The significance of saying NAMASKAR

One of the single contributions of Hinduism to the world to solve problems which trouble various nations is the weapon termed “Namaskar” a method to express the view that God resides in the heart of every person. Folding the palms and bowing the head can help us to ford across linguistic and other barriers. Namaskar diminishes our selfishness and induces in us the desire to help others and cooperate with them to fetch peace.

In religious parlance this step of displaying our utter humility is also termed “Anjali.” The significance behind this demonstration of one’s modesty is the acceptance of the theory that the obeisance shown is to the Almighty who has taken a birth in every heart. There is the presence of the Divine in all souls. This noble concept has been given to the world of culture by the Hindu religion.

Saying “Namaste” or doing the “Pranam”. Removes from us, the feeling of enmity, jealously and selfishness, it makes us forget the differences between the higher and the low. In the present day, people tend to give up their faith in God by monstrously constricting their hearts. Resorting to the offering of salutations to even those who may hate us can change the situation.

The classic example of invoking divine help in times of peril is that of Draupadi mentioned in our Scripture. When even her husbands could not help, she gave an open acknowledgement of her surrender through this gesture and God’s help was instantaneous. So did the innocent maiden of the village where the Lord resided during His incarnation as Shri Krishna in His youngest days. The scriptures beckon us to accept that God who has created us has also taken a place in our hearts.

The scriptures create an awakening in us that all are but the children of God. Behind this concept lies the tradition of doing the “Pranam” and prostrating by even aged men before sages, saints, Godly men and divine personalities though they may be young because they are messengers of God.