The act of getting the hands together in prayer is a
universal symbol. It is the most natural symbol of supplication. In India, the
symbol has a more intrinsic meaning and has the name ‘Namaskar’.
Namaskar literally means ‘to do Namah’. ‘Namah’
is the abbreviation of ‘Na mamah’ which simply means ‘not
mine’. This phrase was used originally in the ancient vedic ritual of
sacrifices to gods, during oblations. The implication is: What is offered is
not mine but god’s. Shedding the ‘I’ and ‘mine’, the devotee
surrenders everything to God his body, mind and spirit.
In course of time, this was symbolised by the joining
together of one’s palms, the ten fingers representing the five organs of
perception (Eyes etc.) and the five organs of action (Hands etc.) and perhaps
including the five life forces (Prana etc.) and the five sheaths of human
beings (food sheath, mental sheath etc).
A more explicit way of expressing one’s total surrender
to God or one’s Guru is to do ‘Ashtaanga Namaskar’ ie., fall flat
at the feet of the Guru or God such that eight parts (Ashta Anga) of one’s
body touch the ground. Women however prefer to kneel and bend down and touch
their foreheads on the divine feet (This is known as Shaashta Anga Namaskar
since only six limbs or parts of the body are touching the ground).
This act which is so meaningful in nowadays indulged in
more often mechanically than with a full understanding and sincere intention.
That is why Bhagawan Baba once chided a devotee who tried to have a second
"Pada Namaskar" on the same day saying, "if you do it
once properly and sincerely, that is enough". Often Bhagawan tells the
devotees when a whole lot of them seek to touch his feet, "Do the Namaskar
in the mind" .
An interesting incident comes to mind in this connection:
Years ago, Baba was visiting a devotee in his house. The devotee had informed
his friends and relatives in advance about the divine visit; so, many of them
had also come. Virtually all of them prostrated at the Avatar’s feet except
one who was totally dedicated to his Guru and was so sincere that he felt he
could not surrender to another Guru since he had already surrendered to his
own.
Yet he did not express his feelings. At last in deference
to his friend’s advice and to avoid being the odd man out, he prostrated at
Baba’s feet and told within himself that he was actually doing the Namaskar
to his own Guru only and not to Baba. The all-knowing Bhagawan patted on
his back and said, "Don’t worry! Your Namaskar has reached only
your own Guru!"
Namaskar