Pranāma

A young man displays pranama to an elderly.

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.[1]

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".[2] 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

Folio from the Ramayana of Valmiki (The Freer Ramayana), Vol. 1, folio 50; recto: Ahalya falls at Rama's feet in gratitude for her liberation from Guatama's curse

There are six types of Pranam:[3]

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.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Pranama Himalayan Academy, pp. 481
  2. ↑ Apte Dictionary, See: pra, aanama
  3. 1 2 Chatterjee, Gautam (2001), Sacred Hindu Symbols, Google books, pp. 47–48.
  4. ↑ Bhatia, S., & Ram, A. (2009). Theorizing identity in transnational and diaspora cultures: A critical approach to acculturation. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 33(2), pp 140-149
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