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The magnificent edifice of Dakshinamurthy, in the temple of Srikalahasteeswara in Andhra Pradesh, considered as an embodiment of the Isavasyopanishad itself, exquisitely depicts the core Upanishadic substance "ब्रह्मसत्यम् Brahma Satyam" of the shanti patha of Isavasyopanishad. It stands as a testimony of expertise of the sculptors, both in agama sastras (required for temple construction) and the tattvasastras (knowledge of philosophy).

The magnificent edifice of Dakshinamurthy, in the temple of Srikalahasteeswara in Andhra Pradesh, considered as an embodiment of the Isavasyopanishad itself, exquisitely depicts the core Upanishadic substance "ब्रह्मसत्यम् Brahma Satyam" of the shanti patha of Isavasyopanishad. It stands as a testimony of expertise of the sculptors, both in agama sastras (required for temple construction) and the tattvasastras (knowledge of philosophy). The present article is an excerpt from the book Isavasyopanishad - Satyavrata Bhaskara Kshetram.  

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

No other divine form can better represent the attributes of Satyam (Universal Truth), Jnanam (Knowledge of the Supreme Brahman), Anantam (Boundless), and the qualities of Namelessness, Formlessness and Immovability as does 'Dakshinamoorthy' who is the very personification of the supreme entity. Dakshinamurthy portrays the Supreme knowledge, which is Avaangmangochara or describable neither by words nor by intellect, by "Jnanamudra"- symbolic representation of perfection in Silence - the 'Oneness' of the Jeevatma (Self) and Paramatma.<blockquote>चित्रं वटतरोर्मूले वृद्धाः शिष्या गुरुर्युवा।</blockquote><blockquote>गुरोस्तु मौनं व्याख्यानं शिष्यास्तुच्छिन्नसंशयाः॥ (Daks. Stot. 3)</blockquote><blockquote>chitram vatatarormule, vriddhaa sishyaa gururrurva,</blockquote><blockquote>gurostu mounam vakyaanam shishyaastuchinna samsayah || '''TRANSLITERATION'''</blockquote>Dakshinamurthy expounds and awakens the Supreme Knowledge, within the mind of a ripe aged seeker of Truth with a head full of doubts, arguments, debates and logics, in a strange way, by the use of 'Chinmudra' and ‘Mounam’ (Silence or Calmness of thoughts and Mind).

No other divine form can better represent the attributes of Satyam (Universal Truth), Jnanam (Knowledge of the Supreme Brahman), Anantam (Boundless), and the qualities of Namelessness, Formlessness and Immovability as does 'Dakshinamurthy' who is the very personification of the supreme entity. Dakshinamurthy portrays the Supreme knowledge, which is अवाङ्गमनगोचरः ॥ Avaangmangochara or describable neither by words nor by intellect, by ज्ञानमुद्रा ॥ Jnanamudra - symbolic representation of perfection in Silence - the 'Oneness' of the Jeevatma (Self) and Paramatma.<blockquote>चित्रं वटतरोर्मूले वृद्धाः शिष्या गुरुर्युवा।</blockquote><blockquote>गुरोस्तु मौनं व्याख्यानं शिष्यास्तुच्छिन्नसंशयाः॥ (Daks. Stot. 3)</blockquote><blockquote>chitram vatatarormule, vriddhaa sishyaa gururrurva,</blockquote><blockquote>gurostu mounam vakyaanam shishyaastuchinna samsayah || '''TRANSLITERATION'''</blockquote>Dakshinamurthy expounds and awakens the Supreme Knowledge, within the mind of a ripe aged seeker of Truth with a head full of doubts, arguments, debates and logics, in a strange way, by the use of 'Chinmudra' and ‘Mounam’ (Silence or Calmness of thoughts and Mind).

== मौनव्याख्या  Mounavyakhya ==

== मौनव्याख्या ॥ Mounavyakhya ==

Dakshinamoorthy’s Supreme form consists of ‘teaching or conversing’ through the medium of Silence, as seen in the ‘poornamadah poornamidam’ form of the mantram. This knowledge is also attainable by the ordinary seekers. All actions or deeds of a man are for the pursuit of truth. When a brahmavidya seeker perseveres, without being overcome by other distractions, with consistent effort, determination, motivation, and enthusiasm and by exercising control of the mind and thereby the senses, delving deep into self, with faith driving the one pointed urge to attain the Supreme Self - then the Parabrahma pervading inside us silently expounds the Brahmatattva and it is revealed to the Brahmajignasu.  

Dakshinamoorthy’s Supreme form consists of ‘teaching or conversing’ through the medium of Silence, as seen in the ‘poornamadah poornamidam’ form of the mantram. This knowledge is also attainable by the ordinary seekers. All actions or deeds of a man are for the pursuit of truth. When a brahmavidya seeker perseveres, without being overcome by other distractions, with consistent effort, determination, motivation, and enthusiasm and by exercising control of the mind and thereby the senses, delving deep into self, with faith driving the one pointed urge to attain the Supreme Self - then the Parabrahma pervading inside us silently expounds the Brahmatattva and it is revealed to the ब्रह्म ज्ञ ॥ Brahmajignasu.  

== चिन्मुद्र Chinmudra ==

== चिन्मुद्र ॥ Chinmudra ==

Chinmudra or Jnanamudra is a hand gesture, used during meditation, where the thumb linked to the index finger is symbolic of the 'Unity of Jeevaatma and Parabrahma', a concept also expounded by the mahavakya “Tat Tvam Asi”. Shri Shankaracharya in his “Vedanta Dindima” treatise refers to Dakshinamurthy as the Parabrahma having the quality of “Para” tattva. The proclamation of Vedanta Dindima - “Advaita or That One which has no second” is nothing but that brilliant radiance named as Dakshinamurthy.  

Chinmudra or Jnanamudra is a hand gesture, used during meditation, where the thumb linked to the index finger is symbolic of the 'Unity of Jeevaatma and Parabrahma', a concept also expounded by the mahavakya “Tat Tvam Asi”. Shri Shankaracharya in his “Vedanta Dindima” treatise refers to Dakshinamurthy as the Parabrahma having the quality of “Para” tattva. The proclamation of Vedanta Dindima - “Advaita or That One which has no second” is nothing but that brilliant radiance named as Dakshinamurthy.  

== दक्षिणामुर्ति स्तोत्रम् Dakshinamurthy Stotram ==

== दक्षिणामुर्ति स्तोत्रम् ॥ Dakshinamurthy Stotram ==

Srikalahasteeswara (Shiva) in the form of  Dakshinamoorthy, preached the Advaita philosophy to the three Munis namely, Suka, Sanatkumara and Parashara. The Dakshinamurthy Stotramala composed by Sri Shankaraacharya as an exquisite Mantra extols the grand secrets of the Upanishads, a brilliant literary effort, which not only determines the Jagat swaroopam (nature of the Universe) and clarifies the universality of the Atma but also bestows on the seekers of material wealth (Jagat Bhavana) as well the spiritual knowledge seeker (Brahma Bhavana) alike with all prosperity. The Dakshinamurthy stotram has ten verses two of which are given below.<blockquote>मौनव्याख्या प्रकटित परब्रह्मतत्त्वं युवानं</blockquote><blockquote>वर्षिष्ठांते वसद् ऋषिगणैः आवृतं ब्रह्मनिष्ठैः ।</blockquote><blockquote>आचार्येन्द्रं करकलित चिन्मुद्रमानंदमूर्तिं</blockquote><blockquote>स्वात्मारामं मुदितवदनं दक्षिणामूर्तिमीडे ॥1॥</blockquote><blockquote>वटविटपिसमीपेभूमिभागे निषण्णं</blockquote><blockquote>सकलमुनिजनानां ज्ञानदातारमारात् ।</blockquote><blockquote>त्रिभुवनगुरुमीशं दक्षिणामूर्तिदेवं</blockquote><blockquote>जननमरणदुःखच्छेद दक्षं नमामि ॥2॥</blockquote><blockquote>'''TRANSLITERATION'''</blockquote>

Srikalahasteeswara (Shiva) in the form of  Dakshinamoorthy, preached the Advaita philosophy to the three Munis namely, Suka, Sanatkumara and Parashara. The Dakshinamurthy Stotramala composed by Sri Shankaraacharya as an exquisite Mantra extols the grand secrets of the Upanishads, a brilliant literary effort, which not only determines the Jagat swaroopam (nature of the Universe) and clarifies the universality of the Atma but also bestows on the seekers of material wealth (Jagat Bhavana) as well the spiritual knowledge seeker (Brahma Bhavana) alike with all prosperity. The Dakshinamurthy stotram has ten verses two of which are given below.<blockquote>मौनव्याख्या प्रकटित परब्रह्मतत्त्वं युवानं</blockquote><blockquote>वर्षिष्ठांते वसद् ऋषिगणैः आवृतं ब्रह्मनिष्ठैः ।</blockquote><blockquote>आचार्येन्द्रं करकलित चिन्मुद्रमानंदमूर्तिं</blockquote><blockquote>स्वात्मारामं मुदितवदनं दक्षिणामूर्तिमीडे ॥1॥</blockquote><blockquote>वटविटपिसमीपेभूमिभागे निषण्णं</blockquote><blockquote>सकलमुनिजनानां ज्ञानदातारमारात् ।</blockquote><blockquote>त्रिभुवनगुरुमीशं दक्षिणामूर्तिदेवं</blockquote><blockquote>जननमरणदुःखच्छेद दक्षं नमामि ॥2॥</blockquote><blockquote>'''TRANSLITERATION'''</blockquote>

== इशावास्योपनिशदः प्रथम मन्त्रम् || First Mantra of Ishavasyopanishad ==

== इशावास्योपनिशदः प्रथम मन्त्रम् ॥ First Mantra of Ishavasyopanishad ==

Srikalahasteeswara, the foremost master, Guru of the entire world, who eradicates the afflictions and all ailments of the worldly, the master of all learning, resides in the Srikalahasti temple with the Nandi (Bull) facing the divine form of Dakshinamurthy. A silent and devoted prayer offered here dispels all doubts in the mind. The circumbulation or pradakshina of the divinity begins from here and ends here.<blockquote>ईशा वास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् ।</blockquote><blockquote>तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्यस्विद्धनम् ॥ (Isav. Upan. 1)</blockquote><blockquote>'''TRANSLITERATION'''</blockquote>By the Divine is encompassed all this, whatever changing there is in this changing (world). Through the renunciation of that (world) mayest thou enjoy; covetest thou not anyone’s riches.  

Srikalahasteeswara, the foremost master, Guru of the entire world, who eradicates the afflictions and all ailments of the worldly, the master of all learning, resides in the Srikalahasti temple with the Nandi (Bull) facing the divine form of Dakshinamurthy. A silent and devoted prayer offered here dispels all doubts in the mind. The circumbulation or pradakshina of the divinity begins from here and ends here.<blockquote>ईशा वास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् ।</blockquote><blockquote>तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्यस्विद्धनम् ॥ (Isav. Upan. 1)</blockquote><blockquote>'''TRANSLITERATION'''</blockquote>By the Divine is encompassed all this, whatever changing there is in this changing (world). Through the renunciation of that (world) mayest thou enjoy; covetest thou not anyone’s riches.  

This Upanishad expounds that the goal of every being is to ‘see or know’ the Supreme Truth of Oneness of that all-pervading Paramatma, who by Maya manifests into various forms (manifestations) in this Jagat.

This Upanishad expounds that the goal of every being is to ‘see or know’ the Supreme Truth of Oneness of that all-pervading Paramatma, who by Maya manifests into various forms (manifestations) in this Jagat.

== इशावास्योपनिशद्भगवद्गीता साम्यम् || Isavasopanishad and Bhagavadgeeta ==

== इशावास्योपनिशद्भगवद्गीता साम्यम् ॥ Isavasopanishad and Bhagavadgeeta ==

<blockquote>अविनाशि तु तद्विद्धि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् | विनाशमव्ययस्यास्य न कश्चित्कर्तुमर्हति || (Bhag. Gita 2.17)</blockquote><blockquote>avināśhi tu tadviddhi yena sarvam idaṁ tatam | vināśham avyayasyāsya na kaśhchit kartum arhati || (Bhag. Gita 2.17)</blockquote>Meaning: Know that the soul is indestructible...<blockquote>बहूनां जन्मनामन्ते ज्ञानवान्मां प्रपद्यते | वासुदेव: सर्वमिति स महात्मा सुदुर्लभ: || (Bhag.Gita 7.19)</blockquote><blockquote>bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate | vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ || (Bhag.Gita 7.19)</blockquote>Meaning : After many births of spiritual practice, one who is endowed with knowledge attains me, knowing that Vasudeva is Everything. Such a soul is indeed rare.<blockquote>पुरुष: स पर: पार्थ भक्त्या लभ्यस्त्वनन्यया | यस्यान्त:स्थानि भूतानि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् || (Bhag. Gita. 8. 22)</blockquote><blockquote>puruṣhaḥ sa paraḥ pārtha bhaktyā labhyas tvananyayā | yasyāntaḥ-sthāni bhūtāni yena sarvam idaṁ tatam || (Bhag. Gita. 8. 22)</blockquote>Meaning: Oh Partha ! Paramapurusha is greater than all that exists. Although he is all-pervading or the inner being of all creatures and in whom all the living beings are situated, he can be attained only through devotion and not by any other means.

<blockquote>अविनाशि तु तद्विद्धि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् | विनाशमव्ययस्यास्य न कश्चित्कर्तुमर्हति || (Bhag. Gita 2.17)</blockquote><blockquote>avināśhi tu tadviddhi yena sarvam idaṁ tatam | vināśham avyayasyāsya na kaśhchit kartum arhati || (Bhag. Gita 2.17)</blockquote>Meaning: Know that the soul is indestructible...<blockquote>बहूनां जन्मनामन्ते ज्ञानवान्मां प्रपद्यते | वासुदेव: सर्वमिति स महात्मा सुदुर्लभ: || (Bhag.Gita 7.19)</blockquote><blockquote>bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate | vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ || (Bhag.Gita 7.19)</blockquote>Meaning : After many births of spiritual practice, one who is endowed with knowledge attains me, knowing that Vasudeva is Everything. Such a soul is indeed rare.<blockquote>पुरुष: स पर: पार्थ भक्त्या लभ्यस्त्वनन्यया | यस्यान्त:स्थानि भूतानि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् || (Bhag. Gita. 8. 22)</blockquote><blockquote>puruṣhaḥ sa paraḥ pārtha bhaktyā labhyas tvananyayā | yasyāntaḥ-sthāni bhūtāni yena sarvam idaṁ tatam || (Bhag. Gita. 8. 22)</blockquote>Meaning: Oh Partha ! Paramapurusha is greater than all that exists. Although he is all-pervading or the inner being of all creatures and in whom all the living beings are situated, he can be attained only through devotion and not by any other means.