Padnameskar?

Question

Namaste

When you bow to someone and prostrate yourself at someone's feet to perform padnameskar, what does it signify?

To whom do you bow this way?
On what occasions?

Thank you!
Peace & Love

Answer 1

Yes definetely this practice is commonly seen in India.

In early days this padanameskar is a ritual showing reverence to the holy people...

In some occasions people in India bow to Saints the so called Baba's..
But the real padanameskar significe the humility and reverence to GOD the Creator (Almighty).

This act is performed mostily while praying....

PRAY WITH DICERNMENT AND WITH THE SPIRIT OF CONVICTION IN PADANAMASKARAM TO "THE LORD OF HOSTS"

Answer 2

Real respect should come from the heart for all people not just for few.Very often people do this without respect.In their heart they can feel disrespect or anger or resentment.
God does not want us to touch His feet.He hasn't got any feet. He uplifts us so high, saying we are His children.Like all fathers He says we are higher than Him.
I have seen parents expect their children to bow down and touch the feet of elders but the children don't want to.
Even in the temples these young people have the feeling I the spiritual being was a Deity.I am worshipping my own memorial.
What we need is self respect and then we will respect others from the heart without obligation and with understanding.

Answer 3

I married an Indian woman. Hindus do it to show respect to a religious leader, an elder, or just to show respect in general. My brother in law washed my feet at our wedding. My wife says it's bad for a man to touch his wife's feet. Before I met my mother in law, my brother in law told me it would be a good gesture if I bent down to touch her feet, so I did. I think it's funny when my wife's family and her religious group get together. A lot of people bow down and try to touch each other's feet, and the other person will stop them, like they're saying, "You don't have to do that, I'm not worthy of so much respect.." So I'll see people repeatedly bowing down and starting to touch somebody else's feet and then getting up because the other person made them stop--it's kind of funny. to me but I guess it's a nice custom. American culture doesn't seem to show respect to anybody, least of all; older people.

Answer 4

All patriarchal society teach submission to the group head. Strict obedience is exacted among all male members to the head of the family, the clan etc. Padnamskar is the remnant of the old custom.

Answer 5

We prostrate elders to get their blessings,Indians believe in Padnameskar as it destroys ur ego atleast to some extent.We
also do this before god,saints,scholars.

Answer 6

Namaste has many translations but my favorites are, The light in me greets the light in you, The God in me Bows to the God in you.
To your teacher, to friends, to stangers, and as a greeting and farewell.
Namaste

Answer 7

well it is an Indian religious belief that male should do the padnmeskar while in temples to the god/goddess.also it is show his gratitude and his sincerity to the Deity.it is also done to show great respect and admiration to the learn-ed men,elders and to teachers.