Iconography of Dakshinamurti Shiva.

Iconography of Dakshinamurti Shiva.

Discuss the iconography of Dakshinamurti Shiva.

Dakshinamurthi Shiva is a form where Shiva is seen as a teacher possessing knowledge of everything. Here Shiva is percieved as a teacher of yoga, music, wisdom, and shastras. Dakshinamurti literally means 'one who is facing south' in Sanskrit.

Iconography: He is seen seated under a banyan tree, giving his discourse to everybody including birds and animals, showing his knowledge is meant for every creature on earth. Shiva's left leg is folded on his lap while the right foot on a mythical apasmara, a personification of ignorance. He is depicted with four hands, holding the rosary, aksharmala in the upper right hand, the upper left holding a flaming stick symbolising enlightenment, the lower left hand holds a bundle of scriptures, while the lower right is in the vyakhyanamudra. Sometimes, this hand is in the Abhaya Mudra, a posture of assurance and blessing.The youthfulness and energy is depicted on his face adorned with a hair style of coiled locks.

Dakshinamurthi is portrayed as being in the yogic state of abstract meditation - and as a powerful form brimming with ever flowing bliss and supreme joy. Variations of this iconic representation include Veenadhara Dakshinamurthy (holding a Veena), Rishabharooda Dakshinamurthy (mounted on a bull) etc.