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Namaste/ Vanakkam


The Meaning of Namaste:

Namaste is derived from Sanskrit and is a combination of two words, "Namaḥ" and "te."Namaḥ" means 'bow,' 'obeisance,' 'reverential salutation' or 'adoration' and te means 'to you' (dative case of 'you'). Therefore the words namah + te = namaste literally means “I bow to you” - my 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 meaning of Vnakkam

The real meeting between 2 people is the meeting of their mind. When we greet another, we do so with Vanankkam, 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, love and humility. 

Why Namaste:

Namaste could be just a casual or formal greeting, a cultural convention or an act of worship. However, there is much more to it than meets the eye. The real meeting between people is the meeting of their minds. When we greet one another with Namaste, it 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, respect and humility.

Spiritual Significance of Namaste:

The reason why we do Namaste has a deeper spiritual significance. It recognizes the belief that the life force, the divinity, the Self or the God in me is the same in all. Acknowledging this oneness with the meeting of the palms, we honor the god in the person we meet.

Namaste in Prayers:


During prayers, Hindus not only do namaste but also bow and close their eyes, as it were, to look into the inner spirit. This physical gesture is sometimes accompanied by names of gods like ‘Ram Ram’, ‘Jai Shri Krishna’, ‘Namo Narayana’, ‘Jai Siya Ram’ or just ‘Om Shanti’ – the common refrain in Hindu chants. 
Namaste/ Vanakkam

Namaste in prayers

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