What does pranam mean, and why do we touch elders’ feet?
Pranam means bowing with respect. When children fold their hands or touch an elder’s feet, they are saying, “I respect you, and I’m grateful for what you know and give.” In return, the elder places a hand on the child’s head and gives a blessing. It is a two-way gift of respect and love.
The three common kinds of pranam
| Pranam | What you do | When families use it |
|---|---|---|
| Namaste or namaskar | Fold your hands at your chest and bow your head a little | Greeting anyone: friends, teachers, guests |
| Charan sparsh | Bend down and touch an elder’s feet | Greeting grandparents, parents, teachers, and on festivals and birthdays |
| Sashtang pranam | Lie down fully, face to the ground, arms stretched forward | In temples or before a guru, on special occasions |
“Namaste” comes from the Sanskrit namah te, “I bow to you.”
Why do we touch elders’ feet?
Touching feet is a way of saying that an elder’s experience is something we look up to. Families often explain it simply: “Dadi has walked a long road of life. When we bow to her feet, we honour that journey, and she gives us her blessings.”
The scriptures show the same respect. In the Ramayana, Shri Ram bows to his parents and his gurus before every big step. In the Bhagavad Gita (4.34), Shri Krishna tells Arjuna to learn from the wise by bowing to them, asking questions and serving them.
What do elders say back?
When a child touches their feet, elders usually touch the child’s head and give a blessing, such as:
- “Ayushman bhava”: may you live a long life.
- “Khush raho”: stay happy.
- “Jeete raho”: live well.
For children, this is the best part: every pranam comes with a blessing.
How to teach pranam to your child
- Do it yourself first. Children copy what they see. Let them watch you touch your parents’ feet.
- Explain the why in one line. “We bow to Nani because she loves us and knows so much.”
- Make it part of a routine, such as when grandparents visit, on festivals, or before an exam.
- Never force it. If a child is shy, a namaste or a hug is fine. Respect that is forced doesn’t feel like respect.
- Keep it alive on video calls. Children abroad can fold their hands and say “Pranam, Dadi” to the screen.
The meaning of “Pratham Pranam”
“Pratham pranam” means “the first bow.” In Hindu tradition, the first pranam before anything new goes to Ganesh ji, the remover of obstacles. Our app is named for this: the first, simple step a child takes towards respect, gratitude and devotion.
Questions parents ask
Should I make my child touch elders’ feet? Encourage it, but don’t force it. Show them, explain why, and let them join in when they’re comfortable. A folded-hands namaste is always a respectful choice.
Is namaste the same as pranam? Namaste is one kind of pranam. Pranam is the wider word for any respectful bow, from folded hands to touching feet.
At what age can children start? Toddlers as young as two can learn to fold their hands. By five or six, most children can do charan sparsh with a little help.
Learn it on Pratham Pranam
Find stories about respect, gratitude and kindness in Sanskaar on Pratham Pranam, each with a small activity to try at home.