Sashtanga Namaskara
P.Natarajan.
Prostration:-
We prostrate before parents, guru and elders to show our respects. The act of prostration is to throw oneself forward on the ground or lying or bent with face on the ground. We prostrate in full length before the deities seeking grace and also to atone for the sins committed or good acts omitted.
Prostration is an act that has to be done in an exceptional or singular manner. One can not see side wards or back or in short dither his attention anywhere else except to bend his head towards the ground and fall on his knees and then flat on the ground. When a person is pushed to shame, he bends his head timidly but when he lowers his head on his own will to convey reverence to others, his self esteem shines or gets lifted, in the presence of the august gathering.
Deeds that attracts attention of others are carried out outwardly or in an open fashion. In other words, when a person lies flat face open to sky, he, no doubt , is seen by the people around. Prostration , whereas, necessarily deviates the mind from the mundane and worldly matters, when the head is lowered in conveying Namaskar. The doer is silent and does not attract any outsider’s attention. Neither it is his intention.
To show one’s back may be deemed as cowardliness but the question of honor arises only when the egoistic ‘I’ raise its head. Subjects like ‘I’, honor or dishonor, shame or respect, compassion or intolerance are unavoidable during the span of one’s life. A person can be a king like or king once he liberates himself overcoming all these qualities or gunas.. Here the expression ‘king’ is to be understood as one who had mastered himself to an exalted position as ‘Jeevan Muktha’. There is no need of prostration in that elevated state.
Whereas as we conduct or carry on life with the ‘gunas’ like ‘ahankara, bala, darpa, kama. kroda and avarice, अहङ्कारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं लोभं we pretend to show ourselves in an unrealistic manner or untrue to oneself.
We discard the weight of ‘I’ in the presence of learned people, ‘mahan's’, acharyas’ or before the deities of worship. We throw ourselves forward on the ground or lye with face bent which is known as ‘ Sashtanga Namaskara’ - meaning all the eight limbs of the physical body touching the ground. We realize we are not ‘masters’ or understand clearly that we are subordinates only or second to some one else. We may fall at their feet but we gain self esteem while doing so. We forget ourselves and show our obeisance to the other person for all reasons known or unknown. This is the first step towards victory of oneself. This exercise needs to be adhered to at all times to help to gain self esteem and also to bring credit to oneself. It might also make others wonder ‘ what we are upto ' !
Prostration or Namaskara is one of the known forms of ‘ shodashopachara ‘ - 16 steps of worshiping the deity. Surya Namaskar - salutation to the Sun or Surya the solar deity of Hindus is an asana practised for keeping one ' fit as a fiddle '.!
नक्षत्रग्रहताराणामधिपो विश्वभावनः। तेजसामपि तेजस्वी द्वादशात्मन् नमोऽस्तु ते॥ १५॥
A person regularly performing surya namaskar can achieve sadhana which incorporates asana, pranayama, mantra and chakra meditation. A popular subhashithani quotes ;- “NAMASKARA PARIYO BHANU:“ नमस्कार प्रियो भानु: ( अलङ्कार प्रियो विष्णु: जलधारप्रियो शिव:) meaning Surya god likes devotees prostrating number of times. KRISHNA likes to be decorated in fine and ornamental dress, Lord Shiva likes to be bathed ( Abhisheka) !
If someone prostrates before us, we feel a sense of elation.When we prostrate before learned and devout elders, we get blessed. Sashtanga namaskara is a form of surrender to the Almighty when we seek pardon and pray for his blessings to lead a healthy life.
pn
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