other. To make the gesture, you should bring both your hands together and put them closest to your heart. Bowing heads with palms closed together in Anjali mudra close to the heart or the third eye( center of your forehead) creates positive energy. Make a bow while saying Namaste with your eyes closed. No objects should be in your hands while you make this gesture. It is a polite way to welcome people and offer hospitality.
In western countries, Namaste is usually a gesture made along with saying the word, but in India the posture itself signifies Namaste.
Things To Remember When You Make The Namaste Gesture
Saying Namaste is not like saying hello. It is essential to create a spiritual connection with your chakras while uttering Namaste.
- You should close your eyes while making this gesture as it is believed to create a more positive aura.
- You should place your fingertips gently together and bow a little. Make sure your palms and finger touch each other. Placing it closer to the heart evokes the heart chakras.
- Bring your hands closer to the heart and this will increase the flow of positive aura and bowing your head with your eyes closed can help you surrender yourself to the divine soul.
How To Adopt The Principles Of Namaste?
Namaste can help you change how you can carry yourself in your daily life situations. Greeting your friends, colleagues, and family members with Namaste can help catch your feeling of gratitude.
It creates a positive impact on your relationships as well. Image saying “I honor your soul” or Namaste, it tells someone that you are seeing them the way they are. And that little more attention could make them feel happy. Doing so wholeheartedly will make your day.
Namaste is a beautiful word, a wonderful gesture which respects and recognizes the inner soul and divine thing of a person. Gesturing Namaste is the best way to respect a person, deep down from your heart and soul. There is nothing to do with age when it is about greeting people with a Namaste. So, next time when you meet anybody, greet him or her with a Namaste rather than a hello or hi.
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