Wishesh magazine february 2018 Wishesh magazine february 2018 | Page 32

INDIAN DIASPORA CULTURE
It has a spiritual significance
of negating or reducing
one’s ego in the presence of
another.
In Sanskrit, the word is
namah (to bow) and te (you),
meaning “I bow to you.” In,
other words, “greetings,
salutations, or prostration to
you.” The word namaha can
also be literally interpreted
as “na ma” (not mine). It
has a spiritual significance
of negating or reducing
one’s ego in the presence of
another.
The real meeting between
people is the meeting of
their minds. When we greet
another, we do so with namaste,
which means, “may our minds
meet,” indicated by the folded
palms placed before the chest.
The bowing down of the head
is a gracious form of extending
friendship in love and humility.
In Kannada, the same
greeting is Namaskara and
Namaskaragalu; in Tamil,
Kumpiṭu; in elugu, Dandamu,
Dandaalu, Namaskaralu
and Pranamamu; in Bengali,
Nōmōshkar and Prōnäm; and in
Assamese, Nômôskar.
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How and Why to
Use “Namaste”
Namaste is more than a word
we say, it has its own hand
gesture or mudra. To use it
properly:
* Bend your arms upwards
at the elbow and face the two
palms of your hands.
* Place the two palms together
and in front of your chest.
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