SaAshtaanga Namaskaara
SaAshtaanga Namaskaara ... Sa means with; Ashta means eight and Anga means limbs; Namaskara means prostration. Saashtaanga Namaskaara means, reverential prostration performed with eight limbs (Ashta-Anga) viz. two hands; two legs; two arms; chest and forehead touching the ground as a mark of respect, obeisance and total surrender to the deity. It is one of the best traditions of Sanatana Samskriti percolated down from elders that we follow in our day to day life while offering salutations to God; Yati; Parents; elders; Preceptor. It is also a type of yogaasana and forms a part of Surya Namaskaara. Women are barred from performing Saashtaanga namaskara; their chest, abdomen and waist should not touch the ground. In their case it will be a Panchaanga namaskara. Saashtaanga Namaskara should be performed with utmost humility and devotion and not as a routine drill. It is a mode of self realization; it rem...