History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v2.c24.s1.267

v2.c24.s1.267

The manner of abhivādana was as follows:⁸¹⁸ 'A brāhmaṇa shall salute stretching forward his right arm on a level with his ear, a kṣatriya holding it on a level with the chest, a vaiśya holding it on a level with the waist and a śūdra holding it low (up to his feet) and that the salutation shall be by joining one's hands' (Āp. Dh. S. I. 2. 5. 16-17). The Madanapārijāta adds that abhivādana is with both hands when the person to be saluted is learned, but with one hand only if he is not learned (p. 27) and the Sm. C. (I. p. 36) quotes Viṣṇu and Atri to the same effect. The stretching of the hands up to the ear &c. indicates how far the head is to be bent in each case.