Sri Dakshina Murthy Stotram / श्री दक्षिणामूर्ति स्तोत्रम्
Sri Dakshina Murthy is the manifestation of Bhagwan Shiva in the form of Guru or the Supreme Master who bestows knowledge. In this form, Bhagwan Shiva is in sitting position under a banyan tree facing the South direction.
The word ‘Dakshina’ means South. In Siva temples, Sri Dakshina Murthy is always placed on the southern side of the wall around the main deity. As Sri Dakshina Murthy is Guru, special poojas are done every Thursday, which is also called as Guru Vaar.
Sri Dakshina Murthy is the prime and primary Guru in the Universe. The concept of Guru Parampara, i.e lineage of Teachers is equally important as the lineage of the ancestors.
The identity of a normal person is known as either son of / daughter of a father. However, in Guru Parampara, each teacher is recognized as the disciple of his Guru. Sri Dakshina Murthy is the Supreme Teacher from whom the Guru Parampara commences.
Sri Adi Sankaracharya had composed Sri Dakshnina Murthy Slokam and Stotram in devotion to and in praise of Sri Dakshina Murthy. No relevant material is available to ascertain the period in which this was composed.
Many scholars are of the opinion that the verses are poetic in form and philosophical in substance, the philosophy being Advaita, i.e Jeevathma and Paramathma are not different from each other but one and the same only.
The Devenagari script, the English transliteration and a simple English translation are provided in this write-up.
ध्यानं
मौन व्याख्या प्रकटित पर ब्रह्म तत्त्वं युवानं
वर्षिष्ठांते वसद् ऋषिगणैः आवृतं ब्रह्म निष्ठैः
आचार्येन्द्रं कर कलित चिन्मुद्रमानंदमूर्तिं
स्वात्मारामं मुदित वदनं दक्षिणामूर्ति मीडे (1)
DhyanaM
mouna vyakhya prakatitha para brahma thathvaM yuvaanaM
varShiShthaanthe vasadh riShigaNaih aavruthaM brahma niShtaih
aacharyaendhraM kara kalitha chin-mudhraMa-anandha-moorthiM
svaathmaa-raamaM mudhitha vadhanaM dhakShiNaamoorthi meede
Humble Salutations to Sri Dakshina Murthy, who teaches the philosophy of Brahmam, the supreme consciousness through His silent unspoken words to His young disciples; He is the personification of youth; He is surrounded by elderly Sages and Rishis and their mind is centered on Brahmam, the supreme consciousness; He, the acharya, the supreme teacher shows the chin mudra, the gesture of supreme knowledge in His hand and His appearance is blissful and serene; He is the personification of self-happiness which reflects on His peaceful face; He is the Lord of the South; Salutations to Sri Dakshina Murthy.
वट विटपि समीपे भूमि भागे निषण्णं
सकल मुनि जनानां ज्ञान दातारमारात्
त्रिभुवन गुरुमीशं दक्षिणामूर्ति देवं
जनन मरण दुःख च्छेद दक्षं नमामि (2)
vata vitapi sameepae bhoomi bhaagae niShaNaNaM
sakala muni janaanaaM jnyaana daathaara-maaraath
thri-bhuvana gurumeeshaM dakShiNaamoorthi dhaevaM
janana maraNa duhkha chChaedha dhakShaM namaami
Sri Dakshina Murthy is seated under the Banyan Tree near the ground; He is the benevolent granter of all wisdom and knowledge and all the Sages are sitting around Him; He is the Supreme Teacher of the Three Worlds [Heaven, Earth and Underground (patala)]; He is Bhagwan Sri Dakshina Murthy; He is the remover of all the hardships which occur due to births, deaths, sorrows and worries; He is the Lord of the South; Salutations to Sri Dakshina Murthy.
चित्रं वट तरोर्मूले वृद्धाः शिष्या गुरुर्युवा
गुरोस्तु मौनं व्याख्यानं शिष्यास्तु च्छिन्न संशयाः (3)
chithram vata tharoarmoolae vruDhdhaah siShyaa gururyuvaa
guroasthu maunaM vyaakhyaanaM siShyaasthu chChinna saMshayaah
The spectacle of Young and Youthful Sri Dakshina Murthy sitting at the base of the Banyan Tree with His elderly disciples in front of Him is really a wonderful phenomenon. The profound silence of the Teacher (Sri Dakshina Murthy) is the exposition of His vast knowledge and that silence dissolves the doubts and queries in the minds of the disciples. He is the Lord of the South; Salutations to Sri Dakshina Murthy.
निधये सर्व विद्यानां भिषजे भव रोगिणाम्
गुरवे सर्व लोकानां दक्षिणामूर्तये नमः (4)
niDhayae sarva viDhyaanaaM bhiShajae bhava roagiNaam
guravae sarva loakaanaaM dhakShiNaamoorthayae namah
Sri Dakshina Murthy is the doyen and repository of all the knowledge; He is the cure for all the ailments of worldly bondages; He is the Teacher for all the Worlds; He is the Lord of the South; Salutations to Sri Dakshina Murthy.
ॐ नमः प्रणवार्थाय शुद्धज्ञानैक मूर्तये
निर्मलाय प्रशान्ताय दक्षिणामूर्तये नमः (5)
Om namah praNavaarThaaya shuDhdha-jnyaanaika moorthayae
nirmalaaya prashaanthaaya dhakShiNaamoorthayae namah
Om: Humble salutations to Sri Dakshina Murthy; He is the quintessence of the Pranava Manthram, Om; He is the epitome of knowledge in its purest form; He is free from blemishes; He is tranquil and calm; He is the Lord of the South; Salutations to Sri Dakshina Murthy.
चिद्घनाय महेशाय वटमूल निवासिने
सच्चिदानन्द रूपाय दक्षिणामूर्तये नमः (6)
chidhghanaaya mahaeshaaya vatamoola nivaasinae
sachchidhaanandha roopaaya dhakShiNaamoorthayae namah
Sri Dakshina Murthy is the consolidation of the supreme consciousness; He is Mahaesha, the Great Esha, Eshwar; He resides at the roots of the Banyan Tree; He is the personification of the life, mind and happiness; He is the Lord of the South; Salutations to Sri Dakshina Murthy.
ईश्वरो गुरुरात्मेति मूर्तिभेद विभागिने
व्योमवद् व्याप्त देहाय दक्षिणामूर्तये नमः (7)
eeshvaro gururaathmaethi moorhitbhaedha vibhaaginae
vyoamavadh vyaaptha dhaehaaya dhakShiNaamoorthayae namah
Sri Dakshina Murthy has the diverse manifestations of Eshwar (Bhagwan Shiva), the ultimate teacher and the supreme consciousness; He is the Lord of the heaven; His Holy body is magnificent and all pervasive; He is the Lord of the South; Salutations to Sri Dakshina Murthy.
स्तोत्रम्
विश्वं दर्पण दृश्यमान नगरी तुल्यं निजान्तर्गतं
पश्यन्नात्मनि मायया बहिरिवो द्भूतं यथा निद्रया
यः साक्षात्कुरुते प्रबोध समये स्वात्मान मेवाद्वयं
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये (1)
Sthothram
vishvaM dharpaNa dhrushyamaana nagaree thulyaM nijaanthargathaM
pashyannaathmani maayayaa bahirivoa dhubhoothaM yaThaa nidhrayaa
yah saakShaathkuruthae praboaDha samayae svaathmaana mevaadhvayaM
thasmai shree-guru-moorthaye nama idhaM shree-dhakShinNaamoorthayae
The whole universe appears like a city in the mirror, the mirror being the state of mind laden with ignorance; When one seeks the image of the world within him, it appears as if the world exists outside;
This is the phenomenon occurring within the atman (inner self) due to the maya (illusion) and this is similar to what one dreams in his sleep;
On the spiritual awakening, the illusion that there are different versions of the same truth goes away and one realizes his own inner self.
The spiritual awakening is provided only by the Supreme Teacher and He is Sri Dakshina Murthy, the Lord of the South.
बीजस्याऽन्तरिवाङ्कुरो जगदिदं प्राङ्गनिर्विकल्पं पुनः
माया कल्पित देश काल कलना वैचित्र्यचित्रीकृतम्
मायावीव विजृम्भयत्यपि महा योगीव यः स्वेच्छया
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये (2)
beejasyaanthariva-anGgkuroa jagadhidhaM praanGga-nirvikalpaM punah
maayaa kalpitha dhesha kaala kalanaa vaichithrya-chithree-krutham
maayaaveeva vijurmbhayathyapi mahaa yogeeva yah svaechChayaa
thasmai shree-guru-moorthaye nama idhaM shree-dhakShiNaamoorthayae
The life in a seed germinates and sprouts into a form which is different from the seed;
Due to the illusion, there are endless images such as space and time in the universe;
When the universe unfolds from the seed, it appears like a magic done by a Great Yogi who does the unfolding effortlessly. This understanding comes through spiritual awakening.
The spiritual awakening is provided only by the Supreme Teacher and He is Sri Dakshina Murthy, the Lord of the South.
यस्यैव स्फुरणं सदात्मकम सत्कल्पार्थकं भासते
साक्षात्तत्त्वमसीति वेद वचसा यो बोधयत्याश्रितान्
यत्साक्षात्करणाद्भवेन्न पुनरावृत्तिर्भवाम्भोनिधौ
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये (3)
yasyaeva sphuraNaM sadhaathmakam sathkalpaarThakaM bhaasathae
saakShaathath-thvam-asithi vaedha vachasaa yoa boDhayathy-aashrithaan
yath-saakShaath-karaNaadh-bhavenna punaraavrththir-bhavaam-bho-niDhau
thasmai shree-guru-moorthayae nama idhaM shree-dhakShiNaamoorthayae
On account of this manifestation, which is the eternal awareness, the meaningless forms get significance;
The awakening of the knowledge of the self, named ‘Tatvmasi’ as prescribed in the Vedas happens as an experience to us when we absolutely surrender to Him;
With this experience of the inner self, the delusions such as the cycle of births and deaths can be done away with. This experience occurs through spiritual awakening.
The spiritual awakening is provided only by the Supreme Teacher and He is Sri Dakshina Murthy, the Lord of the South.
नानाच्छिद्रघटो दरस्थित महा दीप प्रभा भास्वरं
ज्ञानं यस्य तु चक्षुरादि करण द्वारा वहिः स्पन्दते
जानामीति तमेव भान्तमनुभात्येतत्समस्तं जगत्
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये (4)
naanaach-Chidhra-ghatoa dhara-sthitha mahaa dheepa prabhaa bhaasvaraM
jnyaanaM yasya thu chakShuraadhi karaNa-dhvaaraa vahih spandhathae
jaanaameethi thamaeva bhaantham-anubhaathyethata-samasthaM jagath
thasmai shree-guru-moorthayae nama idhaM shree-dhakShiNaamoorthaye
The lighted lamp put in a pot (container) with holes gives out the bright shining light outwards through the holes.
Similar to this, the knowledge and wisdom of a person emanates through the sensory organs such as eyes, ears, mouth and thoughts.
When a person realizes his inner self, i.e Atma, the entire universe shall shine on him. Self- realization occurs through spiritual awakening.
The spiritual awakening is provided only by the Supreme Teacher and He is Sri Dakshina Murthy, the Lord of the South.
देहं प्राणमपी न्द्रियाण्यपि चलां बुद्धिं च शून्यं विदुः
स्त्रीबालान्धजडोपमास्त्वहमिति भ्रान्ता भृशं वादिनः
माया शक्तिविलास कल्पित महा व्यामोह संहारिणे
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये (5)
dhaehaM praaNamapi indhriyaaNyapi chalaaM buDhdhiM cha shoonyaM vidhuh
sthree-baala-andha-jaddoa-upamaas-thvahamithi bhraanthaa bhrushaM vaadhinah
maayaa shakthi-vilaasa kalpitha mahaa vyaamoaha saMhaariNae
thasmai shree-guru-moorthayae nama idhaM shree-dhakShiNaamoorthaye
The persons who ruminate that the body or the breath or the sensory organs or the wavering mind or the nothingness as the ‘I’;
Such persons are as deluded and naïve as an innocent girl child, a visually challenged person and the ignorant; They steadfastly assert their views based on this ignorance;
He extinguishes the veil of such ignorance which arose only due to illusion; This extinguishment of ignorance is possible only through spiritual awakening.
The spiritual awakening is provided only by the Supreme Teacher and He is Sri Dakshina Murthy, the Lord of the South.
राहु ग्रस्त दिवाकरेन्दु सदृशो माया समाच्छादनात्
सन्मात्रः करणोपसंहरणतो योऽभूत्सुषुप्तः पुमान्
प्रागस्वाप्समिति प्रबोध समये यः प्रत्यभिज्ञायते
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये (6)
raahu grastha dhivaakaraendhu sadhrsho maayaa samaachChaadhanaath
san-maathrah karaNoapasangharaNathoa yoAbhoothsu-Shupthah pumaan
praagasvaapsamithi praboaDha samayea yah prathyabhijnyaayathae
thasmai shree-guru-moorthaye nama idhaM shree-dhakShiNaamoorthayae
Similar to Rahu causing the eclipse of the Sun, the illusion ‘Maya’ eclipses the inner consciousness;
Due to the illusion of ignorance, the person whose senses were suppressed realizes that he was asleep;
This happens when he experiences the state of pure consciousness; Pure consciousness is possible only through spiritual awakening.
The spiritual awakening is provided only by the Supreme Teacher and He is Sri Dakshina Murthy, the Lord of the South.
बाल्या दिष्वपि जाग्रदादिषु तथा सर्वास्व वस्थास्वपि
व्यावृत्तास्वनु वर्तमान महमित्यन्तः स्फुरन्तं सदा
स्वात्मानं प्रकटी करोति भजतां यो मुद्रया भद्रया
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये (7)
baalyaa dhiShvapi jaagradhaadhiShu thaThaa sarvaasva vasThaasvapi
vyaavrththaasvanu varthamaana maham-ithyanthah sphuranthaM sadhaa
svaathmaanaM prakattee karothi bhajathaaM yoa mudhrayaa bhadhrayaa
thasmai shree-guru-moorthayae nama idhaM shree-dhakShiNaamoorthayae
Right from the childhood, adulthood and old age, during sleep, dream and wakefulness, the atma, inner self exists;
This atman is unwavering and is existing as ‘’I’’ in all the activities in all the conditions;
The ever-shining Sri Dakshina Murthy is the Guru who awakens one’s inner self and this awakened knowledge is exhibited by way of yogic cin-mudra by Him. The awakening of inner self is called spiritual awakening.
The spiritual awakening is provided only by the Supreme Teacher and He is Sri Dakshina Murthy, the Lord of the South.
विश्वं पश्यति कार्य कारण तया स्वस्वामि सम्बन्धतः
शिष्या चार्य तया तथैव पितृ पुत्राद्यात्मना भेदतः
स्वप्ने जाग्रति वा य एष पुरुषो माया परिभ्रामितः
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये (8)
vishvaM pashyathi kaarya kaaraNa thayaa svasvaami sambanDhathah
siShyaa chaarya thayaa thaTha-eva pithru puthraaDh-yaathmanaa bhaedhathah
svapnae jaagrathi vaa ya eSha puruShoa maayaa paribhraamithah
thasmai shree-guru-moorthayae nama idhaM shree-dhakShiNaamoorthayae
In the universe, the differences perceived between God and the Devotee, possessor and the possessed are viewed as cause and effect;
Such differences are also attributed as teacher- disciple and father-son and these differentiations exist within one inner self, i.e atman;
In the states of alertness and dreaming, only one Purusha (Atman) is manifesting as these differentiations due to the effects of maya, the illusion. Only the spiritual awakening helps in overcoming the illusion.
The spiritual awakening is provided only by the Supreme Teacher and He is Sri Dakshina Murthy, the Lord of the South.
भूरम्भांस्यनलोऽ निलोऽम्बरमहर्नाथो हिमांशु पुमान्
इत्याभाति चराचरात्मकमिदं यस्यैव मूर्त्यष्टकम्
नान्यत् किञ्चन विद्यते विमृशतां यस्मात्परस्माद्विभोः
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये (9)
bhoor-aMbhaamsy-Analo niloAmbaram-aharnaaThoa himaaMshu pumaan
ithyaabhaathi charaachara-athmakamidhaM yasya-eva moorthyaShtakam
naanyath kinchchana vidhyathae vimrshathaaM yasmaath-parasmaadh-vibhoah
thasmai shree-guru-moorthayae nama idhaM shree-dhakshiNaamoorthayae
There are eight manifestations of inner self such as earth, water, fire, wind, space, sun, moon and atman;
This atma exists and shines in all the moving and non-moving things;
The Sages reflect that only He as the essence exists in all the elements and there is nothing else; Everything originates from Him. He also exists beyond everything. This reflection that only He is omnipresent is possible only through spiritual awakening.
The spiritual awakening is provided only by the Supreme Teacher and He is Sri Dakshina Murthy, the Lord of the South.
सर्वात्मत्वमिति स्फुटी कृतमिदं यस्मादमुष्मिन् स्तवे
तेनास्य श्रवणात्तदर्थ मननाद्ध्यानाच्च संकीर्तनात्
सर्वात्मत्वमहाविभूतिसहितं स्यादीश्वरत्वं स्वतः
सिद्ध्येत्तत्पुनरष्टधा परिणतं चैश्वर्यमव्याहतम् (10)
sarvaathmathvam-ithi sphuttee krtham-idhaM yasmaadh-amuShmin sthavae
thaena-asya shravaNaath-thadharTha mananaadg-Dhyaanaachcha sangkeertanaath
sarvaathmathva-mahaa-vibhoothi-sahitham syaad-eeshvarathvaM svathah
siddhyeth-thath-punar-aShtaDhaa pariNatham chaishvaryam-avyaahatham
The core and substance in all are explained in this hymn;
It has to be listened to, meaning has to be contemplated and understood, should be meditated upon, should be chanted and sung with devotion and should be glorified;
With the abovementioned activities, the person shall be endowed with the state of great knowledge of the divine essence and self-realization;
With the occurrence of this knowledge of self-awakening, all the eight Siddies* shall be at the person’s command.
*(Eight yogic attributes such as (1) Anima – reducing the body size to that of an atom, (2) Mahima – enlarging the body size to infinity, (3) Garima – making the body heavy (4) Laghima – making the body light, (5) Prapti – being anywhere at will, (6) Prakyama – realizing one’s desires, (7) Isitva – supremacy over nature and (8) Vasitva – control of natural forces)
