Namaste - its roots

[yajvan]

Hari Om
~~~~~

Namaste नमस्ते ,
I thought to offer this for those new to Sanatana dharma, and
the greeting namaste (pronounced "Nam-a-stay") insights.

What does it mean? If you have interest, take a look below. It will be done in two posts, as other friends have contributed to this overall post theres about 18 points for ones conisderation. So, for ease of reading this is post 1 of 2.

• Nama at first glance and to the casual user means means to bow, and also means name. The root 'naam' 'to honor', so we give pranams 'in honor' of that Supreme in others.
• Now , lets add mahah - we get 'great' . Why add this? Many Mantram's end in Namaha. Let see the relevence of this. This Mahah is from rishi Mahachamasya (found in the Taittiriya upanishad). He speaks of this vyahriti or sacred utterance, as Brahman. He also instructs that bhu, buhvah, and suvah ( typically associated with the Gayatri) are contained in Mahah.
• When we couple these (also called samhita) Nama + Mahah we get namaha. This then suggest we bow, and honor Mahah, Brahm with the utterance of Namaha. This becomes a profound and potent vyahriti that is added to mantra's, usually at the end and is found in japa, yajya, and puja.

So, from other friends that have discussed and written of this, here's a few more points of view:

Namaste is used as a greeting or upon parting. Namaste is a composite of the two Sanskrit words, nama, and te. Te means you, and nama has the following connotations: to bend to bow to sink to incline to stoop All these suggestions point to a sense of submitting oneself to another, with complete humility. Significantly, the word 'nama' has parallels in other ancient languages also. It is cognate with the Greek nemo, nemos and nosmos, to the Latin nemus, the Old Saxon niman, and the German neman and nehman. All these expressions have the general sense of obeisance, homage and veneration.

• 'The Spirit in me meets the same Spirit in you' or 'I honor the Atma in you as in me.' Translated into a bodily act, yogic practice, greeting and farewell, Namaste has its complex meaning and symbolism.

1. In general the gesture (or mudra) of Namaste is performed by bringing together both palms of the hands before the heart, and lightly bowing the head. In the simplest of terms, it is accepted as a humble greeting straight from the heart and reciprocated accordingly. (The following points are more proper explanation of Namaste from different angles).

2. The whole action of Namaste unfolds itself at three levels: mental, physical, and verbal.

3. Namaste starts with a mental submission. This submission is in the spirit of total surrender of the self. By performing namaste before an individual, we recognize the divine spark in him. Further, by facilitating our partaking of these divine qualities, namaste makes us aware of these very characteristics residing within our own selves.

4. We place the hands together at the heart charka, close the eyes, and bow the head. It can also be done by placing the hands together in front of the third eye, bowing the head, and then bringing the hands down to the heart. This is an especially deep form of respect.

5. We bring the hands together at the heart chakra to increase the flow of Divine love. Bowing the head and closing the eyes helps the mind surrender to the Divine in the heart. One can do Namaste to oneself as a meditation technique to go deeper inside the heart chakra; when done with someone else, it is also a beautiful, albeit quick, meditation.

6. The proper performance of Namaste requires that we blend the five fingers of the left hand exactly with the fingers of the right hand. The significance behind this simple act in fact governs the entire gamut of our active life. The five fingers of the left hand represent the five senses of karma and those of the right hand the five organs of knowledge. Hence, it signifies that our karma or action must be in harmony, and governed by rightful knowledge, prompting us to think and act correctly.

7. By combining the five fingers of each hand, a total of ten is achieved. The number ten is a symbol of perfection, and the mystical number of completion and unity. It is true for all ancient traditions. Ten is the number of the Commandments revealed to Moses by God. In the Pythagorean system, ten was a symbol of the whole of creation. Ancient Chinese thought too thought of ten as the perfectly balanced number.

8. Another significant identification of Namaste is with the institution of marriage, which represents a new beginning, and the conjoining of the male and female elements in nature. Thus in the exhaustive marriage rituals of India, after the elaborate ceremonies have been completed, the new husband and wife team perform Namaste to each other.


pranams,

[yajvan]

Hari Om
~~~~~

Namaste,

Part 2... some additional thoughts from some friends.

9. Namaste, which symbolizes the secret of this unity, holds the key to maintaining the equilibrium of life and entering the area where health, harmony, peace and happiness are available in plenty.

10. Namaste allows two individuals to come together energetically to a place of connection and timelessness, free from the bonds of ego- connection. If it is done with deep feeling in the heart and with the mind surrendered, a deep union of spirits can blossom.

11. Namaste recognizes the equality of all, and pays honor to the sacredness of all.

12. Namaste recognizes the duality that has ever existed in this world and suggests an effort on our part to bring these two forces together, ultimately leading to a higher unity and non-dual state of Oneness. Consequently, no sphere of our existence untouched by the symbolic significance of Namaste.

13. The gesture of Namaste is unique in the sense that its physical performance is accompanied by a verbal utterance of the word "Namaste." This practice is equivalent to the chanting of a mantra. The sonority of the sacred sound 'Namaste' is believed to have a value, corresponding to a creative energy change. This transformation is that of aligning oneself in harmony with the vibration of the cosmos itself.

14. In general, Namaste is usual for individuals to greet when they meet each other. It is not only a sign of recognition but also an expression of happiness at each other's sight. This initial conviviality sets the positive tone for the further development of a harmonious relationship. In human society, it is an approach mechanism, brimming with social, emotional and spiritual significance.

15. It is said also that in Namaste the hands are put together like a knife so that people may cut through all differences that may exist, and immediately get to the shared ground that is common to all peoples of all cultures.

16. It is interesting to compare Namaste with the 'handshake.' Though shaking hands is an extremely intimate gesture, namaste scores over it in some ways. You do Namaste with God (and not shake hands). It has been conjectured that both the Namaste and the handshake developed out of a desire on the part of both the parties to show themselves to be unarmed and devoid of malicious intention.

17. As much as Yoga is an exercise to bring all levels of our existence, including the physical and intellectual, in complete harmony with the rhythms of nature, the gesture of Namaste is a yoga in itself. Any yogic activity begins with the performance of this deeply spiritual gesture.

18. According to Indologist Renov "Meditation depends upon the relationship between the hands (mudras), the mouth (mantras) and the mind (yoga)". The performance of Namaste is comprised of all these three activities. It is in essence equivalent to meditation.


pranams,