Sri Daksinamurti - The Form

Lord Daksinamurti is the presiding deity of Brahma-vidya (self-knowledge) . He is given a particular form for the purpose of worship and contemplation .

Lord Daksinamurti is shown seated under a banyan tree , surrounded by disciples . The Lord is seated on Nandi , the bull who is traditionally the vehicle of Lord Siva . The Lord has four hands . In his lower right hand , He exhibits the cin-mudra and also holds a japa-mala . In his upper right hand , the Lord is holding a damaru ( a small drum ) and a pasa , a noose . In his upper left hand , we see fire , and in the lower left hand , a book . The sun and the moon adorn the crown of the Lord . We also see in his matted locks the maiden figure representing the Ganga . In his right , the Lord wears a man's earring , and in his left ear , a women's earring . He is adorned with necklaces and armlets , a belt and bracelets . His left feet is resting on his right thigh ( in the posture called Virasana ) and his right foot presses a dwarf-like crouching demon called Apasmara .

In understanding the form of Lord Daksinamurti , I will categorise the features in the form into two :

1) The features associated with Lord Siva in general

2) The features unique to Lord Daksinamurti

For now , we will only look into the aspects of Lord Daksinamurti that is generally associated with Lord Siva .Lord Siva is the substratum upon which the play of the creation , sustenance and resolution takes place .

Here is the list of features of  Lord Daksinamurti and their meaning :

Sun and moon ~ eyes of the Lord

The third eye ~ eye of wisdom , representing knowledge

Ornaments of the Lord ~ glories of the Lord

The Lord's vehicle , Nandikesvara ~ represents dharma , justice and virtue

Lord Siva is also known as Ardhanarisvara ( half-male and half-female) representing the union of male aspect (purusha) and female aspect (prakrti) in the creation . In Lord Daksinamurti , this is represented by the Lord wearing a male earring in one ear and female earring in another ear .


The 5 basic elements (panca-bhutas) from which this universe is made are also present in the form :

1) Ganga on the Lord's matted locks ~ element water

2) Damaru ( the small drum ) ~ produces sound , therefore represent element space & symbol of creation

3) Fire ~ element fire & symbol of destruction

4) The matted locks ~ element air

5) Ashes smeared on the Lord's body ~ element Earth

Signing off ,
~Dhesegaan~