- Namaste Meaning
- Namaste vs. Namaskar
- Social implications
- Scientific significance
- Spiritual significance
- When to use?
- How to Namaste?
- Benefits
The literal meaning of Namaste. Image: Canva
Namaste British English Pronunciation by Macmillan Dictionary
Namaste is more than just a polite greeting; it is a gesture rooted in India’s spiritual and cultural traditions. Unlike casual salutations such as “Hi” or “Hello,” Namaste carries layers of meaning, symbolising respect, humility, and the recognition of the divine essence within another person.
The practice of Namaste dates back to the Vedic period, where sages and scholars viewed it not only as a social custom but also as a mindful act connected to energy and consciousness. This simple gesture, performed by joining the palms at the heart centre, embodies a blend of science, spirituality, and holistic wisdom that continues to hold relevance today.
What does namaste means?
The word Namaste has its roots in Sanskrit, the sacred language of Hinduism. It comes from two terms: namah meaning “I bow,” and te meaning “to you.” At its most direct level, Namaste translates to “I bow to you.”
However, its meaning goes far beyond a literal bow. In the Vedic worldview, divinity is not limited to temples or deities it exists within every living being. Namaste reflects this belief. When spoken with the accompanying gesture of folded palms, the deeper sense of the word becomes:
“The divine in me bows to the divine in you.”
Over time, many translations and interpretations have been offered, each carrying the same essence of reverence and unity. Some of the most widely embraced include:
- I honour the place in you that is also in me.
- My soul recognises your soul.
- I bow to the place in you that is love, light, and joy.
- When you and I bow to our true nature, we are one.
- We are the same, we are one.
- I honour the place in you where the entire universe dwells.
Together, these meanings show that Namaste is not just a greeting; it is an acknowledgment of shared divinity and the unity of all existence.
Are namaste and namaskar the same?
Namaskar is when when greeting a large group. Image: Canva
While Namaste is widely known, its close counterpart Namaskar (or Namaskaram in South India) is also a traditional greeting. Both come from Sanskrit and share the root namah (“to bow”), but they differ slightly in meaning and usage.
- Namaste combines namah (“I bow”) with te (“to you”), and is often used in personal, one-to-one greetings.
- Namaskar (from namah + kara, “doing”) literally means “I offer salutations.” It is considered a more formal or collective greeting, commonly used when addressing a group or audience.
In practice, the distinction is subtle. For example, an artist at a concert may open with Namaskar to greet the entire gathering, whereas Namaste is more natural in personal interactions.
Thus, while both express reverence and respect, Namaskar emphasises the act of paying salutations, and Namaste highlights the acknowledgement of the other person’s inner divinity.
What are the social implications of namaste?
Namaste social implications. Source: Giphy
Making Namaste a part of daily life is not only a spiritual act but also a social bridge. When practiced regularly, it brings balance to thoughts, emotions, and behaviour qualities that naturally reflect in one’s personality and relationships. People often find such presence calm, respectful, and pleasant to be around.
In India, Namaste has been woven into culture for thousands of years as a gesture of respect, humility, and spiritual awareness. Its symbolism goes beyond words; the simple act of joining hands and bowing the head creates an immediate sense of harmony.
For Indian society, the gesture carries a deep cultural memory. Seeing someone greet with Namaste invokes familiarity, warmth, and acceptance. By adopting Namaste in everyday interactions, you align with a practice that makes social connections more welcoming and respectful.
Scientific significance
Namaste means union of opposite energies. Image: Canva
Although Namaste is best known today for its social and cultural meaning, its roots lie deep within yogic science. The gesture itself is a mudra specifically Anjali Mudra—which plays a vital role in both yoga practice and spiritual discipline.
In Anjali Mudra, the palms are pressed together with fingers pointing upward, placed close to the chest, throat, or forehead. When combined with the respectful bow and spoken word, this becomes the gesture of Namaste. Thus, simply folding the palms is not Namaste; it is Anjali Mudra, which becomes Namaste when used as a greeting.
From a physiological perspective, our palms are rich in nerve endings and pressure points, many of which are recognised in yoga, Ayurveda, and reflexology. Pressing the palms together stimulates these points, balances energy channels, and calms the nervous system.
Yogic science also explains Namaste as the union of opposites. The human body reflects dual energies; positive and negative, yin and yang, masculine and feminine, prāna and apāna, sattva and tamas. These polarities are said to flow through the left and right sides of the body. By joining the palms, we symbolically and energetically bring these two forces into harmony, creating balance within.
This act of unity offers several benefits, including:
- Improved focus and centred awareness
- Calming of the mind and reduction of stress
- Activation of subtle energy channels (nadis)
- A sense of inner alignment and wholeness
In this way, Namaste is not only a cultural greeting but also a scientifically rooted yogic practice designed to harmonise body, mind, and spirit.
Spiritual significance of namaste
In yogic and spiritual traditions, every form of creation is believed to emerge from a single universal source where all forces unite. A trace of these forces exists within every being as different energies. The essence of spirituality is to harmonise these energies and reconnect with that supreme source.
This source, however, cannot be perceived directly through ordinary senses. It is experienced through inner alignment when we balance and channel our internal energies into harmony, we begin to feel the presence of that universal truth.
The gesture of Namaste, performed with Anjali Mudra, is regarded as a powerful tool for this alignment. By joining the palms at the heart centre, we symbolically unite the dual forces within us and offer them to the higher source. This act cultivates humility, surrender, and a sense of oneness with creation.
Because of this, Namaste is not only a social greeting but also a spiritual practice. Yogic texts and traditions recommend it as a means of centring the self, invoking inner peace, and deepening the journey toward self-realisation.
When it is used in yoga?
Namaste in yoga. Source: Yoga Peace GIF By Adidas Giphy
Among yogis, Namaste is one of the most commonly used Sanskrit words, symbolising respect, gratitude, and unity. In yoga classes, it is typically used at both the beginning and the end of a session.
- At the beginning of class – When the instructor arrives, they often greet the students with Namaste before chanting the opening prayer or mantra. Students may also exchange Namaste with each other as a humble way of beginning their practice together.
- At the end of class – After Śavāsana (final relaxation), practitioners rub their palms gently and bring them together at the heart or forehead centre in Namaste. This closing gesture honours the energy cultivated during practice and acknowledges the teacher, fellow students, and the inner self.
In this way, Namaste bookends the yoga session inviting mindfulness at the start and sealing the practice with gratitude and harmony at the end.
In asanas practice
Namaste as Anjali Mudra is very often used in different asanas and meditation practices during a yoga session. You can practice the Namaste while in any sitting posture or standing in Tadasana, Vrikshasana...