View source for Dakshinamurti

{{Short description|Aspect of the Hindu god Shiva as a guru}}
{{See also|Dakshinamurthy (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = MaduraiTempleLordShiva.JPG
| caption = Dakshinamurti sculpture on the southern entrance of the [[Meenakshi Temple]] in [[Madurai]].
| affiliation = [[Shaivism]]
| deity_of = God of Wisdom
| symbols = 
| festivals = 
| name = Dakshinamurti
}}
{{Contains special characters|Indic}}
{{Hinduism}}
{{Saivism}}

'''Dakshinamurti''' ({{Langx|sa|दक्षिणामूर्ति|translit=Dakṣiṇāmūrti}})<ref>For iconographic description of the {{IAST|Dakṣiṇāmūrti}} form, see: Sivaramamurti (1976), p. 47.</ref> is an aspect of the Hindu god [[Shiva]] as a [[guru]] (teacher). He is regarded to be the personification of the supreme or the ultimate awareness, understanding, and knowledge.<ref>''Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend'' ({{ISBN|0-500-51088-1}}) by Anna Dallapiccola</ref> Dakshinamurti represents Shiva as a teacher of [[yoga]], music, and wisdom, offering an exposition of the ''[[Shastras]]''.<ref>For description of the form as representing teaching functions, see: Kramrisch, p. 472.</ref> He is worshipped as the god of wisdom and meditation.<ref>Magick of the Gods and Goddesses: Invoking the Power of the Ancient Gods By D. J. Conway p.284</ref>

==Meaning==
Dakshinamurti literally means 'one who is facing south ({{IAST|dakṣiṇa}})' in [[Sanskrit]]. According to another school of thought 'Dakshinya' means Karuna in Sanskrit or kindness (benevolence). So this manifestation of Shiva is a benevolent teacher who accords wisdom to seekers of salvation.
<ref>Shiva to Shankara: Decoding the Phallic Symbol By Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik p.139</ref> In most of the Shiva temples, the stone image of Dakshinamurti is installed, facing south, on the southern circumambulatory path around the sanctum sanctorum. 

==Depiction==

[[Image:Shiva Musée Guimet 26973.jpg|left|thumb|Dakshinamurti, 16th century, [[Musée Guimet]] (museum), Paris.]]

In his aspect as Jnana Dakshinamurti, Shiva is generally shown with [[Chaturbhuja|four arms]]. He is depicted seated under a [[Banyan|banyan tree]], facing the south. Shiva is seated upon a deer-throne and surrounded by sages who are receiving his instruction.<ref>For the deer-throne and the audience of sages as {{IAST|Dakṣiṇāmūrti}}, see: Chakravarti, p. 155.</ref> He is shown as seated with his right foot on mythical [[apasmara]] (a demon which in [[Hindu mythology]], is the personification of ignorance) and his left foot lies folded on his lap. Wild animals are sometimes depicted surrounding him. In his upper arms, he holds a snake or rosary or both in one hand and a flame in the other; while in his lower right hand is shown in vyakhyanamudra, his lower left hand holds a bundle of kusha grass or the scriptures. The index finger of his right hand is bent and touches the tip of his thumb. The other three fingers are stretched apart. This symbolic hand gesture or [[mudra]] is the [[Mudra#Jnana Mudr.C4.81|Gnana Mudra]] (or Jnana Mudra or Jana Mudra), a symbol of knowledge and wisdom. Sometimes, this hand is in the [[Mudra#Abhaya Mudr.C4.81|Abhaya Mudra]], a posture of assurance and blessing. In [[Melakadambur]] the statue of the Dakshinamurti appears seated on a bull under a banyan tree with a hole extending from one ear to the other.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rajarajan|first=R.K.K.|title=New Dimensions of Dakṣiṇāmūrti: with Special Reference to Vijayanagara-Nāyaka Art|journal=Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology|date=January 2019 |url=https://www.academia.edu/42305195}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rajarajan|first=R.K.K.|title=Dakṣiṇamūrti on vimānas of Viṣṇu Temples in the Far South|journal=South Asian Studies|year=2011 |volume=27|issue=2|pages=131–144|doi=10.1080/02666030.2011.614413|s2cid=194022781|url=https://www.academia.edu/3310983}}</ref>

Dakshinamurti is portrayed as a powerful form brimming with ever-flowing bliss and supreme joy while being in the yogic state of abstract meditation. Variations of this iconic representation include Veenadhara Dakshinamurti (holding a [[Veena]]) and Rishabharudha Dakshinamurti (mounted on a Rishabha - the bull).

==Significance==
[[File:Big Temple-Temple Entrance.jpg|thumb|right|x216px|Worshipers at Dakshinamurti temple at [[Brihadeeswarar temple]]]]
Indian tradition accords a special reverence to the guru or the spiritual teacher. Dakshinamurti is regarded as the ultimate guru, the embodiment of knowledge and the destroyer of ignorance (as represented by the demon being crushed under the feet of the deity). The Jnana Mudra is interpreted in this way:- The thumb denotes the god and the index finger denotes the man. The other three fingers stand for the three congenital impurities of man viz. arrogance, illusion and bad deeds of the past births. When man detaches himself from these impurities, he reaches God. Another interpretation is that the other three fingers denote the three states of life: Jagruti (Fully awake through senses and mind), [[Swapna (philosophy)|Swapna]] (Sleep state - When the mind is awake) and Sushupti (True-self - When the senses and mind go into soul - [[Ātman (Hinduism)|Atma]]). The Abhaya Mudra, a gesture with the hand lifted above thigh with palm facing out, fingers pointing, is interpreted as his grace upon his students. The rosary or the snake signifies [[Tantras (Hinduism)|tantric]] knowledge. The fire represents illumination, removing the darkness of ignorance.

==Temples==
[[Image:Kapaleeshwarar Gopurum.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Gopuram]] of [[Kapaleeshwarar Temple|Kapaleeshwarar temple]], [[Chennai]] depicts two sculptures of Dakshinamurti: one playing the [[veena]], another in a meditative state.]]
Even though the icon of Dakshinamurti is installed in every Shiva temple, there are only a few temples where Dakshinamurti is the chief deity. 
* Only one of the twelve [[Jyotirlinga]]s is Dakshinamurti, the [[Mahakaleshwar]] in Ujjain. Being the only Dakshinmurthy Jyotirlinga, It holds special importance for Shaivites as a site of learning.
* Sree Dakshinamurti Temple at [[Sukapuram]], [[Edappal]], [[Ponnani Taluk]], [[Malappuram District]], [[Kerala]]. Pratishtha was done by Suka Maharshi. It is estimated to be 1500 years old.
* Sree Medha Dakshinamurti Temple in gujrathipeta, [[Srikakulam]] in Andhra Pradesh.
* Sree Medha Dakshina Murthy Temple, Sri Neelakanteswara  Swamy Temple Complex, Makavaram, [[Kuddigam]] village, Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh, consecrated in June 2022
* Thiruvairanikulam Dakshinamurthy Temple, located to the southern side of the famous [[Thiruvairanikulam Mahadeva Temple]] on the bank of [[Periyar river]], in [[Vellarapally]] village in [[Ernakulam district]]. It is famous as the only temple in Kerala where Dakshinamurthy has an idol in human form. Formerly under ruins for around two centuries, it was renovated in 2019.
* The deity at [[Vaikom temple|the famous Shiva temple]] in [[Vaikom]] town in [[Kottayam district]] of [[Kerala]] is worshipped as Dakshinamurti in the morning, [[Kirata|Kirathamurthy]] in the afternoon and as Umamaheshwara in the evening.
* [[Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple]] in Kerala, where the deity enshrined in the form of a [[Lingam|Shivalingam]] is considered as Dakshinamurti
* [[Alangudi, Papanasam taluk|Alangudi]], Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu
* Sree Dakshinamurti Temple at Pattamangalam village, in [[Sivaganga district|Sivagangai District]], Tamil Nadu. It is estimated that this temple is nearly 500 years old.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=642|title=Dakshinamurthi Temple : Dakshinamurthi Temple Details &#124; Dakshinamurthi- Pattamangalam &#124; Tamilnadu Temple &#124; தட்சிணாமூர்த்தி}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sivagangaiseemai.com/pattamangalam-guru-temple.html|title = Pattamangalam Guru Temple &#124; Pattamangalam Guru Bhagavan Temple Timings}}</ref>
* In the Sivanandeswarar temple in Thirupanthurai, Tanjore, Tamil Nadu, He is depicted in the [[Ardhanari]] form.
* In Thirupulivanam, we can find Dakshinamurti in the form of [[Ardhanariswara]]. This temple is on the Uthiramerur-Kanchipuram road, 5&nbsp;km from [[Uthiramerur]], near Chennai.
* In March 2007, a big temple of Dakshinamurti (the first in Maharashtra) was created in the Shrutisagar Ashram, about 30&nbsp;km from [[Pune]]
* Pragya Dakshinamoorthy at Chibavananda Ashram in [[Theni]], western Tamil Nadu
* In Suchindram Thanumalaya temple (5&nbsp;km from Nagercoil, Kanyakumari Dist.), contrary to tradition, Dakshinamurti is worshipped instead of [[Ganesh]]/Vinayaka. Ganesha statue comes last in the worship line.
* In Thiruvotriyur, Chennai a dedicated temple to Dakshinamurti exists. It is unique as the deity faces north and is aptly called Vadagurusthalam (the guru's place of north).
* The oldest Dakshnimurthy temple is situated in Poonthottam village in Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu. It is estimated that this temple is nearly 1000 years old and the idol of the deity was fixed on the day of mahakumbamela that took place 1000 years ago
*Dakshinamurti temple at [[Vellave]] near Taliparambu ([[Kannur]] District, [[Kerala]]), This is a swayambhoo temple (self evolved) of Dakshinamurthi. This temple is situated 4&nbsp;km away from the famous [[Rajarajeshwara Temple]], [[Taliparamba]]
*Panaickal Sree Dakshinamurti temple at [[Kadakkarappally]], Cherthala Thaluk in Alappuzha District, Kerala
* Since 2002, Mauritius has seen its one and only Dakshinamurti Temple located on the east coast at Palmar on the Indian Ocean, in the compound of Arsha Vidya Ashram. The deity has occupied a place in the Ashram since 1994 but in 2002, a temple was built according to the rules of shahastra nama to give an altar to the Lord.
* One of the temples in the United States dedicated to Dakshinamurti is located at [http://www.arshavidya.org/overview-temple.html Arsha Vidya Gurukulam] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719001403/http://www.arshavidya.org/overview-temple.html |date=2014-07-19 }} in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania.
* Adiyogi {{dash}} The Abode of Yoga is a 30,000 square foot space located at the Isha Institute of Inner-sciences, Tennessee, USA. It houses a 21 feet statue of Adiyogi Shiva (which is seen as representation of Dakshinamurti<ref name=Adiyogi>{{cite web|last1=Sadhguru|title=The first Guru is born|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/edit-page/The-first-Guru-is-born/articleshow/14613783.cms|work=The Times of India}}</ref>),  along with a [[Shivalinga]].
* Gurusthalam at Thiruvallur, Tamil Nad Shree Yoga Gnana Dhakshanamoorthy Peetam
* A 112 feet, South-facing [[Adiyogi Shiva statue]] (Adiyogi {{dash}} The Source of Yoga) along with a linga called "Yogeshwar Linga". It is located at the Isha Yoga Center in [[Coimbatore]], India. The South-facing Adiyogi is seen as a representation of Dakshinamurti, and is considered the Adi Guru or the first Guru.
* Thrikkapeleswaram Dakshinamurthi temple located in Niranam, Kadapra, Pathanamthitta dist, Kerala  is one of the oldest Dakshinamurthi temple.

==Hymns==
Many [[mantra]]s are dedicated to Dakshinamurti.

'''Dakshinamurti Gayatri Mantra'''

{{Blockquote|text=<i>Om Vṛṣabhadhvajaya Vidmahe<br>Dhyānahastaya Dhīmahi<br>Tanno Dakṣiṇāmūrti Pracodayat</i>}}

The ''[[Dakshinamurti Stotra]]'' by [[Adi Shankara]] is a laudatory hymn dedicated to this form of Shiva.

{{Blockquote|text=<i>oṃ maunavyākhyā prakaṭita parabrahmatatvaṃ yuvānaṃ<br>varśiṣṭhānte vasad ṛṣigaṇair āvṛtaṃ brahmaniṣṭhaiḥ<br>ācāryendraṃ karakalita cinmudram ānandamūrtiṃ<br>svātmarāmaṃ muditavadanaṃ dakṣiṇāmūrtimīḍe</i>}}

I salute Śrī Dakṣiṇāmūrti, the Young Guru, who teaches the knowledge of Brahman through silence, who is surrounded by disciples, who are themselves ṛṣis and scholars in the Vedas. (I worship Śrī Dakṣiṇāmūrti), who is the teacher of teachers, whose hand is held in the sign of knowledge (cin-mudrā), whose nature is fullness, who reveals in himself, and who is ever silent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dakshinamurthy Stotram in Sanskrit, English with Meaning |url=https://shlokam.org/dakshinamurthystotram/ |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=Shlokam |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Yogadakshinamurti ==
'''Yoga Dakshinamurti''' is an aspect of [[Shiva]] as a [[guru]] (teacher) of [[yoga]].

===Representation===

In his aspect as Yoga [[Dakshinmurty|Dakshinamurti]], Shiva is generally represented in any of the two styles described as under: -

He is represented sitting in [[Lotus position|padmasana]] (lotus position) posture, engrossed in [[dhyana in Hinduism|dhyana]] (meditation). He is shown as having four arms. His four arms are depicted in different ways. In the upper right hand he holds his trident ([[trishula]]); he carries a bowl of human skull in his upper left hand; the lower right hand is shown in chinmudra; and the lower left hand is raised to his chest.

In another representation, he is shown as sitting under a banyan tree. His one leg rests on the ground, while the other is on his thigh, with the help of a Yogapatta. His four arms are shown in different ways. He carries an [[akshamala]] in his upper right hand; the upper left hand is shown as carrying fire; the lower right hand is depicted in dhyanamudra and the lower left hand is shown in abhayamudra (gesture of fearlessness). Below his seat, two deer are shown kneeling, and a cobra wound around his right arm looks towards him.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://vignanam.org/veda/dakshina-murthy-stotram-english.html Dakshinamurti Stotram]

{{commons category|Dakshinamurthy}}{{Shaivism topics}}{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category:Forms of Shiva]]
[[Category:Knowledge gods]]