Significance Of Namaste

Author : Bhuvanesh Chaudhari

Should India follow the western tradition of greeting blindly? This question may not have to your mind. We think the western culture is the most mannerly, suitable and apt. But do we understand the significance of namaste? Have you examined deeply the western way to greet people?


Now you might wonder, I am against the western culture of greeting and in favor of the Indian namaste Today I will tell you every aspect of each greeting, and then you will be able to choose. We say namaste by joining our palms. In the west people shake hands and hug each other. In namaste, we bring the fingertips of our hands together. Then, the nerve circuits of the brain are linked, to the upper body's nerve circuits. A feeling of calmness and well-being immediately descends. In yoga, each finger represents certain energy. The index finger represents Tamas or dullness. The ring finger represents Rajas or Activity. The middle finger represents Satwa or Refinement. The index finger represents the individual soul or Jeevatma. The thumb represents Paramaathama and Ultimate soul. This gesture represents respect, reverence, and love towards the person we great. In yoga, this gesture also represents Anjali Mudra. It is the way to show that we keep our ego aside, to greet and express respect. It is believed as a way of achieving divine conciseness. In Hinduism the way your living body is made of 5 elements. The elements are Agni (Fire), Pruthvittattva (Earth), Pavan (Air), Jal (Water), and Akastattva (Vacuum). When we use the gesture, we directly relate to the vacuum element of the universe. According to the Hindu sayings, the vacuum element in nature cannot be distorted even when the universe will be destroyed. So, we absorb the Divine consciousness into your soul through the element. When we say the word Namaskar, we connect to the Earth element of the universe, and as both elements connect, all other elements come together and connect with your Soul. It results in the flow of Spiritual energy through the universe into that Soul. It also maintains social distancing!


So much science between a simple way of greeting. This is why we should follow the way of greeting 'namaste'. Our Indian tradition has always been extraordinary and scientific.