obeisance (Namaskar) or salutation. From Science of Justice - 'Namaha' is a
physical action expressing that 'you are superior to me in all qualities
and in every way'..
*
** Worldly Benefits *- By doing Namaskar to a deity or a Saint, unknowingly
their virtues and capabilities are impressed upon our minds. Consequently
we start emulating them, thus changing ourselves for the better.
*
** Spiritual Benefits -* Increase in humility and reduction of ego /
Enhancement in the spiritual emotion of surrender and gratitude / Gaining
the Sattva component and faster spiritual progress. We receive the highest
amount of Sattva component from the posture (mudra) of Namaskar. By doing *
Namaskar* to Deities or Saints we receive subtle frequencies emitted by
them, e.g. frequencies of Sattva or Bliss.
*
** How does one do Namaskar to an individual of the same age group?
*When meeting someone of the same age-group do *Namaskar* by joining the
fingers and placing tips of the thumbs on the Anahat chakra (at the centre
of the chest). This type of Namaskarincreases the spiritual emotion of
humility in the embodied soul. Sattva frequencies from the universe are
attracted by the fingers (which act as an antenna) and are then transmitted
to the entire body through the thumbs which have awakened the Anahat
chakra. This activates the soul energy of the embodied soul. In addition,
by doing Namaskar in this manner to each other, frequencies of blessings
are also transmitted.
*
** What is correct method & science of doing Namaskar to God?
*
*
** A.* 'While paying obeisance to God, bring the palms together.
*1.* The fingers should be held loose (not straight and rigid) while
joining the hands or palms.
*2.* The fingers should be kept close to each other without leaving any
space between them.
*3.* The fingers should be kept away from the thumbs.
*4.* The inner portion of the palms should not touch each other and there
should be some space between them.
*
** Note:* The stage of awakening of spiritual emotion (Bhav) is important
to the seeker at the primary level. Hence, for awakening spiritual emotion
(Bhav), he should keep space in between the joined hands, whereas a seeker
who is at the advanced level should refrain from leaving such space in
between the palms to awaken the unexpressed spiritual emotion (Bhav).
*
** B.* After joining the hands one should bow and bring the head forward..
*
** C.* While tilting the headforward, one should place the thumbs at the
mid-brow region, i.e. at the point between the eyebrows and try to
concentrate on the feet of the Deity.
*
** D.* After that, instead of bringing the folded hands down immediately,
they should be placed on the mid-chest region for a minute in such way that
the wrists touch the chest; then only should the hands be brought down.
*
** Underlying Science in this action
*
*
** A.* The fingers should not be stiff while bringing the palms together
because this will lead to a decrease in Sattva component from the vital and
mental sheaths and thus increase the raja component in them. By keeping the
fingers relaxed, the subtlest Sattva component will get activated. With the
strength of this energy, embodied souls are able to fight powerful
distressing energies.
*
** B.* In the Namaskar posture, the joined fingers act as an antenna to
assimilate the Chaitanya (Divine consciousness) or the Energy transmitted
by a Deity. While joining the palms, the fingers must touch each other
because leaving space between the fingers will result in accumulation of
energy in that space. This energy will be immediately transmitted in
various directions; therefore the seeker's body will lose the benefit of
this potent energy.
*
** C.* About the space to be maintained between the palms:
For a seeker at the primary level, it is advisable to leave space between
the palms; it is not necessary for a seeker at an advanced level to leave
space between the palms.
*
** D.* After joining the palms, bow a little. This posture puts pressure on
the navel and activates the five vital energies situated there. Activation
of these vital energies in the body makes it sensitive to accepting sattvik
frequencies. This later awakens the 'Atma shakti' (i.e. soul energy of an
embodied soul). And later, Bhav is awakened. This enables the body to
accept in large measures the Chaitanya emitted by the Deity.
*
** E.* Touch the thumbs to the mid-brow region. (Please see images above..)
This posture awakens the Bhav of surrender in an embodied soul, and in
turn activates the appropriate subtle frequencies of Deities from the
Universe. They enter through the ’Adnya chakra’ (Sixth of the 7 chakras in
the Kundalini) of the embodied soul and settle in the space parallel to it
at the back interior of the head. In this space the openings to all the
three channels converge; namely, the Moon, the Central and the Sun
channels. Due to the movement of these subtler frequencies in this space,
the Central Channel is activated. Consequently it facilitates the speedy
transmission of these frequencies throughout the body, leading to
purification of both the gross and subtle bodies at the same time.
*
** F.* After doing Namaskar, to completely imbibe the Chaitanya of the
Deity (that has entered the hands by now), instead of bringing the folded
hands down immediately, place them on the mid-chest region in such a way
that the wrists touch the chest.
The 'Anahat chakra' is located at the centre of the chest. Akin to the
Adnya chakra, the activity of the Anahat chakra is also to absorb the
Sattva frequencies. By touching the wrists to the chest, the Anahat chakra
is activated and it helps in absorbing more of the Sattva component.
*
** Effect of this Posture
*By doing Namaskar in this manner, the Deity's Chaitanya is absorbed to a
greater extent by the body, as compared to other methods of doing Namaskar.
This gives maximum distress to negative energies. The negative energies
that have manifested in a person are unable to touch their thumbs at the
mid-brow region in Namaskar. (The negative energies are subtle. But at
times they enter an individual's body and manifest it. - Editor)'
*
** Q. What is the reason for not wrapping a cloth around the neck while
performing circumambulation, doing Namaskar, ritualistic worship,
sacrificial fires, chanting and while visiting Guru and deities?
*
A. When a cloth is wrapped around the neck, it does not activate the
Vishuddha chakra (in the throat region) and hence an individual gets less
benefit of the Sattva component.
*
** Why should one always do Namaskar to elders?
*
*
** Meaning:* When an elderly person arrives, the vital energy of the young
person starts rising and when he gets up and does Namaskar, it returns to
normal. - Manusmruti 2.120; Mahabharat, Udhyog, Chapter (Section) 38.1, Sr.
no. 104, 64-65
*
** Explanation:* 'As the sojourn of the elderly person is gradually towards
the southern direction, that is, towards the region of Lord Yama (towards
death), his body starts emitting raja and tama frequencies on a high scale.
When such an elderly person comes in the vicinity of any younger
individual, these frequencies start affecting the younger person. A subtle
magnetic field is created between the two. Consequently, the vital energy
of the younger person is pulled upward. This way the younger person can
suffer due to sudden momentum to his vital energy. When this younger person
doesNamaskar to the elderly person, some amount of the Central channel of
his Kundalini system is activated and the Sattva component in it starts
increasing. Consequently the raja and tama components in him are influenced
by the Sattva component and the vital energy comes back to normal state.
Hence on arrival of an elderly person, it is customary for the younger
individuals
to do Namaskar to them.'
Doing Namaskar to Elders..
*
** When travelling, prior to the commencement of a journey and upon
returning, why should one do Namaskar to elders in the family?
*'Namaskar to the elders in the family is one way of surrendering to the
God principle in them. When an embodied soul bows in Namaskar to an elder
by surrendering to the God principle in him, at that time a sense of
compassion is created in his body. This compassion percolates right upto
his subtle body. At that time, energy of his mind is activated and in turn
activates the five vital energies, which are located at the seat of the
Manipur chakra (situated in the Naval region). Transmission of these five
vital energies all over the body then awakens the soul energy. With the
strength of the soul energy, the Central channel gets activated and
converts the expressed energy of spiritual emotion to the unexpressed
energy of spiritual emotion. With the help of this unexpressed energy of
spiritual emotion, the embodied soul, through the medium of elders, gains
the required Deity's principle from the Universe. For this purpose, while
leaving the house on a
journey, the embodied soul should do Namaskar to elders and with the
strength of Sattva frequencies has to protect himself from distressing
frequencies in the atmosphere. Similarly, returning from a journey, one
should immediately do Namaskar to elders and awaken the God principle in
them, which would disintegrate the raja-tama particles from the air around
him, which might have been brought along.
*
** What is the correct method of doing Namaskar to Saints?
**1. The portion of head, which should be placed at the feet :
*We can imbibe maximum Chaitanya through the Brahmarandhra (the seventh
chakra of the Kundalini system located in the crown of our head). Since it
(Brahmarandhra) cannot be placed at a Saints's feet, the part of head
beginning above the forehead is to be placed at the feet of Saints. Due to
this, maximum Chaitanya emanating from Their feet can enter into the one
doing Namaskar.
*
** 2.. The exact spot to place one's head on a Saint's feet:
*The big toes of Saints emit maximum Chaitanya; hence we should place our
head on the big toe, than on their foot. If we are in a position to touch
both the toes, then place the head on the right big toe.
*
** 3. The position of hands when placing the head on a Saint's feet:
a.* Some interlock their hands behind their backs at the waist and do
Namaskar. If we are in a position to touch both their toes, then we should
place the hands one on each foot and the head should be placed on the big
toe of the right foot. If we are in a position to touch one of Their toes,
then place both the hands on it and keep the head on the big toe.
*
** b.* Some do Namaskar by placing hands on the ground. This is also wrong
because if the hands are placed on the ground then the Chaitanya emanating
from the Saint's feet are absorbed by one and then returns to the earth
through the hands of the one doing Namaskar. Thus the person does not
benefit from it.
*
** c.* Some cross their hands and place them on the feet of Saints, that
is, their right hand on the right foot of the Saint and their left hand on
the left foot of the Saint while doingNamaskar. This is a crude imitation
of the manner in which Christians place their crossed hands on their
chest.. Instead, our right hand should be placed on the left foot of the
Saint and our left hand on the right foot of the Saint. This is convenient
also. However, if a Guru has started some procedure in a particular sect,
then the hands are to be placed in that manner only.
d. The hands are to be positioned in such a way that the palms are placed
on the feet..
*
** How to do Namaskar to the wooden footwear (paduka) of Saints?
*
Namaskar to the wooden footwear (paduka) of Saints
'The left paduka symbolises Lord Shiva and the right symbolises Divine
Energy. The left paduka is the unmanifest saviour energy and the right is
the unmanifest destroyer energy of the Supreme God. The saviour or
destroyer energy of the Supreme God emanates from the 'pegs' of the paduka
as per the need. When we do Namaskar by placing our head on the 'pegs' of
the paduka, some may experience distress due to the inability to tolerate
the manifest energy emitting from it. Hence, while doing Namaskar to the
paduka, instead of the pegs, place the head on the foremost part i.e. the
place where the Saints place their toes.'
*
** Should one do Namaskar to a dead body?
**Q. If this be so, should we do Namaskar to the dead bodies in Kaliyuga
only as a custom? If it is a custom, can we discontinue it?
*
A. One can maintain respect for the dead person by doing Namaskar and in
addition set an ideal with regards to respecting elders. In Kaliyuga, from
this one will benefit at an emotional level and not at a spiritual level.
However, one should not discontinue this custom; instead one could learn
how to get spiritual benefit from it. Due to the deterioration of the
Sattva component in embodied souls, this practice has become a mere custom
in Kaliyuga.
However, as per the saying, 'God exists where there is spiritual emotion',
while doing Namaskar to a dead body if we have a spiritual emotion that we
are doing Namaskar to the God principle in it, then the God principle in
the dead body awakens and we receive God's blessings. This happens because
the God principle is immortal and has no limitations that a physical body
has.
*
** Q. It is said that one should not do Namaskar to a sleeping person. In
Kaliyuga if one does Namaskar by touching the dead body, then are the
chances of getting distress from negative energies not higher?
*
A. Yes it is; but while doing Namaskar it is important that the action be
performed with correct spiritual emotion. Since Namaskar is done to the God
principle in the dead body instead of activating raja, tama components, it
activates the Godly principle in the dead body and bestows Sattva
corresponding to the degree of spiritual emotion.'
*
** 'One hand' touch to the Temple Steps
**
** Action: Touch step with fingers of right hand & move same hand over
head.
Science:* 'The area around the temple is charged with frequencies of
Deities which leads to an increase in the Sattva component. The presence of
Divine consciousness in the area charges even the stairs in a temple.
'Climbing' steps is one of the activities, which increases the raja
component in the body. Hence, the raja component is already activated in
the body of an embodied soul so by touching the steps with the fingers of
the right hand, the Sattva component and peace from the charged premise,
get transmitted to the body through the right hand. In addition, from this
action, the activated raja component in the body can be controlled through
the medium of the surya nadi (Sun channel). This means that, for a moment,
the activities of the Sun channel can be stopped. From this process, the
embodied soul learns to enhance the Sattva component through raja dominant
actions. Therefore, it is very essential to perform the appropriate sattvik
actions at each corresponding level, hence the method of touching the steps
with fingers of the right hand and then moving the fingers or palm over the
head. Even the dust present on the steps is charged with Chaitanya and so
we must respect it and derive spiritual benefit from it.. If the embodied
soul harbours the spiritual emotion that 'the Chaitanya from the steps be
transmitted all over my body from the dust on my hand', then it will give
increasing benefit to the embodied soul. In addition if the ego of the
embodied soul is less at that time then it gives even more benefit. When
any action is performed devoid of ego or 'I'ness it is treated as a
'non-action' (akarma-karma).'
*
** Do's and Dont's while doing Namaskar
**
** Q. Why should the eyes be closed while doing Namaskar?
*'Joining hands while bowing the head amounts to saluting God or the
divinity in the person in front. The eyes are closed while doing Namaskar
to God or any respected person, to enable one to have the vision of God
within us.'
*
** Q. Why should the footwear be taken off while doing Namaskar?
*While sitting, partaking meals, sleeping, wishing and doing Namaskar to
Gurus and other elderly people, footwear should not be worn. - Gautamsmruti
9.
1. Footwear increases the raja-tama components in a person.
2. Paying obeisance (Namaskar) with high raja-tama components will not
help in activating the Kundalini (centre in the spiritual energy system).
3. The ability to absorb the sattva component too is reduced, due to an
increase in the raja-tama components, leading to little benefit from a
Namaskar.
4. Doing Namaskar to a Deity, with footwear on, may also invite the wrath
of the Deity.’
*
** Q. Why is it not advisable to hold any object while doing Namaskar?
*1. While doing Namaskar if an object is held in the hands, usually the
fingers and their tips are in a curled position and not straight. As a
result, the sattva component received is unable to enter the tips of the
fingers.
2.. The sattva component emitted towards the seeker, strikes the object
held and bounces back. Also, at times, instead of the person absorbing the
sattva component, the object may absorb it.
3. If the object in the hand is raja or tama predominant, and if it is
touched to the forehead or chest while doing Namaskar, then the raja-tama
components from it mayenter the body of the one who is doing Namaskar.
*
** Q. While doing Namaskar, why are men not supposed to cover their head,
whereas women are advised to cover their head?
*One should not do Namaskar with footwear on, covering the head or holding
any objects. (But women should cover their head with their saris and only
then do Namaskar) - Apastamb Dharmasutra 1.4.14.19
While doing Namaskar the Kundalini gets activated at the chakra which is
touched by the folded hands. This leads to the absorption of the Sattva
component in greater proportion in the body. Sometimes due to the
activation of the Kundalini, Sattva component starts entering the body
through the head. But at times the distressing energies try to take
advantage of this and mix black energy with the Sattva component. The
potential to activate the Kundalini is higher in men as compared to women.
Hence they are hardly affected by this negative energy. Contrary to this,
as women are more vulnerable, they get affected by distressing energies to
a greater extent and thus they can experience distress. That is why, when
doing Namaskar, women are advised to cover their head with the ends of
their sari. This creates a barrier between the head and the distressing
energies and prevents themfrom penetrating the body of the woman. However,
to some extent this also blocks
benevolent frequencies from entering the women. (Benevolent frequencies
are subtler than negative frequencies; hence they enter a woman to some
extent even though the sari covers her head.) However, the proper posture
of Namaskar gives maximum Sattva component to an individual and hence women
too get required benefits. This shows how God takes care of every devotee.
Doing Namaskar without these restrictions is equally effective if the
devotee does it with spiritual.........................
By : B L Kuchroo
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