To Namaste or not to Namaste in a Yoga class. Also, should one end a class by saying Namaste?
This question comes out of the woodworks every once in a while, so much so that that since the last 4 years I repost this piece once every year. So, here goes…
Well, the answer to the above questions is not a simple Yes or No, because Indian culture is very complex.
The word ‘Namaste’, pronounced ‘nuh+muh+stey’, originates in Sanskrit but is mainly used only in a few North Indian regions. Most of India does NOT say Namaste. (Note: India has 121 major & 1600 minor languages). Other regions use variants like Namaskaar, Namo Namaha, Namaskara, Namaskaram etc
Etymologically, Namaste is a complete sentence in itself, & not just a word. It means
“my respectful obeisance to you” Namaḥ = respectful obeisance & te = to you (singular)
Please note: Namaste is a verbal greeting extended at one person only, i.e., to you. It is not a plural. As opposed to Namaskar which could be both, singular and plural. So, usually, when one says Namaste, it is directed only to one person. But we need to look at Namaste beyond its unidimensional view of saying it.
‘Namaste’ is NOT just a word or action that is spoken, it’s a practice (kriya) comprising 3 parts
• the spoken word, i.e. namaste (expressed by mouth – vachika namaskar)
• the actual gesture like joining hands/bowing head/genuflecting/touching feet/prostrating, called kayika namaskar
• the intention of reverence, the manasika namaskar
The intention is the main part here, without which merely saying Namaste or doing a Namaskar to someone is mere tokenism. At times, one may not say Namaste but join hands reverentially in a Namaskar, and yet it would qualify as a reverential action.
Through ‘Namaste’ we convey the intention of honouring the other, human or non-human. In India, especially in temples & rituals, we do Namaskar to children, Elephants, Cows & Rats too, & NOT only elders. Namaste is an expression of respect for other’s atman (individual self) & through that, reverence for the paramatman (universal self). The practice of Namaste is a beautiful practice that reminds us to honor the formless Divine behind the physical form, though the term does NOT etymologically translate to “the divine in me salutes the divine in you” or “the light in me sees the light in you.”
Colloquially, sometimes the term Namaste is uttered informally (mainly) amongst Hindi speakers & could be equated to a Hello or a Bye. Many do it as a traditional, or as a socio-cultural norm. Yet, I would say that saying Namaste to someone (& doing a Namaskar) still carries its original intent because of the undertones of honoring, adoring, praising, veneration & reverence. Here, informal doesn’t become casual due to the understanding the spirit behind saying Namaste and doing Namaskar.
In my mother language (Marathi) we say ‘Namaskar’ instead of Namaste, while correspondingly doing a Namaskar gesture when we meet someone, say bye, start a letter, sign off a note etc. The aim is always to convey the intention of reverence.
Now for the extended question – ‘should one say namaste at the end of the yoga class?’
Well, I am no one to tell someone what to do in their class. But, here is some scriptural evidence for Namaste mentioned in the middle and the end of the text.
Namaste at the end
In many Indian languages the spirit of ‘Namaste’ is conveyed also at the end. Yes, one can sign-off endeavors with a ‘Namaste’.
In Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4:2:4 (1000 BC) King Janaka thanks his teacher Yajnyavalkya with a ‘Namaste’ at the end of their dialogue (in the middle of the chapter) to express his gratitude for giving him the knowledge of immortality – namaste’stu ime videhāḥ, ayamahamasm…., which means ‘Salutations to you! Here is this (empire of) Videha, as well as myself at your service!
Namaste in the middle
In some mantras, stotras & stutis (praises of deities) the term Namaste comes in the middle, and that is okay too. Like this one, “tvam devah prahuh sahasravadanam te namaste”or “om namaste visvadevesa visvabhuh visvatmaka” in Brahmakrta Vamanastutih in Vamana Purana
In the same Purana one finds another stuti of Goddess Gauri by the demon Andhaka, it says “andhaka uvaca, om namasye bhavanim bhutabhavyapriyam….”
In Rig Veda too, Namaste is mentioned in the middle of a chapter as salutation to Lord Agni. “namas te agna…..” Rig Veda 8.75.10
Adi Shankaracharya’s Vivekachudamani’s 486th verse, out of 580 verses (that means towards the end) mentions “namo namaste gurave mahātmane..”, Repeated salutations to thee, O noble Teacher…
I am neither stating that one has to or not to say Namaste in a Yoga class. It is one’s own decision. Neither does saying it make one ‘yogic’ nor vice versa. I myself start my talks many times with a simple ‘Hello friends.’
My intention to clarify on this topic is specific – looking at the rising intolerance, trolling & cancel-culture in our society I think we all need some deep reverence for each other and some TLC through a heartfelt, sincere expression of the Namaste spirit (or its variants)
Imagine if we all sincerely meant “I offer my respectful obeisance to you” & consciously reminded ourselves of the divinity behind everyone we encounter, how peaceful our world would be?
What do you think?
Note: Some students and teachers express discomfort about the mis-use of Namaste in various instances, & I acknowledge that the term is misused many times. I may write about that some other day.
