Post by sarmasastrigal on Oct 18, 2012 19:56:38 GMT 5.5
Namaskara (Obeisance by prostration)
(The Q&A is taken from the book THE GREAT HINDU TRADITION wherein one can find such FAQs in hundrds on our anushtanams and culture).
Qn. In doing namaskara to elders are there any procedural requirements?
Ans. Yes! Obeisance is not to be done to a person who is sleeping, or performing a japa, or wearing a wet cloth.
ABHIVADANA:
‘Abhivadana’ is not to be said to ladies, but the mother is an exception. Obeisance to a sanyasi and in a general congregation is also to be done without abhivadana.
TEMPLES:
In the precincts of a temple, obeisance to human beings is to be avoided.
SASHTANGA & PANCHANGA NAMASKARAMS:
Obeisance by males to God has to be a ‘Sashtanga namaskara’.
The scriptures say “Dandavath Pranameth†– meaning he should
prostrate like a stick without support, flat on the stomach, indicating to God that this body is not mine, this is given by You and I surrender it to You now.
For women obeisance should be a ‘panchaanga namaskara’.
Above all, obeisance should be done with no thought about yourself, about whether the posture looks nice, or how others watching you are impressed. There should be no shyness, no hesitance. And no showing off.
(The Q&A is taken from the book THE GREAT HINDU TRADITION wherein one can find such FAQs in hundrds on our anushtanams and culture).
Qn. In doing namaskara to elders are there any procedural requirements?
Ans. Yes! Obeisance is not to be done to a person who is sleeping, or performing a japa, or wearing a wet cloth.
ABHIVADANA:
‘Abhivadana’ is not to be said to ladies, but the mother is an exception. Obeisance to a sanyasi and in a general congregation is also to be done without abhivadana.
TEMPLES:
In the precincts of a temple, obeisance to human beings is to be avoided.
SASHTANGA & PANCHANGA NAMASKARAMS:
Obeisance by males to God has to be a ‘Sashtanga namaskara’.
The scriptures say “Dandavath Pranameth†– meaning he should
prostrate like a stick without support, flat on the stomach, indicating to God that this body is not mine, this is given by You and I surrender it to You now.
For women obeisance should be a ‘panchaanga namaskara’.
Above all, obeisance should be done with no thought about yourself, about whether the posture looks nice, or how others watching you are impressed. There should be no shyness, no hesitance. And no showing off.
