Dakshinamurthy Stotram Information & Dakshinamurthy Stotram Links at HealthHaven.com

[edit] Introduction

Dakshinamurthy is an incarination of Shiva. He is considered the supreme god of knowledge according to the Shivite sciptures.

[edit] The Stotram

The Dakshinamurthy stotram (Hymn eulogising Dakshinamurthy), viewed as a form of Shiva is a stotra form of the theory or philosophy ofAdvaita vedanta. Its speciality is that unlike most of the stotras of Hindu gods which are in the form of description of anthropomorphic forms, or mythological deeds of those gods, this is in the form of conceptual and philosophical statements. Repeated chanting and/or meditating on the meaning of these verses is expected to help a spiritual practitioner of Advaita vedanta get thorroughly established in an Advaitic experience. The Dakshinamurthy stotram is arguably the most important small verse to be attributed to Adi Shankara. The speciality of the following verse is that in a compilation of ten stanzas there is a concise and vivid description of the philosophical significance of the form of Siva that is the very essence of the Indian idea of epistemology. It differs from every other attempt in a very basic sense, in that it is holistic rather than purely reductionist.

1. Mauna Vyaakhyaa Prakatita Para Brahma Tattvam Yuvaanam
Varshishthaantevasad Rishi Ganaih Aavritam Brahma Nishthaih
Aachaaryendram Karakalita Chinmudram Aananda Roopam
Svaatmaaraamam Mudita Vadanam Dakshinaamoortim Eede

"I worship Dakshinaamoorti of joyful countenance, who revels in his Self, who is the best of teachers, who bears the Chinmudra sign, who is happiness incarnate, who is youthful, who reveals the essence of the Absolute Self through silent discourse, and who is surrounded a group aged sage-disciples who are themselves established in the (knowledge of the) Self."

2. Vatavitapi Sameepe Bhoomi Bhaage Nishannam
Sakala Muni Janaanaam Jnaana Daataaram Aaraat
Tribhuvana Gurum Eesham Dakshanaamoorti Devam
Janana Marana Duhkha Chheda Daksham Namaami

"I salute Lord Dakshinaamoorti, teacher of the three worlds, who is capable of destroying the sorrows of birth and death, who, seated on a piece of land near the forest of Banyan trees, imparts Self knowledge instantly to all sages."

3. Chitram Vatataror Moole
Vriddhaa Shishyaa Gurur Yuvaa
Gurostu Maunam Vyaakhyaanam
Shishyaastu Chhinna Samshayaah

"Near the roots of the colourful banyan tree are the aged disciples and the young teacher. The teacher is eloquently silent, and the disciples are free from doubt."

4. Nidhaye Sarva Vidyaanaam
Bhishaje Bhava Rooginaam
Gurave Sarva Lokaanaam
Dakshinaamoortaye Namah

"Salutations unto Dakshinaamoorti, the teacher of the entire world, who is the treasury of all knowledge, and who is the physician for the sickness of transmigration."

5. Om Namah Pranavaarthaaya
Shuddha Jnaanaika Moortaye
Nirmalaaya Prashaantaaya
Dakshinaamoortaye Namah

"Salutations to Dakshinaamoorti, who is tranquil and pure. Salutations unto the one who is revealed by the word "OM", and is Pure Knowledge incarnate."

[edit] References

This Hinduism-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.