Coronavirus pandemic, has made many people realise that unnecessary physical contact will have adverse consequences. People have begun to greet one another with the world famous 'Namaste' or 'Sat Sri Akal'.
The wise have learnt that in addition to physical, there are also psychological and spiritual consequences of unnecessary physical contact.
People across the world, have reduced the shaking of hands, embracing and kissing when they meet, choosing instead to using the greeting, Namaste or Sat Sri Akal, etc.
What is the meaning of Namaste or Sat Sri Akal and the bowing with the folding of hands?
Based on Sanatana Dharma (eternal order), most Indians believe that every soul is part of that one divine soul. Also known as 'Prana' the all pervasive life force and energy that is omnipresent.
'Namaste' or Sat Sri Akal, simply means my soul recognises yours and therefore honours divinity. Those who greet in this manner acknowledge the divinity in everyone and all things.
This greeting by the Sikhs, Buddhists and Hindus when they meet another soul is performed with bowed head, palms touching, fingers pointing upwards and the thumbs near the chest, to convey that with my entire being, that is my soul, mind and body, I humbly acknowledge the divine in you.
The Buddhists often do not utter anything.
The Hindu will usually say 'Namaste', In Sanskrit 'Namaḥa' means 'respect', 'humble greeting’ or 'high regard' whereas 'te' means 'to you'.
The greeting of the Sikh's 'Sat Sri Akal' reminds themselves and the other that we are all part of that One divine existence, and timeless, present in every being.
Namaskar and Namaskaram, Sat Kartar are alternate choice of greeting words.
'Sikh' means the 'student or seeker'. A seeker is not bound by ideology or rituals. The Sikh greeting of Sat Sri Akal differs from the traditional Namaste, to reestablish the fact that the path of the Sikh is to awaken and realise the Divine.
Sat Sri Akal.
Everything is One. How we treat one person is, how we treat the whole universe. When we respect the individual, we respect not only ourselves, but we respect all of Creation.
