Namaste—”I bow to the divine in you”

With the recent upsurge of COVID-19, efforts are being made worldwide to target this coronavirus with certain specific target medication and millions and millions of dollars are being spent to curb this menace. Whereas, literature has stated that in all the reported major coronavirus outbreaks (SARS, MERS) preventive measures like hand hygiene, cough etiquettes, social distancing, personal protective measures, environmental cleaning have played an important role.^1-3 Besides these measures ‘Namaste’ an Indian cultural salutation, a way practiced to greet each other is being given a lot of importance and recognition worldwide and is being opted as a measure to avoid contact, maintain hand hygiene and social distancing towards each other.

‘Namaste’ (or ‘Namaskar’ or ‘Namaskaram’) is a common cultural verbal salutation practiced, primarily in Indian subcontinent, since ages. The term ‘Namaste’ has been derived from two Sanskrit words; ‘namah’ meaning ‘bow’, ‘obeisance’, ‘adoration’ or ‘reverential salutation’ and ‘te’ connotes ‘to you’.^4,5 And, the gesture ‘Namaste’ epitomizes that there is a divine spark in each ones heart chakra i.e an salutation of ones soul by another. While greeting Namaste, one bows slightly with hands folded together, fingers pointing upwards in front of the chest. When the hand position is higher, above one’s head, signifies the utmost respect or reverence. In Hinduism, Namaste has a spiritual importance connoting that “the divine and self (soul) is same in you and me”. Henceforth, meaning of ‘Namaste’ states ‘I bow to you’ or ‘divine within me greets the divine in you’.^6,7 Holly Oxhandler, a sociologist has stated that ‘Namaste’ signifies “the sacred in me recognizes the sacred in you”.⁸ In the Rigveda, a Hindu scripture, Namas-krita (Namaskar) has the sense of “worship, adore”, whereas ‘Namaskara’ in the Atharvaveda, the Aitareya Brahmana, the Taittiriya Samhita and in other numerous Hindu texts connotes “exclamatory adoration, homage, salutation and worship”.⁹ In the Vedic literature, various ancient and medieval era sculptures and post-Vedic texts (Mahabharata), it is countenance of worship, veneration, reverence, an “offering of homage” and “adoration”.¹⁰ Read more....