| To greet another person a friend
or acquaintance, to pay respect to an elder, a holy person or a temple deity or a Hindu
joins his or her hands with palms together, bows down in front of the other person, and
says Namaskar, Namaste, or Pranam - meaning Reverent Salutations. In Hindu view, Brahman dwells in the heart of each being as the individual
self. The joining of hands symbolizes the idea that in the meeting of two persons,
the Self actually meets Itself. Joining hands also symbolizes humility.
Thus when a Hindu joins his hands and says namaskar, he
actually says in humility, "I bow to God in you; I love you and I respect you, as
there is no one like you."
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