ashirvada

आशीर्वाद asirvada

A blessing bestowed by an elder, teacher, or holy person, usually with a hand laid on the head of the one who bows. Classic forms include 'ayushman bhava' ('may you live long') and 'saubhagyavati bhava' (to a married woman). It is the return half of the charan sparsh exchange: humility offered up, blessing sent back down.