Why 'Namaskar' and not a handshake?

Nowadays, it is common to greet each other with a handshake, especially in the West. It is considered a gesture indicating formality or even warmth. However, some Hindus greet each other by paying obeisance through the namaskar mudra. This article explains why namaskar is beneficial spiritually and how the handshake can be detrimental.

1. Some spiritual benefits of namaskaar

While visiting places of worship and viewing (taking darshan of) the Deities, or while meeting an elderly or respected person, Hindus' hands automatically join in obeisance (namaskaar). Namaskaar is a sattva predominant gesture befitting the rich heritage of the Hindu culture. Namaskaar is a simple and beautiful expression of divine qualities like devotion, love, respect and humility that endows one with Divine energy. Understanding the spiritual science (Adhyaatma shaastra) behind a religious act (Dhaarmik kruti) like namaskaar helps in further strengthening the faith in this religious act.

2. Why is it spiritually detrimental to shake hands?

Nowadays, perhaps due to ignorance about the science of Spirituality underlying Hindu Dharma, or due to the increasing influence of Western culture, people often shake hands to greet each other. In a handshake, the spiritually impure raja-tama components in one person can get transferred to the other person, thereby reducing the latter's spiritual purity (sattvikta). Also, if any of the two persons greeting each other is affected by distressing energies; their distress can affect the other person through the handshake. In comparison, every action and concept in the Hindu Dhaarmik way of life, such as greeting with a namaskaar, facilitates an increase in our spiritual purity.

Lately very few people realize the spiritual significance of namaskaar. If at all they do namaskaar by joining their palms, it is done just as a formality. As the act is not based on faith, the benefit derived from it is minimal. Hindu Dharma recommends that along with faith, every religious act be performed according to the science of Spirituality, so that it gives complete spiritual benefit.