Simultaneously with the popularization of yoga and Eastern philosophy, the Hindu greeting - namaste - spread around the world. It can quite often be seen in yoga classes, in films and books about the East and India, less often - in everyday life.
Translation “Namah” translated from Sanskrit into Russian is a bow, “te” - to you, thus, saying Namaste, we say: “The Divine in me greets and unites with the Divine in you”.
Similar to it in sound and meaning are the Muslim namaz (prayer, bow), the German neman, the Latin nemus, the Old Saxon niman. From all languages this translates as respectful, respectful attitude.
According to another version, “Na-mas” is interpreted as “Not-mine”, i.e. it suggests a willingness to share one’s values with God and the divine in another person.
What it means Namaste is both a verbal greeting (mantra) and a special position of the hands in space ( mudra ). The gesture looks like palms folded in front of the chest, accompanied by a slight bow of the head, is appropriate when meeting and parting. The folded palms are brought to the heart chakra, symbolizing respect, a wish for good, disposition towards the greeted.
The palm-to-palm hand position is called Anjali mudra in yoga. By connecting the palms to each other, a person prevents the prana from exiting through them, as if looping the energy flow.
It is noteworthy that in the European tradition, palms folded in front of the chest mean prayer, an appeal to God. In Hinduism, the Divine principle is present in everything, including man, therefore people greet each other with such a gesture.
Where and when it is used
The Indian greeting usually starts a yoga session. The state when the feet are next to each other and the palms are connected allows you to concentrate, brings consciousness and body into harmony. The bow calms the nervous system and sets you up for effective practice. This gesture also expresses humility. Performing it, a person must subdue his pride, humble his ego before the Higher Principle, concentrate on his consciousness.
Namaste allows a person to express their respect and greet him without invading his personal space and without allowing invasion into his aura, unlike Western types of greetings: hugs, handshakes, kisses. Thus, there is no unnecessary exchange of energy.
Anjali mudra, corresponding to namaste, is also used in other
yoga poses : during
meditation in the lotus position, during the performance of vrikshasana. The connection of the left and right hand balances the balance of energies flowing along the left and right sides of the body, brings them into harmony, improves physical health.
How to do it correctly To perform namaste, you need to fold your palms together at chest level, close your eyes and slightly bow your head forward. Connecting the palms will enhance the flow of Divine love in the body, closed eyes will help concentration of consciousness, the bowed head symbolizes bowing before the divine.
This pose is not just a gesture, but also a short meditation expressing love for God and man.
The position of the hands in namaste can be different, depending on who we greet. - Greeting an equal and a person of lower status, the folded palms are placed at the level of the chest, heart. The thumbs can rest against the jugular fossa. - If before us is a highly respected person, teacher, or elderly person - the palms should be connected at the level of the head, in the area of the ajna chakra (between the eyebrows). This will mean that we bow before them not only feelings, but also our mind. - Palms folded above the head express respect and bowing before the Gods, guru with all their being. During prayer, the hands are first raised above the head, then lowered to the heart area, after which a bow follows. Thus, namaste is not only a simple ritual of greeting, but also a prayer, meditation, a way to find peace and harmony with oneself, and improve health.
