namaskara

Namaskara is a term used in several Indian languages to mean a salutation or greeting. It derives from Sanskrit namaskāra, formed from namas meaning obeisance and kāra meaning act or form, and it denotes the act of offering respect.

The word also designates the namaskara mudra, a hand gesture in which the palms are pressed together at chest level with fingers pointing upward. In Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and other traditions, this gesture, often accompanied by a slight bow, serves as a common sign of respect, greeting, or devotion.

In everyday speech, namaskara is used as a polite greeting, akin to namaste or namaskar in various languages. Regional variants include Namaskara in Kannada, Namaskar in Hindi and Marathi, and Namaskaram in Telugu. The term thus spans both spoken language and ritual gesture across Indian cultures.

Culturally, namaskara functions in both social and religious contexts. It is used when greeting elders, teachers, and deities, and appears in temple rituals and devotional practices. In Indian classical dance and yoga, the namaskara mudra is often employed at the beginning and end of a performance or practice as a sign of respect to teachers, the audience, and the divine.