"Pranama": An Integral Part Of Vision...!!

"Pranama- Namaste" !! When I was in my childhood, first thing my parents taught me that whenever any guest come home or I visit anyone's home I must make Pranam or Namaste. This tradition is taught in almost every family in India. Even in schools we learn to make Pranam to our teachers. As a matter of fact in India; people greet their elders, saints, teachers with Pranam. It is a show of respect which is usually taken as an integral part of "Darshana"( Sanskrit term, meaning Sight or Vision). Pranama is one of the most effective and important traditions in Indian culture.
Different Forms Of Pranamas
There are basically six forms of Pranams. Let us mention all of them for your knowledge.
• Ashtangana: It is an act of touching the ground with knees, belly, chest, hands, elbows, chin, nose, temple.
• Shastanga: This act is something where you touch the ground with toes, knees, hands, chin, nose.
• Panchanga: The act where you touch the ground with knees, hands, chin, nose is called as Panchanga
. • Dandavata: Bowing forehead down and touching the ground is termed as Dandavata.
• Namaskar/ Namaste: This is an act of folding hands and touching the forehead.
• Abhinandan: bending forward with folded hands touching the chest is called as Abhinandan.
A Short Story On Pranama To Understand Its Real Sense:
A Sadhu( saint) visited a village and made a home out of the village under a banyan tree. He was a real Sadhaka( someone who practice a particular form of Sadhana or a way of life designed to realize the goal of one's ultimate ideal or diety). The villagers came to the Sadhu daily to pay respect and contribute pranamas and other offerings. Out of them, there was a person who used to visit Sadhu, listen to his words carefully, contribute whatever he could, but he never did pranam to the sadhu. This was the reason of Sadhu's dissatisfaction. Actually the other person was also a Sadhaka on his own advance way. he came to know that the Sadhu was unhappy and hurted by him; so hye brought a coconut along with him and kept it beside the Sadhu., then he called the gathering and infront of all he prostrated the coconut. Soon after this, the coconut broke into many tiny pieces. This confirms that the reason behind his not making pranam was not disrespect, rather it would be dangerous to the Sadhu. This is really an amazing story for you guys for sure. So, this story shows that one should not expect and accept Pranams in fornt of all persons- it is wrong and could be dangerous
Positive Facts On Namaste/ Namaskara:
As discussed earlier, Namaskar is a form of Pranama where we greet others by folding our hands and touching the forehead.
• It is a clean and divine act that ensures self protection and avoids contaginous diseases, energy loss due to frequent shaking of hands.
• Moreover, it also avoid contact with minds and hands that might have been imprinted with impure thoughts and acts.
• Another important significance of Namaskara; is that it generates oneness of Atma in both of us
Anjali Mudra/ Pranamasana:
Anjali Mudra9 Anjali is sanskrit term meaning salutaion or offerings and Mudra means Sign or Seal) So the phrase is thus " Salutation Sign". This gesture is also known as Hrudayanjali mudra meaning "Reverence to the heart seal" and Atmanjali Mudra meaning " Reverence to the self seal". Anjali Mudra has the same meaning as the Namaste and can be performed while saying Pranam or Namaskar. it is an act performed by pressing the palm opf the hands together. The fingers are together with finger tips pointing up. The hands are pressed together firmly and evenly.The physical benefit of this Mudra is that, it helps to lessen mental stress and anxiety.
Conclusion to Pranam:
So, now that we are aware of the meaning and importance of Pranama, there is no wrong in greeting a Pranama to the whole world and at first to our Motherland. It has really got a deeper meaning and satisfaction than a mere "Hello" or " Hi". Pranama..!!