Namasté is the ancient Sanskrit word for “I bow to the divine” and is a common greeting used in India and South East Asia. It commonly means “have a nice day” but when you say it in a different language it means so much more. So, let’s bow and say Namasté to each other and to the world.
Namasté – “I bow to you.” It’s the most common greeting in the world. For good reason. No matter what language you speak, no matter what the occasion, the meaning of Namasté is the same. The gesture is a form of respect and gratitude.
Namasté: The word, Namasté, means “I bow to you”. It is a common Hindu salutation and the first step of the Triple Gem. In Sanskrit, the word namastē means “I bow to you” or “I pay homage to you”. It is used in greetings in Indian and Hindu culture, as well as among Buddhists and Jains. It is more than a mere greeting, it’s a way of showing respect and gratitude. Hindus often greet each other with Namasté. It is also customary to receive a Namasté at the beginning of a ceremony or religious service. Namasté is used to greet people in countries where the Hindu religion is followed, such as India, Nepal
Namasté. I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase before, and maybe even used it yourself at the start or conclusion of a yoga practice. Have you ever wondered what the term ‘Namasté’ means? Is there a deeper significance to the physical action (touching your hands) and the word’s expression? Let’s take a closer look at this!
Table of Contents
The Power of Words
Indeed it does have a meaning! Let us begin with the definition of Namasté, as stated in ancient Hindu literature. The term ‘Namasté’ is a combination of two different Sanskrit words – ‘Namah’ (which means ‘bow’) and ‘Te’ (which means ‘to you’). So in the simplest of terms, the word Namasté translates to “I bow to you.” By the way, there is no right or wrong in terms of putting an accent on the e or not. Some people (like I), spell it “Namasté” because it implies that the emphasis lies on the letter “e”.
The Physical Movement
You may also be aware that the term Namasté is accompanied with a gesture that involves uniting the palms of both hands at chest level so that they point upwards, shutting your eyes, and bending your head slightly forward. When you welcome someone in certain Indian cultures by saying Namasté and doing this motion, you are basically honoring their being in the cosmos. It’s a kind and respectful gesture.
The Spiritual Importance
What you may not realize is that this gesture has a far deeper significance – one that is spiritual in nature. The palms are put together at the heart, which is known as the divine chakra of the body in yogic terminology. Closing your eyes and lowering your head symbolizes your mind’s surrender to the heart’s majesty. You can really perform a Namasté to oneself, which is a yoga meditation practice that enables you to explore your own holy chakra – your heart – more deeply. As you can see, Namasté is much more than a nice way to welcome someone. It’s also a fun way to welcome yourself…and the rest of the world.
Yoga and Namasté are two words that come to mind while thinking about yoga.
Namasté is often performed at the beginning and/or conclusion of a yoga practice (notice that Namasté is really DONE rather than SAID). Namasté is usually initiated by the guru. This is the guru’s method of symbolically showing appreciation to his or her pupils and gurus. The pupils respond with a Namasté to the guru, which binds them to the yogic tradition and enables the holy chakra’s energy to flow freely.
As you can see, just saying Namasté verbally and physically may give you with many of yoga’s fundamental advantages. Namasté is more than just a kind welcome; it helps you connect with yourself and others. Give it a go!
Namasté is the traditional Sanskrit greeting meaning “I bow to you.” It is the most common and well-known form of greeting in India and the birthplace of the yoga practice.. Read more about namaste translation and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of namasté?
Namasté is a greeting in many languages that means I honor the place where you are.
What is a Hindu greeting?
The Hindu greeting is known as Namaste.
What is the correct response to namaste?
Namaste is a greeting in which the speaker says the light in me honors the light in you.
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