Meaning of Indian Salutations.

vgvindan · Post by **vgvindan** » 06 Apr 2008, 18:49

Bringing the folded palms up to one's own heart is suggestive of 'pouring forth one's own heart' at the other, which is known in prayers language as iungo manus ante pectus.

And if it is lifted up to forehead, it is suggestive of 'concentrating with whole of the mind,'

and if hands are totally lifted into air it is for the god unknown.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SriRangaSri/message/8546
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/aranya/sa ... _frame.htm

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 06 Apr 2008, 19:22

One day, after class, my guruji and I saw a man stretched full out on his chest across the pavement, examining something under a vehicle.

My guruji grinned and said, "Look! He is doing namascaram to his car".

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 06 Apr 2008, 20:52

sAshTAnga namaskAram to the car, in this materialistic world (prostration with eight limbs)!

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 06 Apr 2008, 22:42

arasi wrote:sAshTAnga namaskAram to the car, in this materialistic world (prostration with eight limbs)!

That is the final option when the car refuses to start in the morning!

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 07 Apr 2008, 00:17

It was indeed, full prostration... that is what made it so funny; the posture was exact, I think he even had his arms stretched out in front.

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 07 Apr 2008, 00:19

rshankar wrote:
arasi wrote:sAshTAnga namaskAram to the car, in this materialistic world (prostration with eight limbs)!
That is the final option when the car refuses to start in the morning!

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 07 Apr 2008, 00:51

vgvindan wrote:
Bringing the folded palms up to one's own heart is suggestive of 'pouring forth one's own heart' at the other, which is known in prayers language as iungo manus ante pectus.

And if it is lifted up to forehead, it is suggestive of 'concentrating with whole of the mind,'

and if hands are totally lifted into air it is for the god unknown.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SriRangaSri/message/8546
http://www.valmikiramayan.net/aranya/sa ... _frame.htm

Dr. Leo Buscalia - the Love Professor from California State University, San Deigo - has beautifully defined "Namaste" as "I live in your heart and you will in my heart, let us co-habit." Dr.Buscalia is also a motivational speaker.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 07 Apr 2008, 01:05

... ... ... let us co-habit." Dr.Buscalia is also a motivational speaker.

I shall more careful in the future. :/

No wonder it seems to have largely surplanted, here in Chennai, with "Hi" and the offer of a hand to shake.

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 07 Apr 2008, 01:48

I have heard a more practical reason for the gesture. With both hands out and close to the chest, you are communicating that the other person need not be afraid of you, your hand is not on any hidden sword or anything but in fact you are welcoming that person. You are creating a safety and comfort zone with that gesture. In that sense, it is not much different from putting the hands straight up. May be there is a metaphorical meaning as well: you are not hiding anything from that person in your mind ( I just made this last part up

)

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 07 Apr 2008, 06:57

In which case, you would 'greet' with folded hands! Not in the namastE mode but folded across your front. Body language: defensive??

krishnaniyer · Post by **krishnaniyer** » 12 Apr 2008, 01:02

Actually the word "Namaste" said while joining both the palms together is to say "The true light in me is bowing to the true light in you".

The inheritant meaning is that, everyone is god, I see god in you which is the same as in me. I treat you the same way I treat myself. Lot of preachers do that. If you want to go further down to earth, the simple example of this (heavy) philosophy was discoursed by Kamal Hasan (yes the actor) in the movie "Anbe Sivam" - Yaar Yaar Sivam, Nee Naan Sivam (who is god, you and me are god)

Sincerely

Krish