Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Pranāma

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Pranāma

Pranama (प्रणाम praṇāma) is a form of "respectful salutation" or "reverential bowing" before something, or another person - usually grandparents, parents, elders or teachers or someone deeply respected such as a deity. It is found in Indian culture.

Contents

Etymology

Pranama is derived from Pra (Sanskrit: प्र) and Anama (Sanskrit: आनम); pra as prefix means "forward, in front, before, very, or very much", while Anama means "bending or stretching". Combined pranama means "bending, bowing in front" or "bending much". In cultural terms, it means "respectful salutation" or "reverential bowing" before another, usually elders or teachers or someone deeply respected such as a deity.

Types of Pranāma

There are six types of Pranam:

  • Ashtanga (Sanskrit: अष्टाङ्ग, lit. eight parts) - touching the ground with knees, belly, chest, hands, elbows, chin, nose and temple.
  • Shastanga (Sanskrit: षष्ठाङ्ग, lit. six parts) - touching the ground with toes, knees, hands, chin, nose and temple.
  • Panchanga (Sanskrit: पञ्चाङ्ग, lit. five parts) - touching the ground with knees, chest, chin, temple and forehead.
  • Dandavat (Sanskrit: दण्डवत्, lit. stick) - bowing forehead down and touching the ground.
  • Namaskar (Sanskrit: नमस्कार, lit. adoration) - folded hands touching the forehead. This is another more common form of salutation and greeting expressed between people.
  • Abhinandana (Sanskrit: अभिनन्दन, lit. congratulations) - bending forward with folded hands touching the chest.

    • A form of pranama is Charanasparsha (Sanskrit: चरणस्पर्श, lit. touching the feet) a bowing combined with the touching of the feet, as a mark of respect. It may be seen in temples during darshan. This related type of pranama is most common in Indian culture. It is done in order to show respect towards elderly people like parents, grandparents, elderly relatives, teachers and saints.

    References

    Pranāma Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA