Dakshinamurthy Stotram In English
Dakshinamurthy Stotram is a powerful Sanskrit hymn dedicated to Lord Dakshinamurthy, a form of Lord Shiva. He is worshipped as the ultimate teacher (Adi Guru) and is considered the embodiment of knowledge, wisdom, and enlightenment. The stotram, composed by the great sage Adi Shankaracharya, extols the glory of Lord Dakshinamurthy and describes His divine attributes as the Guru who imparts spiritual wisdom to seekers.
Dakshinamurthy Stotram In English
Pralambitajaṭābaddhaṃ Candrarekhāvataṃsakam .
Nīlagrīvaṃ Śaraccandra-Candrikābhirvirājitam .. 1..
Gokṣīradhavalākāraṃ Candrabimbasamānanam .
Susmitaṃ Suprasannaṃ Ca Svātmatattvaikasaṃsthitam .. 2..
Gaṅgādharaṃ Śivaṃ Śāntaṃ Lasatkeyūramaṇḍitam .
Sarvābharaṇasaṃyuktaṃ Sarvalakṣaṇasaṃyutam .. 3..
Vīrāsane Samāsīnaṃ Vedayajñopavītinam .
Bhasmadhārābhirāmaṃ Taṃ Nāgābharaṇabhūṣitam .. 4..
Vyāghracarmāmbaraṃ Śuddhaṃ Yogapaṭṭāvṛtaṃ Śubham .
Sarveṣāṃ Prāṇināmātma-Jñānāpasmāra-Pṛṣṭataḥ .. 5..
Vinyastacaraṇaṃ Samyag Jñānamudrādharaṃ Haram .
Sarvavijñānaratnānāṃ Kośabhūtaṃ Supustakam .. 6..
Dadhānaṃ Sarvatattvākṣamālikāṃ Kuṇḍikāmapi .
Svātmabhūtaparānandaparāśaktyardha-Vigraham .. 7..
Dharmarūpavṛṣopetaṃ Dhārmikairvedapāragaiḥ .
Munibhissaṃvṛtaṃ Māyāvaṭamūlāśritaṃ Śubham .. 8..
Īśānaṃ Sarvavidyānāmīśvareśvaramavyayam .
Utpattyādivinirmuktaṃ Oṅkārakamalāsanam .. 9..
Svātmavidyāpradānena Sadā Saṃsāramocakam .
Rudraṃ Paramakāruṇyātsarvaprāṇihite Ratam .. 10..
Upāsakānāṃ Sarveṣāmabhīṣṭasakalapradam .
Dakṣiṇāmūrtidevākhyaṃ Jagatsvargādikāraṇam .. 11..
Samāgatya Mahābhaktyā Daṇḍavatpṛthivītale .
Praṇamya Bahuśo Devaṃ Samārādhya Yathā Balam .. 12..
Rudra Yatte Mukhaṃ Tena Dakṣiṇaṃ Pāhi Māmiti .
Uktvā Punaḥ Punardevaṃ Pūjayāmāsa Bhaktitaḥ .. 13..
.. Iti Sūtasaṃhitāntargatam Dakṣiṇāmūrtistotram ..
Who is Lord Dakshinamurthy?
Lord Dakshinamurthy is a unique form of Shiva, depicted as a divine teacher seated under a banyan tree, facing south (Dakshina). Unlike other forms of Shiva, He is shown in a meditative posture, with His disciples sitting at His feet. His silence is considered the supreme teaching (maunavyakhya), symbolizing that true knowledge is beyond words. He removes ignorance (Avidya) and grants self-realization (Atma Jnana) to His devotees.
Iconography of Lord Dakshinamurthy
The traditional depiction of Lord Dakshinamurthy is rich in symbolism:
- Seated under a Banyan Tree – Represents eternal wisdom and knowledge.
- South-facing (Dakshina) – Indicates auspiciousness and enlightenment.
- Right Hand in Chinmudra – Symbolizes knowledge and self-realization.
- Left Hand Holding a Book – Represents the Vedas and sacred knowledge.
- Japa Mala (Rosary Beads) – Signifies meditation and spiritual discipline.
- Demon Under His Foot – Symbolizes ignorance being crushed by knowledge.
Benefits of Reciting Dakshinamurthy Stotram
Regular recitation of this stotram brings numerous spiritual benefits, including:
- Removal of Ignorance – Helps seekers gain clarity and wisdom.
- Inner Peace and Enlightenment – Enhances meditation and self-awareness.
- Protection from Negative Influences – Invokes divine blessings for a spiritually fulfilling life.
- Strengthens Guru-Disciple Relationship – Reinforces the importance of a Guru in spiritual growth.
