Namaste: What does it really mean? Quotes, art, and how-to

A story of Namaste in action

Last Summer, I was in Rishikesh, India, sitting on a ledge under a huge Bodhi tree waiting for my friend in the post office.  I watched as ash-covered sadhus passed by in front of the tree-shaded temple across the way.  A rainbow of jewel-toned saris and kurta flashed between men's khaki pants as a river of people flowed past.  Children's kohl-lined eyes were fixed on my alien appearance, with mom's bangle-bedecked hand holding onto their little ones, dragging them along through the mesmerizing crowd. [Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click through and buy something, I will receive a small commission]

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Sprinkled into all this, was the occasional cow.  They're the hump-backed ones with low horns, big eyes, and sweet curled eyelashes.  They are respected and revered in India, yet here in the city, they dine mostly on discarded food left in the gutter and sometimes chapatti out of someone's outstretched hand.As I watched this scene, I saw a young boy timidly approach a cow standing beside the mud wall of the temple.  You never really know when one of these cows might lunge, horns first to defend itself (cars and people come quite close!).  Yet this boy had something different in mind.  He reached out his hand and gently petted the cows' back. Lightly at first, then with longer, more confident strokes.  As he turned to leave, he pulled his hands together into anjali mudra (prayer) and bowed his head to the cow, saying, "namaste" before he turned and rejoined the flowing crowd.I absolutely melted.  What a beautiful moment to witness!  While the word "namaste" has always held great importance to me, just by its very definition, this scene really cemented in its softness, sweetness, and power for me.

Namaste meaning

Namaste Art Print makes a great yoga gift or yoga wall art

Loosely, this phrase means the light in me salutes the light in you.  It can be used as a greeting, a farewell, a signifier of respect, love and thanks, or a closing to a yoga class, of course.In Sanskrit,nama means bow, salute, honoras means Ite means younamaste is related to the word, namaskaara-- as in surya namaskaara (sun salutation) nama means salutation, kaara means the action of doing, and surya means sun*

The light in me (or divine in me or my soul) honors the light in you (or divine in you or your soul).

The diving in me honors the divine in you.  The place where the divine, the love, the light, the beauty, the bliss, the truth, the peace, the universe resides in you, is also in me.  When you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, we are connected; we are one; as the universe is one.

Namaste position

Thank you! Namaste

Usually, you say namaste with your hands together in anjali mudra (prayer position, with the fingers lightly touching).  Your hands are typically over your heart chakra-- the center of your chest-- with your thumbs grazing your sternum.  Bow your head as you say namaste.  As you say namaste, close your eyes to focus your energy and love at your heart center and on honoring the being you are saying namaste to.  Alternatively, to show deeper respect, you can also place your hands over your third eye (on your forehead), then pause over your mouth before placing your hands in front of your heart chakra (the home of divine love).  You can bow your full body afterward if you like in a yoga class.

Namaste

Namaste! Learn the meaning of namaste and how to, get some free namaste art with a namaste quote! #namaste