Pranāma


Pranāma is a form of respectful or reverential salutation before something or another person – usually one's elders, spouse or teachers – as well as anyone deeply respected such as a deity, found in Indian culture and Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh traditions.
The gesture, also known as the apology hand gesture, is also used as an apology in certain situations.

Etymology

Pranama is derived from pra and ānama ; pra as prefix means "forward, in front, before, very, or very much", while ānama means "bending or stretching". Combined pranama means "bending, bowing in front" or "bending much" or "prostration". 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

It is found in Indian culture and Hindu traditions. There are following six types of Pranama:
  • Ashtanga, also called "Ashtanga Dandavat": following eight parts of body touching the ground simultaneously, Uras, Shiras, Drishti, Manas, Vachana, Pada, Kara, Jahnu.
  • Shashthanga, also called "Shashthanga Dandavat": following six parts of body touching the ground simultaneously, toes, knees, hands, chin, nose and temple.
  • Panchanga, also called "Panchanga Dandavat": following five parts of body touching the ground simultaneously, knees, chest, chin, temple and forehead.
  • Dandavat : following four parts of body touching the ground simultaneously, bowing forehead down to ground while being on knees with knees, feet, forehead & hands touching the ground.
  • Namaskara folded hands touching the forehead while standing or sitting. This is a more common form of salutation and greeting expressed between people. Also see Balinese Hinduism' sembah and Thai greeting based on the Indian Namaskara.
  • Abhinandana – bending forward with folded hands touching the chest.

    As an apology

It is a Hindu custom to apologize in the form of a hand gesture with the right hand when a person's foot accidentally touches a book or any written material, money or another person's leg. The offending person first touches the object with the fingertips and then the forehead and/or chest.

Related forms of salutations

A form of pranama is Charanasparsha 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, guru, sadhu and sanyasis.