Sashtang Namaskar is made of two words-
1.Sashtang
2.Namaskar.
First,let us understand,what is Sashtang-
sashtang = Sa + Asht + Ang
Sa = Sahit or Yukt or with
Asht= Eight or 8
Ang = Parts of the body
For all I say-
A Sanatani expresses reverence to God or great elders with a ritual called Pranamam. Other gestures include touching eight specifice body parts to the floor which is called Shastang Namaskar.
These eight parts of the body are- two toes, two knees, two palms, chest and the forehead.
The idea behind this type of obeisance is that the person doing it says, the body which touches the earth, will resolve itself into that earth ultimately, and the soul� in me will continue to be � alone.That idea must be known to oneself by enquiry. Without knowing it, there is no use in doing these.
A sashtanga namaskar is one of the many types of namaskar, where is which all the body parts or angas touch the ground. This type of namaskara is also commonly known as the “dandakara namaskaram” and “uddanda namaskara”. According to the theory, the word “danda” means “stick”. Therefore, the dandakara namaskaram is where the person doing the namaskara lies on the ground just like a fallen stick.
Sahstanga Namaskaar
This pose is done because a fallen stick resembles the thought of ‘helplessness’, which it is a way of sending a message to the Lord that you are as helpless as the fallen stick and in turn have take his refuge. This sashtanga namaskar is also a symbol of sharanagati in the Lord’s feet. Sashtanga namaskar is also related to a process where one’s ego is removed and in turn he develops a form of humility.When the head is brought down by others, it is a disgrace. If we bring it down ourselves, it is reward and an honour.
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.
Men and Women
Do women do the Sashtanga Namaskaram?
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According to the scriptures, the reason why women should not do the Sashtanga Namaskaram is because the womb and the breasts of women should not touch the ground.
Women do only the Panchanga Namaskaram and not the Sashtanga Namaskaram. The panchanga namaskaram is done when the woman kneels down with palms joined together or touching the feet of the revered one in front.
The breast is a part of the woman’s body which creates within itself the nourishment for the foetus and the womb holds the life of the foetus. Therefore, it should not come in contact with the ground.
आमतौर पर आज के समय में पैरों को हल्का सा स्पर्श कर आर्शीवाद लेते है। जो कि एक फॉरमेल्टी करते है। कई बार हम मंदिर जाकर बी खुकर माता के सामने माथा टेक लेते है। आपने कभी ये देखा है कि कई लोग मूर्ति के सामने लेट कर माथा टेकते है। जी हां इसी को साष्टांग दंडवत प्रणाम कहा जाता है।
शास्त्रों के अनुसार माना जाता है कि इस प्रणामें व्यक्ति का हर एक अंग जमीन को स्पर्श करता है। जो कि माना जाता है कि व्यक्ति अपना अहंकार छोड़ चुका है। इस आसन के जरिए आप ईश्वर को यह बताते हैं कि आप उसे मदद के लिए पुकार रहे हैं। यह आसन आपको ईश्वर की शरण में ले जाता है। लेकिन आपने यह कभी ध्यान दिया है कि महिलाएं इस प्रणाम को क्यों नहीं करती है। इस बारें में शास्त्र में बताया गया है। जानिए क्या?
शास्त्रों के अनुसार स्त्री का गर्भ और उसके वक्ष कभी जमीन से स्पर्श नहीं होने चाहिए। ऐसा इसलिए क्योंकि उसका गर्भ एक जीवन को सहेजकर रखता है और वक्ष उस जीवन को पोषण देते हैं। इसलिए यह प्रणाम को स्त्रियां नहीं कर सकती है। जो करती भी है उन्हें यह प्रणाम नहीं करना चाहिए।
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