I am happy to share this compilation. Kindly chant by learning the meaning. Word by word meaning has been provided in English
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Dakshinamurthy Stotram
The Dakshinamurti Stotram by Adi Shankaracharya contains some of the most profound teachings of Advaita Vedanta. This transformative knowledge is capable of destroying the Mula Avidya (fundamental ignorance) that is the ultimate cause for all suffering. Thus the Dakshinamurti Stotram is Moksha Shastra, a scriptural teaching that can lead to one’s liberation. This stotra is also a superb work of poetry set in a meter known as Shardula Vikridita. It has 19 syllables in each sentence. It is chanted as two separate words of 12 and 7 syllables. Among all of Shankara’s works, this stotra stands out.
This stotram is primarily a prayer for the worship of Dakshinamurti and secondarily for worshiping any teacher as the form of God. However, Shankara being the great scholarly teacher, uses his hymns wherever possible, to teach Vedanta. Shankara takes all of the profound and complicated Vedanta and unfolds it in this poem in a delightful fashion. To understand this stotram in its true sense requires a Vedantic understanding and spiritual preparation. Therefore this stotram is recommended to be studied after the study of Shankara’s all other Vedantic texts.
Dhyana Shlokas
The Dakshinamurti stotra has 10 verses. Preceding this are several other verses called Dhyana Shlokas. It describes Dakshinamurti in a symbolic way – as the source of all spiritual wisdom, Vedic & Upanishadic wisdom. It also helps paint a picture in one’s mind (iconography). These verses are taken from various scriptures. Some may come from Skanda Purana
मौनव्याख्या प्रकटित परब्रह्मतत्त्वं युवानं
वर्षिष्ठांते वसद् ऋषिगणैः आवृतं ब्रह्मनिष्ठैः ।
आचार्येन्द्रं करकलित चिन्मुद्रमानंदमूर्तिं
स्वात्मारामं मुदितवदनं दक्षिणामूर्तिमीडे ॥१॥
Om
Mauna Vyakhyaa Prakatitha Parabrahma Tathvam Yuvanam
Varshista AntheVasad Rushiganaihi, Aavruttam Brahma Nishtaihi
Achaaryendram Karakalitha Chin Mudram Ananda Murthim
Swatmaraamam Mudita Vadanam Dakshinamurthim Ide
Mauna – Silent, Vyakhya – Exposition / Lecture, Prakatitha – Revealed, made evident, Para Brahma – Ultimate Reality, Tatvam – Truth of Para Brahma, Yuvan – Young / Ageless, Varshsihta – Elderly, Anthe Vasad – One who lived with, Rushiganaihi – Group of Rishis, Aavrut – Surrounded, Brahma Nistaihi – Established in the knowledge of the Brahman, Acharyendra – The king of teachers, greatest teacher, Karakalith – Apparent / Visible (In hand), Chin Mudram – A type of Mudra, Ananda Murthim – In the form of limitless joy, Svatmaram – One who revels in one’s own self, Mudita Vadanam – Whose face is smiling
The reality Brahman – is beyond words. A young guru, imparting knowledge of Brahman through silence, surrounded by rishis who are firmly established in wisdom. Teacher of teachers, whose gesture signifies wisdom, whose nature is fullness, smiling, reveling in himself, I worship that Lord Dakshinamurti.
वटविटपिसमीपेभूमिभागे निषण्णं
सकलमुनिजनानां ज्ञानदातारमारात् ।
त्रिभुवनगुरुमीशं दक्षिणामूर्तिदेवं
जननमरणदुःखच्छेद दक्षं नमामि ॥२॥
Vata Vitapi Samipe Bhumi Bhage Nishannam
Sakala MunijanAaanam JnanadataramAaraath
Tribhuvana GuruEesham Dakshinamurthy Devam
Janana Marana Dukkhaccheda Daksham Namami
Vata – Banyan tree, Vitapi – That which has many branches, Samipe – Near, Bhumi Bhage– On the ground, Nishannam – Seated, Sakala – All, Munijan – Rishis, Jnanadataram – Giver of knowledge, Aarath – In front of, Tribhuvana – 3 Worlds, Guru – Teacher, Eesham – Lord, Devam – God, Janana – Birth, Marana – Death, Dukha – Sorrow, Cheda – Destroy, remove, Daksham – Skillful, Namami – I worship, I salue, I bow.
Dakshinamurthy as teacher of the whole universe. Seated on the ground under the banyan tree, bestowing knowledge to all the rishis who have assembled near him. Teacher of the three worlds, destroyer of the miseries of birth and death, I bow to that Lord.
चित्रं वटतरोर्मूले वृद्धाः शिष्या गुरुर्युवा ।
गुरोस्तु मौनं व्याख्यानं शिष्यास्तुच्छिन्नसंशयाः ॥३॥
Chitram Vattataroor Mule, Vriddha Shishya Gurur Yuva
Gurosthu Maunam Vyakhyanam, Shishyasthu Chinna Samshayah
Chitram – Amazing, Vatataro – Of the Banyan tree, , Mule – At the root, Vriddha – Old / Elderly, Shishya – Students, Guru – Teacher, Yuva – Young / Ageless / Eternal, Gurausthu – Of the students, Maunam – Silent, Vyakhyanam – Exposition/ Teaching, Shishyasthu – Of the students, Chinna – Destroy, Remove, Samshaya – Doubts
Teaching in silence – yet destroying all the doubts. Amazing! Under the banyan tree aged disciples sit around a youthful guru. He taught them in silence, yet their doubts were dispelled.
निधये सर्वविद्यानां भिषजे भवरोगिणाम् ।
गुरवे सर्वलोकानां दक्षिणामूर्तये नमः ॥४॥
Nidhaye Sarva Vidhyanam, Bhishaje Bhava Roginaam
Gurave Sarva Lokanaam Dakshinamurthaye Namaha
Nidhi – Treasure, wealth, Sarva – All, Vidhyanam – among knowledge (of all knowledge), Bhishaje – Medicine, Rog– illness, disease, Bhavarog – Illness of worldly life, Gurave – unto the guru (teacher), Sarvalokanaam– of all the worlds (or people, Dakshinamurtaye – to Shri Dakshinamurti, Namah – Salutations
He is medicine for illness of wordly life. Salutations to Lord Dakshinamurti, the abode of all wisdom, the treasure of all knowledge, the teacher of the whole world, healing those who suffer from the disease of Samsara.
ॐ नमः प्रणवार्थाय शुद्धज्ञानैकमूर्तये ।
निर्मलाय प्रशान्ताय दक्षिणामूर्तये नमः ॥५॥
Om Namah Pranavarthaya, Shuddha Jnanaika Murthaye
Nirmalaaya Prashanthaaya, Dakshinamurthaye Namaha
Om – Ishvara (God), Namah – Salutations, Pranava – name for ॐ, Artha – meaning, Shuddha – Pure, Jnan – Knowledge, Ek – One (Only), Murthaye – unto the form, Nirmal – Untainted, Prashant – Utterly peaceful
Sri Dakshinamurthy as one’s own consciousness. Salutations to Lord Dakshinamurti, who is the meaning of “Om”, whose form is pure knowledge, who is taintless, peaceful and utterly silent.
चिद्घनाय महेशाय वटमूलनिवासिने ।
सच्चिदानन्दरूपाय दक्षिणामूर्तये नमः ॥६॥
Chid Ghanaya – Consciousness solidified, Maheshaya – Ishvara (God), Vata Mula Nivasine – One who resides at the base of the banyan tree, Sacchidananda Rupaya – Embodiment of Sacchidananda (Existence, Consciousness, Bliss), Dakshinamurtaye Namah – Salutation to Lord Dakshinamurthy
Chidghanaya Maheshaya Vatamula Nivasine
Sacchidananda Rupaya Dakshinamurthaye Namaha
Salutations to the one Who is Consciousness Solidified. Salutations to Mahesha (the Great God), Salutations to the One Who dwells at the root of the Banyan Tree (Vata). Salutations to the embodiment of Sacchidananda (Existence, Consciousness, Bliss). Salutations to Sri Dakshinamurthy.
ईश्वरो गुरुरात्मेति मूर्तिभेदविभागिने ।
व्योमवद् व्याप्तदेहाय दक्षिणामूर्तये नमः ॥७॥
Ishwaro Gurur Aatmeti, Murthi Bhedha Vibhagine
Vyomavad Vyaptha Dehaya, Dakshinamurthaye Namaha
Ishwaro – God, Gurur Aatmeti – Spirit in the form of the Guru, Consciousness solidified, Bheda Vibhagine – Different forms of apparent separation, Vyoma Vad – Like a sky, Spiritual sky, Chidakasha, Vyapta Dehaya – One who pervades everything, Dakshinamurtaye Namah – Salutation to Lord Dakshinamurthy
The one whose form may seem separately as a God (Eshwara), Guru, and Atma – but is actually all the same, O the one who pervades the entire universe, I bow to you, Lord Dakshinamurthy
End of Dhyana Section
Main Dakshinamurti Stotram
विश्वं दर्पणदृश्यमाननगरीतुल्यं निजान्तर्गतं
पश्यन्नात्मनि मायया बहिरिवोद्भूतं यथा निद्रया ।
यः साक्षात्कुरुते प्रबोधसमये स्वात्मानमेवाद्वयं
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥१॥
Vishwam – world (refers to the entire creation), Darpana – Mirror, Drishyaman – Being seen, Nagari – City, Tulyaman – similar to (equivalent of), Nij – Oneself, Antargatam – abiding within, Pashyan – Seen, Aatmani – Within oneself, Mayaya – Due to Maya, Bahiri – Outside, Iv – As Though, Udruth – Arises, Yatha – Just Like, Nidraya – In Sleep (In this context dream), Yah – The one who, Sakshat – Directly, Kuruthe – Gets it / Understands, Prabodha Samaye – At the time of waking up, Svatmanam – One’s own self, Evam – Alone, Advayam – Non Dual, Dakshinamurtaye Namah – Salutation to Lord Dakshinamurthy
Vishwam Darpana Drishyamana Nagari, Tulyam NijAntargatam
Pashyan Aatmani MayayaBahir IvUdruth Bhuthay Yatha Nidrayaa
Yah Sakshaat Kuruthe Prabodha Samaye, Swatmanam Evam Advayam
Tasmai Sri Guru Murthaye Nama Idam Sri Dakshinamurthaye (1)
Experiencing the world is consciousness. The entire world is similar to a city which is being seen in a mirror but it is located within oneself. The experience conveyed through the senses is actually chopped up in parts. Some part is seen, some part is heard. But you don’t experience it categorically. The mind is so powerful that it creates ONE seamless experience. This one seamless experience is illusion. It is called Maya. Upon enlightenment you wake up. You come out of worldly life. Everything you experience is yourself only and nothing else. It is all CONSCIOUSNESS
बीजस्याऽन्तरिवाङ्कुरो जगदिदं प्राङ्गनिर्विकल्पं पुनः
मायाकल्पितदेशकालकलना वैचित्र्यचित्रीकृतम् ।
मायावीव विजृम्भयत्यपि महायोगीव यः स्वेच्छया
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥२॥
Beej – Seed, Ant – Inside, Vangkuro – Sprout, Jagat – World, Prang – At First, before,Nirvikalpa – Without any qualities/ Undifferentiated, Punaha -Then / Again, Maya – Creative capacity, Kalpitha – Projected, Desh – Space, Kal – Time, Kalana – Causing / Giving Rise, Vaichitra – Many Colours, Chitrakritham – Painted, Mayavi – Magician, Vijrumbhayathi – One who expands (Vijrumbhan means yawing, expanding), Api – Indeed, Mahayogi – One who is endowed with unusual power and capacities, Yah – The one who, Sva – Own, Echhaya – Desire (Sankalpa),
Beejasya Aantari Vangkuro Jagadidham, Prang-nirvikalpam Punaha
Maya Kalpitha Desha Kala Kalanaan, Vaichitra Chitra Krutham
Maya Veeva VijrumbhyathyApi Mahayogiva Yah SwEchhaya
Tasmai Sri Guru Murthaye Nama Idam Sri Dakshinamurthaye (2)
Creation & creator is Ishwara. Before the creation the world was undifferentiated. But just as a sprout comes from a seed the world has come forth. This world was painted using many colours by giving rise to time and space. How did this happen – the world was projected by the creative capacity of Ishwara. Thru his own sankalpa or desire like a magician Dakshinamurthy causes the expansion of the universe. How does he do it – this is a Maya.
यस्यैव स्फुरणं सदात्मकमसत्कल्पार्थकं भासते
साक्षात्तत्त्वमसीति वेदवचसा यो बोधयत्याश्रितान् ।
यत्साक्षात्करणाद्भवेन्न पुनरावृत्तिर्भवाम्भोनिधौ
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥३॥
Yasya – Whose, Aiva – Indeed, Sphuranam – Light / Pulsation ( refers to capacity of creation), Sath – True, Aatmakam – Real, Kalparthaka – As Though, Bhasathe – Appears, Sakshat – Directly , immediately, Tat Tvam Asi – That you are, Veda Vachasa – Through the teachings of the Veda, Yo – The one who, Bodhyathi – Teacher who makes you discover, Aashrithaan – Who sought refuge, Yath – When, Sakshatkaran – Immediate Recognition, Bhaveth – Suppose, Punah – Again, Aavritti – Return (rebirth), Bhav – worldly life, Ambhas – Water, Nidhi – Vast
Yasyaiva Sphuranam Sadatmakam, Asath Kalparthakam Bhaasathe
Saakshaat Tat Tvam Asi Iti Veda Vachasa, Yo Bodhyathi Aashrithaan
Yath SakshaathkaranAad Bhaveth, Na Punah Aavrutti Bhaavam Bho Nidhau
Tasmai Sri Guru Murthaye Nama Idam Sri Dakshinamurthaye (3)
You are non – separate from the God. Whose (Ishwara’s) pulsating energy is indeed real – but it appears unreal. Sri Dakshinamurthy is the one who leads you to discover “You are that” through the teachings of the Vedas, to those who seek his refuge. When you understand this Sakshatkaran (Immediate recognition) then there is no rebirth into the vast ocean of worldly life – the ocean of suffering.
नानाच्छिद्रघटोदरस्थितमहादीपप्रभा भास्वरं
ज्ञानं यस्य तु चक्षुरादिकरणद्वारा वहिः स्पन्दते ।
जानामीति तमेव भान्तमनुभात्येतत्समस्तं जगत्
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥४॥
Nana – Many, Chidra – Holes, pierced, Ghat – Pot, Udar – Belly, Stith – Placed, Mahadeep – Great Lamp (Refers to Consciousness), Prabha – Light, Bhaswaram – Shining, Jnan – Consciousness, Yasya – For whom, Chakshur – Eyes, Aadi – Etc, Karana – Sense Organs, Dwara – By means of, Bahi – Outside, Spandate – Throbs, Streams out, Janame – I Know, Iti – Thus, Tam – That, Evam – Alone, Bhrantha – Shines, Anubhuti – Shines after, reflects, Etat – This, Samastha – Entire, Jagath – World.
Nana Chiddhra Ghatodhara Sthitha Mahadeepa Prabha Bhaswaram
Gnanam Yasya Tu ChakshurAadi Karana Dwara Bahi Spandate
Jnaname Iti Tameva Bhantham, Anubhaath YeTath Samastham Jagath
Tasmai Sri Guru Murthaye Nama Idam Sri Dakshinamurthaye (4)
Consciousness alone shines. The light of consciousness is like the lamp placed in the belly of the pot. The pot is pierced with many holes. The light constantly streams out of the pot – but it illuminates an object only when the object is in the path of the light. This light of consciousness (Maha Deep) is present behind every thought in everyone. This consciousness streams out through all our sense organs making it available for perception and is always connected to the supreme Guru. This salutation is unto that consciousness – that alone shines and illuminates the cosmos, who is in the form of Guru as well as in the form of Dakshinamurthy
देहं प्राणमपीन्द्रियाण्यपि चलां बुद्धिं च शून्यं विदुः
स्त्रीबालान्धजडोपमास्त्वहमिति भ्रान्ता भृशं वादिनः ।
मायाशक्तिविलासकल्पितमहाव्यामोहसंहारिणे
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥५॥
Deham – Body, Prana – Life Force, Energy, Api – Also, Indriyani – Senses, Chalan – Active, Buddhi – Intellect (Mind), Cha – Also, Shunya – Non Existence, Vidhuh – They know, Stree – Woman, Bala – Children, Andha – Blind, Jad – Dull, Upama – Similar, Bhrantha – Deluded, Bhrunsha – All the time, Vadinaha – Anyone having opinion, Maya – Ignorance, Shakti – Power / Capacity, Vilasa – Play, Kalpitha – Projected, Maha – Great, Vyamoh – Complete Delusion, Samharine – Removes
Deham Praanamapi Indriyanyapi Chalaam, Buddhim Cha Shunyam Vidhuhu
Stri Balaandha Jado Upama Sthvam Iti , Bhrantha Bhrunhsa Vadinaha
Maya Shakthi Vilasa Kalpitha Maha, Vyamoha Samharine
Tasmai Sri Guru Murthaye Nama Idam Sri Dakshinamurthaye (5)
There are confused philosophers and each has an opinion about the self. They claim what they know is the absolute truth. Some say “I am the body”, others “I am the life force” , while still others claim “ I am the senses”. Many others say “ I am the active intellect” , while others claim “I am non-existence”. These people are blind and childish, they are narrow minded philosophers. These people are stupid and can’t think properly. All these people are not just deluded, but they have a strong opinion which they share or teach to others. These confusing thoughts get played with, get disturbed and jumbled and is projected in our lives. The impact of this confusion is so strong that we wrongly conclude that body is real and Atma is not. Sri Dakshinamurty removes this delusion from our minds.
राहुग्रस्तदिवाकरेन्दुसदृशो मायासमाच्छादनात्
सन्मात्रः करणोपसंहरणतो योऽभूत्सुषुप्तः पुमान् ।
प्रागस्वाप्समिति प्रबोधसमये यः प्रत्यभिज्ञायते
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥६॥
Rahu – Planet, Grastha– Grasped, Divakara – Sun, Indru – Moon, Sadashah– Just like, Maya – Ignorance, Samacchadanath – Completely covered, Sanmatra – Pure Existence, Karana – Sense Organs, Upsamharanathah – Because of withdrawal, Yo – The one who, Abhut – remains, Sushuptah – Deep sleep, Puman – Person, Prang – Before, Avapsam – I Slept, Iti – Thus, Prabodha Samaye – At the time of waking up, Yah – the one who, Prathyabhigyayathe – Recognises
Rahu Grastha Divakarendru Sadrushaha, Maya Samaachhadanath
Sanmatrah Karanopa Upsamharanathah, Yo Abhuth Sushupthah Pumaan
Prang Avapsam Iti Samithi Praboodha Samaye, Yah Prathyabhigyayathe
Tasmai Sri Guru Murthaye Nama Idam Sri Dakshinamurthaye (6)
Consciousness is present in deep sleep. This verse describes the state of mind in deep sleep. When you can’t see the sun or a moon during an eclipse that doesn’t imply they are not shining. In deep sleep when the senses are fully withdrawn there is total eclipse – absolute darkness of the mind, yet the shining / illumination of the mind continues. The one who is aware and recognises on waking up that even in deep sleep his consciousness was awake, the one who remains as pure Consciousness in deep sleep – to Him I offer my salutations.
बाल्यादिष्वपि जाग्रदादिषु तथा सर्वास्ववस्थास्वपि
व्यावृत्तास्वनुवर्तमानमहमित्यन्तः स्फुरन्तं सदा ।
स्वात्मानं प्रकटीकरोति भजतां यो मुद्रयाभद्रया
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥७॥
Baalyadishu – Childhood, Api – Also, Jagrad – Waking state, Aadishu – Etc, Sarvasu – In all, Avasthasu – States of experience, Vyavrithasu – In all different states of experience, Anuvartamanah – Persists, always present, Aham – I, Iti – Thus, Anthasphurantham – Shining Within, Sada – Continually. Svatmanam – Own Self, Prakatikarothi – Reveal , to make evident, Bhajantham – devoted, Yo – The one who, Mudra – Symbol, Bhadra – Auspicious
BaalyaadishuvApi JagradAadishu Tatha, SarvaassvAvavasthSwApi
Vyavrithasu Anuvartamanah Aham Iti Anthasphurantham Sada
Swatmanaam Prakatikarothi Bhajathaam, Yo Mudrayaa Bhadrayaa
Tasmai Sri Guru Murthaye Nama Idam Sri Dakshinamurthaye (7)
You are Consciousness. There are various states of experience – Waking, dream, deep sleep etc. There are other experiences throughout life from childhood, youth to adulthood. The One who knows your mind now and when you were one month old is the same. Body is not the same, mind is not the same. But the Consciousness by which your one month old experience was known and the Consciousness by which todays experience is known, is exactly the same. In all these states there is something shining within that is always present. This Consciousness which is the real YOU persists through all stages – Pre natal, childhood, youth, adult and in all states of mind – waking, dreaming, deep sleep – how do we come to understand this?
You don’t need anyone to tell you that you are a conscious being. Your consciousness is self-established. It is self-revealing. That you exists is self-evident. It is not arrived at logically. It is not the product of thinking. It is the fundamental TRUTH of who you are. Therefore your Consciousness reveals itself. Your Consciousness is identical with the Reality. This TRUTH is revealed to those who are devoted to the Guru, to Vedantic teachings, to the life of Spiritual growth . This teaching is revealed by means of an auspicious symbol through Chinmudra. I salute the One who reveals His own true nature as conscious being and as non-separate from the absolute Reality.
विश्वं पश्यति कार्यकारणतया स्वस्वामिसम्बन्धतः
शिष्याचार्यतया तथैव पितृपुत्राद्यात्मना भेदतः ।
स्वप्ने जाग्रति वा य एष पुरुषो मायापरिभ्रामितः
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥८॥
Vishwam – World, Pashayti – See, Karya – Effect, Karan – Cause, Sva- Own, Swami – Master, Sambandataha – Connection, Shishya – Student, Acharya – Teacher, Tathaiva – And, Also, Pitru – father, Putra – Son, Aadi – Etc, Aatmana – As oneself, Bhadeth – Differently, Swapne – Dreaming, Jagrithi – Awake, Esh Purusha – That Person, Maya – Creative capacity, Paribhramithah – All projected
Vishwam Pashyati Kaarya Karana Thaya, Swaswami Sambandataha
SishyaAcharya-thaya Tathaiva, PithruPuthra AadiAatmana Bhedataha
Swapne Jagrathi Va Ya Yesha Purushaha, Maya Paribhramitaha
Tasmai Sri Guru Murthaye Nama Idam Sri Dakshinamurthaye (8)
Vision of Brahma Janani. Shankara continues to describe Dakshinamurthy as the source of all knowledge. Dakshinamurty is described as one who sees the world in a particular way. What distinguishes an enlightened person is their world view or vision. How they see the world around them, how they relate to the world, how they see other people, how they see themselves. An enlightened person sees all the differences in the world as one’s own self. This is the highest teaching of Vedanta. Such a person sees all these differences (cause & effect, teacher – student, father & son) while awake and while dreaming. It is projected by Maya. The one who is Brahma Jnani, who sees the oneness of all, unto that this salutation. Who is in the form of my Guru as well as in the form of Sri Dakshinamurthi.
भूरम्भांस्यनलोऽनिलोऽम्बरमहर्नाथो हिमांशु पुमान्
इत्याभाति चराचरात्मकमिदं यस्यैव मूर्त्यष्टकम्
नान्यत् किञ्चन विद्यते विमृशतां यस्मात्परस्माद्विभोः
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥९॥
Bhu– Earth, Ambhansi – Water, Anal – Fire, Anil – Air & Wind, Ambaram – Space, Nath – Master, Himanshu – Moon, Puman – Person (Consciousness in this context), Iti – Thus, Abhathi – Appears, Char – That moves, Achar – That does not move, Ida – This, Murthi – Form, Ashtakam – Eight Fold, Na – No, Anyath – Nothing, Kinchan – Else, Vidhyathe – Exists, Vimrushatham – Those who understand, Yasmath – Other than that, Parasmath – Supreme , Vibhu – All pervasive being
Bhurambhamsya Analo AniloAmbaram Natho Himanshu Pumaan
IthyAbhaathi CharAcharathMakam Idham, Yasya Eva Murthi Ashtakam
NaAnyath Kinchana Vidyathe Vimrushathaam, Yasmath Parasmath Vibho
Tasmai Sri Guru Murthaye Nama Idam Sri Dakshinamurthaye (9)
There is only BRAHMAN. This verse describes Dakshinamurthy as Brahman. In 8 fold form – these include 5 elements, the Sun, Moon and Consciousness. Everything in the cosmos is included in this 8 fold representation. So this is absolute, fully encompassing. The 8fold form includes all the forms that move and don’t move. Other than that supreme pervasive being nothing else exists. This is understood by those who are wise, who can discern the Truth.
To that Brahman who is manifested as Ashtaka Murthi , and to the one who recognises it, I salute, who is in the form of my Guru as well as in the form of Dakshinamurthy.
Phala Shruthi – Benefit of Study
सर्वात्मत्वमिति स्फुटीकृतमिदं यस्मादमुष्मिन् स्तवे
तेनास्य श्रवणात्तदर्थमननाद्ध्यानाच्च संकीर्तनात् ।
सर्वात्मत्वमहाविभूतिसहितं स्यादीश्वरत्वं स्वतः
सिद्ध्येत्तत्पुनरष्टधा परिणतं चैश्वर्यमव्याहतम् ॥१०॥
This is probably added to the text later and is not written by Adi Shankara. The structure of this hymn is different from the preceding nine. An enlightened soul does not need to study this text. Those struggling with worldly affairs and who want enlightenment are the target audience. So these 8 Powers have tremendous value to such people. But then we recognise however powerful we become in worldly life we will never be happy, you will be incomplete. So in a way this Phala Shruti is like an advertisement bait and switch. It advertises something to get you started but once you start the result is different and even more satisfying.
Sarvaatmathvam – Brahman (State of being the SELF of all), Iti – Thus, Sphurtikritam – Made Clear, Yasmath – Because, Amushmin – In This, Sthave – Praise, Then – By That, Asya – Of this, Shravanaath – Listening, Tat – That, Artha – Meaning, Mananaat – Intellectual Enquiry, Dhyaan – Meditation, Sankeertanath – Recitation or Teaching, Sarvaatmathvam – Brahman (State of being the SELF of all), Mahavibhuti – Great glory, Sahitam – Along with, Syath – What would come, Ishvaratvam – State of being Ishvara, Swataha – Your own, Sidhyeth – Create, Tatpunah – Then Again, Ashtadha – Eight fold, Parinatha – Transformation, Blessings, Powers, Cha – And, Aishwarya – Lordship, Avyyahatham – Without any impediments.
Sarvaathmathvam Iti Sphurtikritam Idham, Yasmad Amushmim Sthave
ThenAsya Shravanaath TadArtha Mananaad Dhyanaascha Samkeertanath
Sarvaathmathvam Maha Vibhuthi Sahitam Syadhe, Ishwaratvam Swataha
Siddhyeth Tatpunah Ashtadha ParinathamCha Aishwaryam Avyahatham (10)
Benefit of Study – This verse is a praise of the Hymn. In this Hymn the state of being the Self of all (Sarvaatmathvam) is thus made clear. It is made clear in this hymn that through Shravana, Manana, Dhyana and Sankirtana one can gain Sarvaatmatvam. Shravana helps you discover the facts, Manana removes any doubts, Nidhidhyasana allows you to assimilate that reality.
Because of what is revealed in this hymn and with your efforts you can discover your own state of being – Ishwara. Your non separation from Ishwara. Not only will you gain Ishvaratam but along with that you will get great glory – this great glory is Sarvaathmathvam. The Consciousness that you are, is the same Consciousness because of which the universe exists. And this teaching creates eightfold blessings and lordship without impediments. The eight fold blessings are the Ashta Siddhi’s.
The whole teaching of Vedanta is present in this Dakshinamurthy hymn. Because the self’s all-pervasiveness is clearly revealed in this hymn, by listening to it, reflecting upon it, meditating on its meaning, and reciting it – one can gain enlightenment effortlessly and without impediments, with its great glory of being the self of all with eightfold blessings – which refers to the Ashta Siddhi
- Anima – Ability to shrink infinitely small
- Mahima – Ability to expand infinitely large
- Garima – Capacity to become extraordinarily heavy
- Laghima – Power to become incredibly light
- Prapti – Ability of translocation, instantaneously appear wherever you want
- Prakamya – Ability to fulfil your desires
- Ishitva – Sovereignity, ability to be utterly free so no one has control over you
- Vashitva – Ability to have control over everyone else
Story Associated with Dakshinamurty Stotram
There is a story associated with Dakshinamurti Stotram. Lord Brahma had four manas putra (mind born sons). Their names were – Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanatsujata. These four sons of Brahma were unusually precocious. At a young age they wanted to pursue spiritual wisdom. So they left their father behind. Apparently the search went on for very long time. When they found their Guru, they were old. They literally searched for lifetime.
They finally went to mount Kailash to meet Lord Shiva. He appears as a young teacher. He sits at the foot of Banyan tree. These elderly shishyas sits near him. He proceeds to teach them in silence.
This is symbolic. The four disciples represent each of the four Vedas It also points out the fact that Vedas are Apaurusheya – not created by human being. God is the source of knowledge that constitutes Veda.
Full Stotram Chanted to perfection
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