WHY DO WE PROSTRATE BEFORE ELDERS?

Indians prostrate before their parents, elders, teachers and noble souls by touching their feet. The elder in turn blesses us by placing his or her hand on or over our heads. Prostration is done daily, when we meet elders and particularly on important occasions like the beginning of a new task, birthdays, festivals etc. In certain traditional circles, prostration is accompanied by abhivaadana, which serves to introduce one-self, announce one’s family and social stature.

Man stands on his feet. Touching the feet in prostration is a sign of respect for the age, maturity, nobility and divinity that our elders personify. It symbolizes our recognition of their selfless love for us and the sacrifices they have done for our welfare. It is a way of humbly acknowledging the greatness of another. This tradition reflects the strong family ties, which has been one of India’s enduring strengths.

The good wishes and blessings of elders are highly valued in India. We prostrate to seek them and the good wishes and blessings of elders, flow in the form of positive energy to envelop us. 

The different forms of showing respect are :

1. Pratuthana:   Rising to welcome a person.

2. Namaskaara:   Paying homage in the form of namaste

3. Upasangrahan:  Touching the feet of elders or teachers.

4. Shaashtaanga
The person who performs it lies prostrate, his face on the ground and his arms extended beyond his head. 'Sashtanga' is touching six limbs of the body on the ground and doing namaste.  That is the feet, the knees, the stomach, the chest, the forehead and the arms must touch the earth.  It is thus prostrations are made before persons of high degree, King, parents etc  Even the King will prostrate before the Army during war and saints for taking blessings.
5, Pratyabivaadana:  Returning a greeting.

Rules are prescribed in our scriptures as to who should prostrate to whom.   This we will see in the next posting.