''Pranāma'' (

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...

: प्रणाम; IAST: praṇāma; meaning: "obeisance, prostration or bowing forward") is a form of respectful or reverential salutation (or reverential bowing) before something or another person – usually one's elders, spouse or

teacher A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching. ''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. w ...

s – as well as anyone deeply respected such as a deity, found in Indian culture and

Hindu Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...

Buddhist Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...

, Jain and

Sikh Sikhs (singular Sikh: or ; , ) are an ethnoreligious group who adhere to Sikhism, a religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Guru Nanak. The term ''Si ...

traditions. The gesture, also known as the apology hand gesture, is also used as an apology in certain situations.

Etymology

''Pranama'' is derived from ''pra'' (Sanskrit: प्र) and ''ānama'' (Sanskrit: आनम); ''pra'' as prefix means "forward, in front, before, very, or very much", while ''ānama'' means "bending or stretching". Combined ''pranama'' means "bending, bowing in front" or "bending much" or "prostration". In cultural terms, it means "respectful salutation" or "reverential bowing" before another, usually elders or teachers or someone deeply respected such as a deity.

Types

It is found in Indian culture and Hindu traditions. There are following six types of Pranama:. * Ashtanga (

: अष्टाङ्ग, lit. ''eight parts''), also called "Ashtanga Dandavat": following eight parts of body touching the ground simultaneously, Uras (Chest), Shiras (Head), Drishti (Eyes), Manas (Attention), Vachana (Speech), Pada (Feet), Kara (Hand), Jahnu (Knee). *Shashthanga (

: षष्ठाङ्ग, lit. ''six parts''), also called "Shashthanga Dandavat": following six parts of body touching the ground simultaneously, toes, knees, hands, chin, nose and temple. *Panchanga (

: पञ्चाङ्ग, lit. ''five parts''), also called "Panchanga Dandavat": following five parts of body touching the ground simultaneously, knees, chest, chin, temple and forehead. *Dandavat (

: दण्डवत्, lit. ''stick''): following four parts of body touching the ground simultaneously, bowing forehead down to ground while being on knees with knees, feet, forehead & hands touching the ground. * Namaskara (

: नमस्कार, lit. ''adoration'') folded hands touching the forehead while standing or sitting. This is a more common form of salutation and greeting expressed between people. Also see Balinese Hinduism' sembah and Thai greeting based on the Indian Namaskara. *Abhinandana (

: अभिनन्दन, lit. ''congratulations'') – bending forward with folded hands touching the chest.

As an apology

It is a Hindu custom to apologize in the form of a hand gesture with the right hand when a person's foot accidentally touches a book or any written material (which are considered as a manifestation of the goddess of knowledge

Saraswati Saraswati (, ), also spelled as Sarasvati, is one of the principal Devi, goddesses in Hinduism, revered as the goddess of knowledge, education, learning, arts, speech, poetry, music, purification, language and culture. Together with the godde ...

), money (which is considered as a manifestation of the goddess of wealth Lakshmi) or another person's leg. The offending person first touches the object with the fingertips and then the forehead and/or chest.

Related forms of salutations

A form of ''pranama'' is Charanasparsha (

: चरणस्पर्श, lit. ''touching the feet'') a bowing combined with the touching of the feet, as a mark of respect. It may be seen in temples during darshan (viewing of the

deity A deity or god is a supernatural being considered to be sacred and worthy of worship due to having authority over some aspect of the universe and/or life. The ''Oxford Dictionary of English'' defines ''deity'' as a God (male deity), god or god ...

to pay obeisance). This related type of ''pranama'' is most common in Indian culture. It is done in order to show respect towards elderly people like parents, grandparents, elderly relatives,

guru Guru ( ; International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: ''guru'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian religions, Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: tr ...

(teachers), sadhu (saints) and sanyasis (monks).Why Do Indians Touch the Feet of Their Elders?
theculturetrip, 21 dec 2022.

Notes

External links