Dakhshinamurti ( Lord Shiva as a Teacher)

Dakhshinamurti  ( Lord Shiva as a Teacher)

Chola Dynast,11th Century AD

       Today is Guru pornima, when we are supposed to remember our Gurus or teachers. After our Gods and parents, gurus are the most venerated. For it is they who educate us and civilise us. Without education, Man is like a beast. 

       In Hinduism Lord  Shiva as Dakhshinamurti, and Brahaspati are considered the two foremost gurus. While Dakhshinamurti teaches the mortals, Brahaspati is the guru of the demons. 

      Dakhshinamurti is a unique form of Lord Shiva. He faces the south direction  (dakhshin), the direction of death. He sits under the polar star, symbol of unflinching devotion and determination.  He holds the Vedas in one of his hands, symbol of wisdom. His one foot rests on a dwarf, symbol of ignorance.  Lord Shiva as Guru teaches us how to cope with impermanence,  with mortality, with death. Impermanence and death are the two most frightening fears we have. With devotion and dedication, with wisdom and vision we shall overcome our ignorance about impermanence. The world is an illusion. But beyond this illusion is permanence, immortality and truth. For the soul is immortal, the body is perishable.  

        It is for this knowledge and wisdom and vision that we bow before our Gurus. Given a choice between God (Govind) and Guru, Saint Katie says "Bow to your Guru.