Namaskaram means complete surrender to the Lord. The mind of the Jiva
(individual) generally "stands erect" like the stick. It is because
of the hold of ego (Ahambava). If it is released from the hold of
ego, it becomes humble. In such humble state, it experiences the
highest pleasure (sukha). Lowering the body in performing namaskaram
symbolises the release of the hold of ego from the mind.

Our body is just like a stick which is discarded and the energy or
power to use it is given by God. So we must accept, that God is the
power behind our gross body and not feel proud that it is our own
capacity. So the ego must be set aside and the body offered in
prostration to God.

Getting rid of the ego is the main objective. It is not easy for us
to do it. So atleast when we prostrate before God, we must offer
ourselves to Him completely. God helps us by taking responsibility
for us.

When a man lowers his body and prostrates before another person whom
he considers a saint, he also "pushes" a load off his mind as it
were, in the belief that the other person will take care of that.
Hence we do namaskarams to saints or Mahatmas. Namaha is sometimes
itself interpreted as the meaning of "Na Mama" (not mine") – that is
pushing away something as "not mine". A true namaskaram will always
be in this attitude only.

The greetings or namaskarams are more elaborate when one shows
respect to older siblings, parents, elders, mahatmas and monks. There
are different kinds of "namaskarams" or "Pranams" which
include "sashtanga" (with eight limbs), "Panchanga" (with 5 limbs)
and "Abhivadana".

The "Sashatanga" is where one lies down flat on the stomach with
eight limbs touching the ground. The eight limbs are chest, head,
hands, feet, knees, body, mind, and speech. This namaskaram is
generally done by men.

"Abhivadana" is generally used to introduce oneself to elders, Guru
and monks. In this form, one with the head bowed and the hands
crossed, touches the feet and then takes the hands back to touch the
left ear lobes with left hand and the right ear lobe with right hand.
During this greeting, one introduces himself by saying the name,
family lineage, tradition, gotram and the branch of veda he belongs
and follows with a sashtanga namaskaram.

Traditionally, women do only "panchanga" namaskaram and not the other
two.

A "panchanga" namaskaram is where one, generally, a woman kneels down
with palms joined together or touching the feet of the revered one in
front. A woman does not do sashtanga namaskaram for the following
reason. There is an injunction in the scriptures that the womb and
the breasts of women should not touch the ground. They ruled that the
part of the body which sustains the growth of the foetus during
pregnancy and the part that creates within itself the nourishment for
the new born and feeds it, should not be allowed to come in contact
with the ground.

In order that this kriya is done with single pointed attention, and
one does not look to this side and the other, the namaskaram is
always done with face to the ground. The indriyas (sense organs) face
towards the outer world when we lie flat. But when we prostrate on
the ground with face to the ground, they are also turned away from
the outer world.

Great heights are not necessary. Humility is what is warranted. If
our minds are in this mode, the Grace of the Almighty (kripa varsha)
will flow freely and fill us. It is, just like, water does not remain
at altitudes, but flows to level ground and fills it. As a symbol of
this mental move, the body is lowered and one prostrates to the
ground, head to foot.

Thus the act of namaskaram symbolises the humility and respect and
melting of ego. Any action done with the right thought and feeling
behind it, in turn, enhances and enriches that experience. Thus, the
sashtanga and panchanga namaskarams are a great aid for nurturing and
heightening the "tallest" inner quality of utter humility – that is,
the "vinaya sampath". The great legacy of namaskara – kriya to which
our tradition has bequeathed to us should not be allowed to decline
and disappear.

With humility, and for the sake of humility, this kriya must be
performed. This is very important. If the inner feeling basic to it
is absent, namaskaram is nothing more than a mere exercise for the
body.