Translating “Namaskar”: Namaste / Namaskar

Meaning

  • “I do the act of saluting or bowing with respect”

Etymology

Below are two different interpretations.

1) NAMAH + KAR*

NAMAH = NA + MA
  • “Not mine” or “Not me”
  • The intention to negate or reduce one’s ego
  • Paying obeisance
KAR
  • “To do”

* Source: DifferenceBetween.net, Difference Between Namaskar and Namaste

2) NAMAH + OM+ KAR or NAM + AS + KAR*

OM + KAR
  • Manifestation of OM: the Universe / Cosmos, Brahma, Shiva
  • “The above interpretation of NAMASKAR as NAMAH + OMKAR has been questioned by some experts on the ground that the disappearance of the sound of O is inexplicable. Grammatically speaking, the objection seems tenable, even though the above interpretation is popularly accepted. In view of this objection, the following interpretation is proposed.”
NAM
  • Same meaning as NAMAH: NOT ME
AS + KAR
  • The creator of all that exists or the one who causes the property of being or existence

*Source:  Samarth Bharat, Namaskar

See Also