Significance of Namaste and What it Means

Try a simple experiment. Close your eyes, join the hands, near the heart and try to have some good thoughts. You can try this at a peaceful place like a quite room, temple or church wherever you feel peaceful.

You will discover that you will find it easier to concentrate on the goodness, you will have more devotional thoughts. The reason is when you have the hands joined near the heart, somehow the energy generated is more positive and the thought patterns become more positive in nature. When you greet someone with Namaste with hands folded, a positive energy and peace is conferred on the other person which in turn helps both of you.

Namaste is one of the most common popular form of greetings which is used in the world. Especially in the Hindu and Buddhist culture it is the most common way to greet each other. In yoga classes it is very commonly used towards the beginning or the end of the session. Let us try to understand the importance of this word.

Many words when used routinely become mechanical and the lose their significance. However, when we do not know the meaning it is even more to understand the significance of the word.

Namaste is a Sanskrit word which can be broken down into two word - 'Namoh' (I bow) and 'Te' (You) which means I bow to you. So essentially Namaste means "I bow to You". The inner meaning is I bow to your soul, inner beauty and virtues.

Namaste is a typical way to greet each other in many Asian countries, especially in the countries with influence of Buddhisim or Hinduism, though the word Namaste is replace by some other word depending on the local language or cultural influence.

Usually, it is accompanied by hands folded and placed near the heart. Namaste is typically used for greeting others who are at same level or seniors to you. The receiver of the greeting returns the greeting by repeating Namaste back to the greeter. For elders usually "Pranam" is the greeting which is more of respectful greeting.

As mentioned above, usually Namaste is usually said with hands folded at the heart level. Similarly when praying you can fold the hand at either the heart level or at the eyebrow level. This increases the devotional energy and you would find it easier to surrender to god or omnipresent being. Your heart will start filling with love and negative thoughts are washed away. You will find it easier to forgive others also.

Now that you are more aware of the significance of this word I hope you would find it easier to greet others with Namaste and also use if more in your prayers.