People in India greet each other with the salutation ‘Namaste‘.
The two palms are placed together in front at the chest level, head bows and the word ‘Namaste’ is uttered.
This greeting is used irrespective of the time of the day, whether you meet up for the first time, to all irrespective of age and even to strangers.
The Western custom of shaking hands had its origin in the fact that in the olden days when people used to kill each other, even the known and the
strangers with a sword or a small dagger.
The act of shaking hands is to show that they have no weapons and they intend no harm.
Hinduism, on the other hand believes that ever human being is a manifestation of God and deserves respect .
So the offer Namaste.
The word Namaste is from Namah+the, meaning I bow to you.
When two people it is more than the meeting of the Physical body.
It is the meeting of the mind.
It is said in the Rig Veda, ‘ Let Noble thoughts reach my ears from everywhere’
Pathram Krnebhi Srunuaama Deva.
The God who resides in You resides in other Beings as well.
One offers respects to that God.
Another interesting feature is the self prostration in Hinduism, where one offers his respect to the God in himself .
It is called Atma Pradakshina.
It is performing circumlocution, clockwise, with the Mantra,
‘Yani kani cha paapaani janmanthara kruthaani cha
Thaani thaani vinas(h)yanthi pradakshina padae padae
May those omissions and commissions done in this life and in the previous births and the resulting afflictions perish with every pradakshina
“Sarvam Krishnaarpanam’
Image Credit.
http://ramanisblog.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/92e7f-namaste5.gif
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