This complete surrender is used both for elders and before deities. One touches the earlobes with one s fingers and with head bowed, introduces himself to his elders. Details such as name, family lineage, gotram, tradition and the branch of Vedic learning one belongs to are given. Having done this, the person then does the sashtanga namaskara. It must be said that men perform the sashtanga and the abhivadana namsakaras.
Women kneel down and touch their foreheads to the ground.