Previous Year Question

Dakshinamurti is the Guru or Teacher form of Lord Shiva. In this form, Shiva is represented as the supreme teacher of knowledge, philosophy, yoga, music and the Shastras.

The literal sense of ‘Dakshinamurti’ is associated with the south-facing form. In temple architecture, his image is generally associated with the southern side of the sanctum of a Shiva temple.

In iconography, Dakshinamurti is usually represented seated beneath a banyan tree, imparting knowledge to sages or disciples gathered around him.

In his teaching form, the right hand is often shown in Vyakhyana Mudra or Jnana Mudra. In some images, objects such as a book, rosary or other symbols associated with knowledge are also shown.

Several iconographic forms of Dakshinamurti are found, such as Jnana Dakshinamurti, Yoga Dakshinamurti, Veena Dakshinamurti and Vyakhyana Dakshinamurti. In all these forms, the central idea is Shiva as the giver of knowledge and the Guru.