In all Indian Classical Dance forms, the dancer begins the practice with a form of 'Namaskaram' or salutations to the Divine, Guru, and the audience.
Every 'Namaskaram' can be stylistically different for each of the classical dance forms. However, the concept is the same in that the dancer prays to the three main components- God, Guru and the audience. The dancer also prays to Mother Earth, asking for forgiveness for stamping on her while dancing. In the Natyashastra, BharataMuni has defined how the dancer should offer their prayers in the following:
“Devathaanaam Sirahsthasthu Gurunaam Aasya Samsthithahah Vakshasthaschaiva Vipraanaam Seshethva Niyamobhaveth"
Breaking it down
“Devathaanaam Sirahsthasthu"
Symbolically, we assume that Gods are above us in Heaven. By raising our hands with the palms touching in 'Anjali Hasta', we offer our prayers to God.
"Gurunaam Aasya Samsthithahah"
In Hindu culture, it is believed that our locus of knowledge is centered where the brain and eyes meet. For this reason, prayers offered to the Guru with 'Anjali Hasta' placed in front of the forehead, indicating the appreciation we have for their efforts and knowledge they have bestowed upon us.
"Vakshasthaschaiva Vipraanaam"
We pay respects to elders and knowledgable people by placing our hands in 'Anjali Hasta' in front of our chest.
"Seshethva Niyamobhaveth"
There is no rule on how to offer prayers to our audience and remaining spectators. However, they must be acknowledged. Placing our hands in 'Anjali Hasta' in any location above the waist is acceptable.
“Samudravasane Devi Parvasthanamandale Vishnupathni Namasthubhyam Paadagathakshamaswame”
Breaking it down
"Samudravasane Devi Parvasthanamandale"
We offer our salutations to Mother Earth, the one who has oceans as garments and mountains as her chest
"Vishnupathni Namasthubhyam Paadagathakshamaswame"
She is the consort of Lord Vishnu and we request her blessings and apologize for stepping on her with our feet.
Why do we touch the floor and place our hands in front of our eyes?
In Hindu culture, we believe that of all our senses, eyes/sight are important to understand existence. We use them to see, learn, give and evoke rasa (emotion). For this reason, we take Mother Earth's blessings through our eyes.
Devathaanaam Sirahsthasthu Gurunaam Aasya Samsthithaha
Vakshasthaschaiva Vipraanaam Seshethva Niyamobhaveth
Samudravasane Devi Parvasthanamandale
Vishnupathni Namasthubhyam Paadagathakshamaswame
N A M A S K A R A M
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