Anjali/Namaste/Namaskara Mudra

Anjali in Sanskrit is "benediction", "salutation" and " (joining palms together in) reverence". This is a "salutation seal" or a "greeting seal". This mudra is also known as the Hridayanjali Mudra, which means admiration to the heart seal from the soul.

The gesture of Namaskara is a hand gesture that is practiced throughout many countries in Asia and used as a sign of respect and greeting in countries like Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, etc. This gesture is used in many yoga asanas too.

Performing

This particular mudra, the hands of the subjects are generally held at the level of the stomach or the thighs, the right above the left, the palms upwards, fingers extended and thumbs touching at the tips. Commonly, the Namaskara or the Anjali Mudra is portrayed with both hands held at the heart chakra with the thumbs resting lightly against the sternum. This mudra can also be performed at the brow chakra with the tips of the thumb resting against the third eye. As the mudra is formed by the union of the two palms, it also signifies the co-existence of the two inseparable realms, which are actually one. These worlds are the Diamond realm or Vajradhatu and the Matrix realm or Garbhadhatu. These realms are the representation of the two facets of one spiritual life and portray the reciprocal action of the spiritual as well as the material actions.

The Namaskara Mudra is normally performed while uttering Namaste or Pranam. This particular gesture is used in India and Nepal for both greetings and farewells while carrying a deeper and more significance than a simple hello or goodbye in the Indian and Nepali cultures. The joining of the two palms can also be taken as the coming together of the right and left hemispheres of the brain (and the rest of the body) which also represents the unification - connecting the right and left sides of the self-consciousness - In yogic philosophy, the right and left sides of the self are opposites - The right side represents masculinity, logic, and strength - The right side represents the feminine, intuitive, and tender qualities.

The mudra is also taken as the symbolic representation of the connection with the divine in everything. Therefore, performing Namaskara or Anjali mudra can also be taken as a way to honour both the self and the other, as the gesture acknowledges the divinity of both the practitioner and the recipient.

Buddha statues are not seen making these hand mudras. It is an interesting note, the Buddhas do not need to show devotion to anything as they are the ones with the all-powerful energy of light and divine. Therefore, the Buddhas do not need to express and show the adoration.

A downside of modern life is that we’re so busy all the time. Our minds are cluttered and always thinking about the next thing on the to-do list. Of course, meditation helps slow down the mind, but sometimes it’s hard to calm the mind enough to meditate! That’s where Anjali mudra can help. If you need help grounding and focusing, try doing Anjali mudra the next time you meditate.

Integrating Namaskara mudra with meditation will allow you to focus and calm the chatter in your mind. Once the mind is quiet, you can look a little deeper. Placing your hands at your heart center opens up the heart chakra and the flow of energy throughout your body. This can have a positive effect on your emotional state. Even if you’re practicing or meditating alone, Anjali mudra can bring up feelings of love and thankfulness. The mudra can even bring a sense of harmony and calm to your body.