We are virtually nobodies while the Cosmos is
the Ultimate Being
While greeting any one in Hindu culture one
takes the name of GOD, the supreme Brahma. It reminds us that we are nothing,
Every thing is GOD.
This traditional greeting of India
NAMASKAR is made of three words: NAMAH +
OM + KAR
NAMAH means NOT ME. It is a negation of one's
identity and hence of one's ego or arrogance. It signifies that I am
nothing.
KAR means shape/form of or manifestation
of.
OMKAR therefore signifies manifestation of OM , the UNIVERSE, the cosmos, BRAHMA, SHIVA or GOD.
OMKAR is omnipresent and omnipotent.
NAMASKAR therefore indicates that I am nothing
while the OMKAR is every thing. IT also gives respect to the one you say Namaskar.
That I am nothing and you are GOD. In vedantic text we are taught to give
respect to atihiti (atithi devo bhava)
When you bow to say namaskar and try to get
angry. You can not. As the body posture does not allow you to do so. For an
angry posture you must have expansion of the chest wall and not the flexion of
the chest wall.
Other schools of thought:
NAMASKAR= NAM
AS means "To Be" or "To
Exist". A word derived from Astitva which means existence.
KAR means doer or one who makes or creates.
For example, KAR can be seen in the words Kalakar, Chitrakar, Karmkar,
Charmkar. In the above words, the suffix kar leads to the meaning of one who
creates work.
ASKAR therefore means the creator of all that
exists, the GOD.
Namaskar therefore has the same meaning: I am
nothing every thing is the GOD
Other meanings
1. Some people interpret NAMAH as “I Bow to”. Ultimately
the deeper meaning remains the same. I bow to GOD. Here you are considering the
other person as GOD. Which is one of Mahavakyas from Chandogya Upanishad in Sam
Veda, “Tat Tyam Asi” (you are that).
2. "I salute the Almighty within you." The
true Namaste gesture is is accompanied by bowing the head and shoulders
slightly. This is a gesture that lessens our sense of ego and self-centredness,
requiring some humility to do it well — whereas shaking hands can be quite an
arrogant event.
3. Its a sign of respect and peace
4. I bow to God in you; I love you and I respect you, as
there is no one like you."
5. The word 'Namo' can be split into 'Na' + 'Mama' -
meaning 'Not mine'.
6. In AHIRBUDNYA SAMHITA, Siva explains the meaning of
Namah in three ways:
• STULA ARTHA: Gross etymological derivation
referring to the inherent nature of the Jeeva as Sesha. Bowing the body is
acceptance of the greatness of the one bowed to; when done with the eight angas
( limbs), it is 'Sashtanga' and is the perfect Namas.
• SUKSHMA ARTHA: Subtle meaning as seen in 'Nirukta'
when it refers to bowing in thought , word and deed with an understanding of
the bowing to be a Sadhyopaya ( means).
• PARA ARTHA:
Supreme meaning derived from the Sastras thus: NA indicating the Upaya; MA
indicating its importance and S indicating Bhagavan, the Siddhopaya.( goal
)
NAMASTE
Namaste = NAMAH + TE
Namah means Not Me
Te means “they”.
The literal meaning of NAMASTE hence is
"Not me, they". The word they refer to “GOD”.
NAMASTE = that the doer of everything is not
me but the Gods.
Other means of greetings
1. RAM-RAM
2. JAI
SHRI KRISHNA
3. HARE
KRISHNA
4. JAI SHRI RAM
5. AI SIYA RAM
6. Sikhs say SAT SHRI AKAL, which means that Truth
is the God and is timeless.
7. Sikhs also say WAHE GURUJI KA KHALSA, WAHE GURUJI
KI FATEH. This is a declaration that the ultimate victory will be of the Guru
and his followers.
8. Muslims say KHUDA HAFIZ, which means Khuda is
the Protector.
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