In Hindu culture, Namaskar is the way of greeting each other by joining both the palms. The prime reason behind Namaskar is to show respect and humbleness to the person you are greeting. However, scientifically, joining the tips of fingers all together against each other; which denotes the acupressure points of eyes, ears and mind, is said to activate the pressure points which helps us remember that person for a long time. And, no transmission of germs as there is no physical contact.
Namaskar is the world’s oldest form of greeting, it is also mentioned in the oldest of 4 Vedas, Rigveda. Excavations of Indus Valley Civilization have revealed many male and female terracotta figures in Namaskar posture. These archaeological findings are dated to be between 3000 BCE to 2000 BCE.
Namaskar is also known as ‘Anjali mudra’ which is performed as part of a physical yoga practice with an aim to achieving several benefits. It is a “centring pose” which, according to practitioners, helps to alleviate mental stress and anxiety and is therefore used to assist the practitioner in achieving focus and coming into a meditative state. The physical execution of the pose helps to promote flexibility in centring wrists, fingers and arms.
We can see the impact and importance of Namaskar around us these days, the whole world is adapting our traditional way of greeting as a precaution from this pandemic, it is exultant for us.