"Salutation", a form of respectful greeting, made to elders, parents, gurus and friends.
Culturally, abhivadana is a very important part of one`s life. It is not only an expression of greeting, respect and friendship, but also indicates one`s social status and upbringing. Unless one demonstrates the correct form of respect, one is considered ill-mannered, rude and arrogant. A well-bred person is expected to show respect to his elders, parents and especially to his guru.
Abhivadana is performed differently by different castes . A Brahmin joins his palms before him at the level of his ears; a Kshatriya joins his hands before him at the level of his cheeks; a Vaishya joins his hands at the level of his waist; and a Shudra, at the level of his feet.
Abhivadana is not performed by a person of a higher caste to one of a lower caste. It is also not performed for one who does not know how to return the salutation.
Abhivadana should be performed with a pure mind and body. It is performed on three kinds of occasions: every day, called nitya abhivadana; on certain specific occasions, called naimitika abhivadana; and if one wants a particular reward, called kamya abhivadana.
Nitya abhivadana is performed by a student to his guru or elders. It is believed that if a person salutes and shows reverence to his elders, his knowledge, fame, strength, and life-span will increase. Naimitika abhivadana is performed to one`s guru or parents after returning from a journey. Kamya abhivadana is performed when a person desires something. It is believed that in return for one`s respectful behaviour, one`s desire will be granted. It is also performed to one`s guru or parents.
When greeting a woman, a guru`s wife is given the same respect as the guru and saluted with a similar greeting. For other women, like maternal and paternal aunts, uncles` wives, and elder sisters, abhivadana is usually performed by bowing to touch their
feet with one`s hands.
From the detailed codification of abhivadana, it is evident that this concept is very old and well-developed. The Dharmasutras provide details about the various forms of greetings. According to the Apastamba Dharmasutra, there are five forms:
Pratyuthana: Literally "rising from one`s seat to welcome a visitor; respectful salutation". This is how one shows respect to a guest, or any elderly person. It precedes all other forms of greeting and is performed irrespective of the caste of the performer or receiver.
Upasangrahan: Literally "respectful salutation by embracing the feet". This form of abhivadana is for a guru or any other respected person. Amongst Hindus, the relationship between a student and his guru is very sacred. The guru is the most important entity in a student"s life and is greeted even before the gods. This is because the guru prepares a student for life by teaching him everything he will need to know to live in society. Upasangrahan is performed on specific occasions to one`s guru, parents, or other important relations. It consists of repeating one`s gotra and name, and saying "I salute", while touching one"s ears, then bending low to clasp the feet of the person.
Namaskara: Literally "adoration, homage". This form of abhivadana involves joining one`s palms and bowing slightly from the waist. This greeting was initially used only for images of gods, Brahmins, and ascetics, but today, along with its variation "Namaste" or "Pranam", it is the common greeting of all Hindus. "Namaste" literally means "Na aham aste" (I am not here). This is the complete refutal of one`s ego when greeting a fellow-being.
Shashtanga: Literally "six limbs or parts". This is the most reverential and solemn form of greeting. Whoever performs Shashtanga pranam (also called Dandavat namaskara)
lies flat on the ground on his stomach, with his arms extended beyond his head, and then clasps the feet of the person being greeted. It is called Shashtanga because six parts of the body touch the ground: the feet, knees, stomach, chest, forehead, and arms.
Pratyabhivadana: Returning a salutation is an integral part of greeting. It was said that a person who did not know how to return a greeting should not be saluted, no matter how learned he may be. The Dharmasutras give detailed descriptions on how to acknowledge a greeting. The usual reply was Ayushman Bhava, meaning "May you have a long life". This varied in grammar (and therefore in degrees of condescension) according to the caste and sex of the person being acknowledged.
Abhivadana is still considered very important. A respectful greeting is still seen as a sign of civility and good manners. All the forms of abhivadana are performed even today, though not as strictly as earlier. Today, Namaskara is the most commonly used form of greeting. It is used by all, irrespective of caste, age and sex. Pratyuthana is still widely observed. Upasangrahan is also prevalent, though the name and gotra are no longer uttered. It is now usually referred to as Pranam and commonly used to greet gurus and family elders. Shashtanga is not very widely performed. More popular in south India, it is reserved for special occasions for one`s guru, father, or for Brahmins, or when asking for forgiveness. The correct way of returning a greeting also remains important. It is considered extremely rude if one does not return a greeting appropriately.