Nimashkar

Nimashkar or Namashkar is made of three words: NAM + ASH + KAR = NAMAHSKAR

NAM is the root form of NAMAH and has the same meaning as NAMAH - NOT ME.

ASH means "To Be" or "To Exist". Another word derived from the same root is Astitva which means existence.

KAR means doer or one who makes or creates. For example, KAR can be seen in the words Kalakar, Chitrakar, Karmkar, Charmkar. In the above words, the suffix kar leads to the meaning of "doer" - one who does something or creates something - art or painting or work or leather.

In the Sikh tradition, it is common to bow before the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The act of bowing is sometimes referred to a "Nimashkar" or "Maath-taak-na" - literally "to lower the forehead"