What Does Namaste Mean In Sanskrit?
The Sanskrit phrase “namaste” is formed from “ Namah” meaning obeisance, adoration, bow. And the pronoun ‘te’ referred to ‘to you’. The noun ‘namah’ is derived from the verb ‘namati’ meaning bends or bow.
The phrase ‘namaste’ was initially used for an American Board readership, associated with the leaders and newly independent India.
The gesture “namaste” stand-in for the belief that there is a divine spark that resides in our heart chakra in each one of us. The gesture explains the acknowledgment of one soul to another.
Definition of Namaste – Origin and Meaning
The phrase Namaste is derived from Sanskrit and is a combination of a noun and a pronoun, ‘namah’ and ‘te’. The sandhi of the word namah is taken from namas before the sound te.
The word was found in Vedic literature. Namas-Krita and other related terms were seen in the Hindu scripture Rigveda such as in the Vivaha Sukta. In the Atharvaveda, ‘Namaskara’ represents “homage, exclamatory adoration, worship, and salutation”.
It is an expression of worship, reverence, and veneration. According to Indologist, ‘te’ and ‘tvam’ in Sanskrit are an informal form of ‘you’. The gesture ‘namaste’ is not used for unfamiliar adults. It is reserved for known adults, divine, or children.
In the contemporary era, ‘namah’ means ‘ namaste bow’ and ‘te’ refers to ‘you’. In Hinduism, it is also considered to be a spiritual gesture reflecting the belief in the divine.
Gesture of Namaste
The gesture of folding hands is known as the Anjali Mudra. The mudra is one of the postures seen in classical dance including Bharatnatyam and in various Yoga practices.
The Anjali Mudra differs from Namastey because of its non-verbal gesture. It is believed that the mudra and namaste are very similar but have precise differences. The back of the thumb in the Anjali Mudra lies perpendicular to the chest on contrary, thumbs in namaste are aligned with the fingers.
How to Make The Namaste Gesture
To do a namaste gesture, we place our hands together at the heart chakra and bow the head while closing our eyes. It can also be performed by placing our hands together in front of the third eye and then bringing them down nearer to the heart chakra
It is considered to be a deep form of respect. In the West, the phrase ‘namaste’ is spoken in conjunction with the gesture. On the contrary, in India, it is understood by the gesture, so it is irrelevant to use the word while bowing down the head.
The gesture is performed near the heart chakra to increase the flow of Divine love. While bowing down the head with eyes closed surrenders your mind to the divine heart.
People enact Yoga greeting namaste while meditating to go deeper inside the heart chakra.
Namaste bow allows two souls to connect together energetically to a place free from ego-connection and timeliness.
Why Do We Say Namaste?
In the era of the ’90s, namaste was considered to be the novel way to greet fellow yogis in the Yoga session. It was said with fear and often seemed a little awkward. But nowadays the phrase is used quite often and that we have forgotten the actual reason why we say it.
The gesture namaste is enacted to acknowledge and honor the other person and the divinity within yourself. Namaste is often performed with hands folded together and a bow-down head. It is a beautiful expression of showing respect, love, and humility to another person.
We often say namaste so that the teaching of the phrase gives seep into our consciousness. It is quite often used to make another person aware of your presence.
In yoga, the gesture offers respect and admiration to the teaching that has been performed for several years and now is given to you.
When to incorporate Namaste Saying in your practice?
Namaste should be performed both at the beginning and the end of a yoga session. Ideally, it should be done at the end of the session because the energy present in the room is more peaceful. In the Yoga session, the instructor or the teacher initiates the gesture as a symbol of gratitude and respect towards fellow students. Through ‘namaste’ the teacher invites students to connect with the lineage and the teachings, allowing the truth to flow from the heart.
The recognition of our interconnected souls is what namaste is all about.
