How to Offer Obeisances?

Çréla Prabhupäda writes: A disciple should offer daëòavats, not namaskara.

Daëòa means "a long rod," and vat means "like." Before a superior, one has to fall down on the ground just like a stick, and this sort of offering of respect is called daëòavat. [SB 4.1.24 Purport]

dorbhyäà padäbhyäà jänubhyäm urasä çirasä dåçä

manasä vacasä ceti praëämo 'ñöäìga éritaù

The obeisances offered with eight limbs are made with the two arms, the two legs, the two knees, the chest, the head, the eyes, the mind and the power of speech.

When one offers obeisances to his superior with all eight aìgas (parts) of the body, he performs what is called daëòavat. Sometimes we only speak of daëòavats but actually do not fall down. [CC Madhya 1.67 Purport]

The Hari-bhakti-viläsa tells how to offer daëòavat-praëäma: Offer obeisances with eight aìgas-your feet, knees, chest, hands, head, sight, mind, and words. With your two feet, knees, chest, hands and head touching the ground, and with your eyes downcast and half open, recite a suitable prayer while meditating that your head is under the Lord's lotus feet.

To make païcäìga-praëäma, offer obeisances with five aìgas-knees, arms, head, intellect, and words. (The chest does not touch the ground.) It is an offense to offer obeisances with only one hand-that is, with one hand extended in front of the head while the other holds a beadbag or other sacred item off the floor. Before offering obeisances, set down anything you are holding.

Men may perform either type of praëäma, but women traditionally perform only païcäìga-praëäma.