Lord Dakshinamurthy Idol / Murti

Lord Dakshinamurthy is a powerful Avatar of the Hindu God Shiva, who appears as a Guru (teacher) to guide one on the right path. This divine form of Lord Shiva is the personification of all types of knowledge and symbolizes awareness, understanding and wisdom. Dakshinamurthy, in the Hindu system of beliefs is regarded as the ultimate Guru - the embodiment of knowledge and the personification of ignorance (as represented by, the demon being crushed under the feet of the deity). The Jnana Mudra is interpreted in this way:- The thumb denotes the God and the index finger denotes the man. The other three fingers stand for the three congenital impurities of man viz. arrogance, illusion and bad deeds of the past births. When man detaches himself from these impurities, he reaches God. Another interpretation is that the other three fingers denote the three states of life: Jagruti (Fully awake through senses and mind), Swapna (Sleep state - When the mind is awake) and Sushupti (True-self - When the senses and mind go into soul - Atma). The Abhaya Mudra, a gesture with the hand lifted above thigh with palm facing out, fingers pointing, is interpreted as His grace upon His students.

Design: Made in heavy shining brass.

Brass is well known for its grasping capacity. It grasps the divine spirit upto 30%, when compared to other metals. The spiritual vibrations are attracted towards these shining idols easily.

Dimensions: 6 inches (H) x 4 inches (W)

Weight: 1.1 kgs

Importance of Idol worship: Idols are not the idle fancies of sculptors,but shining channels through which the heart of the devotee is attracted to and flows towards God. Though the image is worshipped,the devotee feels the presence of the Lord in it and pours out his devotion unto it.Regular worship,Puja and other modes of demonstrating our inner feeling of recognition of Divinity in the idol unveils the Divinity latent in it.This is truly a wonder and a miracle.The picture comes to life.The idol speaks.It will answer your questions and solve your problems.The God in you has the power to awaken the latent Divinity in the idol.The lives of Mirabai, Sant Tukaram,Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Shri Yogananda are a few instances to prove the point.They proved beyond doubt that idol worship has its own brighter side and through simple faith and intense devotion one can realize God through it. Idols are the "finite representation of the Infinite".As per Vishnu Samhita (ch 29, v 55-7), persuasively endorses the use of imagery (idols) and puts it: "Without a form how can God be mediated upon? If (He is) without any form,where will the mind fix itself? When there is nothing for the mind to attach itself to,it will slip away from meditation or will glide into a state of slumber.Therefore the wise will meditate on some form, remembering,however,that the form is a superimposition and not a reality."

Advance Information*

Lord Dakshinamurthy Idol / Murti

Lord Dakshinamurthy is a powerful Avatar of the Hindu God Shiva, who appears as a Guru (teacher) to guide one on the right path. This divine form of Lord Shiva is the personification of all types of knowledge and symbolizes awareness, understanding, and wisdom. The idol captures the essence of this benevolent deity, serving not only as a piece of art but also as a spiritual beacon in homes, temples, and sacred spaces.

Dimensions and Weight

• Height: 6 inches
• Width: 4 inches
• Weight: 1.1 kgs

These dimensions and weight make the idol a substantial yet manageable piece for various settings, from personal altar spaces to larger shrines.

Symbolism and Significance

Lord Dakshinamurthy, in the Hindu system of beliefs, is regarded as the ultimate Guru - the embodiment of knowledge and the personification of ignorance (as represented by the demon being crushed under the feet of the deity). This contrast symbolizes the triumph of wisdom over ignorance. The idol also features various hand gestures (mudras) that deepen its symbolic significance:

• Jnana Mudra: The thumb denotes God and the index finger denotes man. The other three fingers stand for the three congenital impurities of man: arrogance, illusion, and bad deeds of past births. When man detaches himself from these impurities, he reaches God. Another interpretation is that these three fingers denote the three states of life: Jagruti (fully awake through senses and mind), Swapna (sleep state where the mind is awake), and Sushupti (true-self where the senses and mind go into the soul - Atma).
• Abhaya Mudra: This gesture, with the hand lifted above the thigh with the palm facing out and fingers pointing, signifies His grace and protection upon His students.

Material and Design

The idol is made of heavy shining brass, known for its spiritual efficacy and capacity to retain divine vibrations up to 30%, compared to other metals. Brass grasps the divine spirit and channels spiritual vibrations, making it suitable for idol construction.

• Material: Shining brass
• Design Details: Intricate detailing on the idol enhances its divine presence. Each aspect of the design serves to accentuate the various facets of Lord Dakshinamurthy's persona — from his serene facial expressions to the deliberate postures of his hands and body.

Importance of Idol Worship

Idol worship has its roots deep within Hindu traditions and serves as a vital spiritual practice. Idols are not mere artistic creations but are considered 'finite representations of the Infinite,' enabling devotees to focus their spiritual energy and devotion.

Spiritual Benefits: - Channeling Divine Energy: Idols serve as channels through which the heart of the devotee is attracted to and flows towards God. Despite being a physical form, the deity's presence is felt through regular worship, Puja, and other forms of demonstrating inner devotion. - Unveiling Divinity: Through regular worship and intense devotion, the Divinity latent in the idol gets unveiled. Historical figures like Mirabai, Sant Tukaram, Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, and Shri Yogananda have demonstrated that pure faith and devotion can indeed make idols come to life by radiating divine energy. - Guidance and Problem Solving: Devotees often find their queries answered and their problems resolved through their deep connection with the idol. An idol can thus become a spiritual guide, much like Lord Dakshinamurthy in his divine form as a teacher.

Philosophical Context: - As supported by Vishnu Samhita (ch 29, v 55-7), "Without a form, how can God be meditated upon? If (He is) without any form, where will the mind fix itself? When there is nothing for the mind to attach itself to, it will slip away from meditation or will glide into a state of slumber. Therefore the wise will meditate on some form, remembering, however, that the form is a superimposition and not a reality."

Placement and Usage

The Lord Dakshinamurthy idol can be placed in various settings, particularly where spiritual practices and meditations take place:

• Homes: Personal altars, meditation rooms, or sacred corners
• Temples: As a central figure or among other deities
• Workspaces: To inspire wisdom and guidance in intellectual endeavors
• Educational Institutions: As a symbol of knowledge and teaching

Care and Maintenance

Brass, though durable, requires regular care to maintain its shine and spiritual efficacy:

• Cleaning: Use a soft cloth to dust the idol regularly. For deeper cleaning, use a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda,