Can we do salutations to humans? Chinnakatha from Ashoka's life story

Many have a doubt whether it is alright to do namaskar to human beings. But who else will one do namaskar to, to the ghosts? Once, Emperor Ashoka went for a walk along with his minister. Midway they met a Buddhist monk. Emperor Ashoka ran forward and prostrated in front of the monk. The minister was pained to see his emperor prostrate before a monk. He thought sadly, “Alas, the valuable head of the emperor touched the feet of a recluse.” Though he was a minister he was narrow minded and had no broad thinking. He waited for suitable opportunity and upon returning to the palace he said, “Maharaja! I was very much troubled.” The king asked, “Why Minister, why were you troubled?” The minister said, “The head of the emperor Ashoka is very valuable. How can such valuable head of the emperor be laid on the feet of the monk?” The emperor did not reply. He just smiled and left. Emperor Ashoka was waiting for a opportune moment. After a few days the King called the minister aside and said, “Bring me three heads.” The minister said, “O King I shall definitely get them.” “One, the head of a goat, second, the head of a tiger and the third, a human head. Bring these three.” said the king. The minister got the head of a goat from some place. He went to the forest, killed a tiger and got its head. He went to the burial ground and got the head of a dead body lying there. He went to the king and said, “O King I have brought the heads as you have asked.” The king said, “Good, go to the market tomorrow and sell them.” The head of the goat was immediately sold out in the market. The head of the tiger was also bought by people to decorate their houses after stuffing the head. But nobody bought the human head. The minister returned to the King and said, “O King nobody bought this human head.” “Ok if nobody is ready to buy the head give it for free of cost in the market.” said the king. Nobody was ready to take the human head even though it was offered free of cost. “O king nobody is taking the human head even though there was no price to be paid.” the minister told the King. “The head has value as long as there is life in the body. The moment the body becomes life less the head too loses its value. Therefore, before the head loses its value, prostrate before the noble and achieve sanctity. Make proper use of the head while there is still life in it.” What is humiliating in prostrating before the elders? The atheists criticize such ideology. Such criticising is very foolish. Paying respects at the feet of the noble souls gives value and respect to the human body.