Translating “Namaste”: Namaste / Namaskar

Meanings

“I bow to you”
“I salute or bow to you with respect”
“My greetings, salutations or prostration to you”
“I honor the Divinity (Light, God, Life Force, Self) in you”

Etymology: NAMASTE = NAMAH + TE

NAMAH = NA + MA

“Not mine” or “Not me”
The intention to negate or reduce one’s ego in the presence of another
Paying obeisance

“To you”
“They. The literal meaning of Namaste hence is “Not me, they.” The word “they” refers to all the Gods. Namaste is hence a philosophical statement affirming that the doer of everything is not me but the Gods.” (Samarth Bharat, Namaskar)

I See and Honor The Divine in You

Some people claim that the literal meaning of “Namaste” is something like “I honor the place in you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place in you which is of love, of truth, of light, and of peace. When you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, we are one.” The actual literal meaning is nowhere near as lengthy, intricate, and dramatic but is no less beautiful. The actual literal meaning of this Sanskrit word is “I bow to you” or “My prostrations and salutations to you.” While that is its literal meaning, its implied spiritual meaning is “I reverence God as you” or “I see and honor God in you.” – Bliss of Hinduism