Dakshinamurti Stotram

Dakshinamurti Stotram is a sacred Sanskrit hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya, glorifying Lord Dakshinamurti, the embodiment of Shiva as the universal teacher (Jagadguru). This stotra reveals the non-dualistic (Advaita) philosophy and the supreme knowledge of the Self.

Lord Dakshinamurti is a serene form of Lord Shiva, depicted as a youthful teacher facing south (Dakshina), seated under a banyan tree, imparting silent wisdom to sages. He symbolizes the eternal guru, who destroys ignorance and reveals the supreme Self (Atman).

The Dakshinamurti Stotram, composed by Adi Shankaracharya, consists of ten verses that explore deep Vedantic truths such as:

✅ The illusion of the world (Maya)

✅ The oneness of the Self and Brahman

✅ The process of self-inquiry (Jnana Yoga)

✅ The silent transmission of wisdom

✅ It is often recited by spiritual seekers to gain insight, clarity, and inner peace.

 

विश्वं दर्पणदृश्यमाननगरीतुल्यं निजान्तर्गतं
पश्यन्नात्मनि मायया बहिरिवोद्भूतं यथा निद्रया ।
यः साक्षात्कुरुते प्रबोधसमये स्वात्मानमेवाऽद्वयं
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥ १ ॥

➡️ Meaning:
This entire world, like a city reflected in a mirror, appears external though it is within the Self.
Like objects seen in a dream that arise from one's own mind, so does this world through Maya.
To that Guru who reveals the non-dual Self at the moment of true awakening,
Salutations to Sri Dakshinamurti.

बीजस्यान्तरिवाङ्कुरो जगदिदं प्राङ्निर्विकल्पं पुनः
मायाकल्पितदेशकालकलनावैचित्र्यचित्रीकृतम् ।
मायावीव विजृम्भयत्यपि महायोगीव यः स्वेच्छया
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥ २ ॥

➡️ Meaning:
Just as the sprout lies within the seed, this world is latent in the unmanifest Brahman.
Maya, with its divisions of time and space, makes it appear varied and manifold.
He who manifests it like a magician or a great yogi by His will—
Salutations to Sri Dakshinamurti.

यस्यैव स्फुरणं सदा बहुमतिं यः प्रत्यक्षं भूतं न सः
नो चेद्यः स्मृतिपाथे सन्मतिरपि त्वं यः प्रबोधाय सः ।
प्रत्यगात्मनि यं सदा विदधते विश्वं समस्तं स्थितं
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥ ३ ॥

➡️ Meaning:
That which is self-luminous, always known, but never an object of perception—
It is not seen by the senses, but it is That which makes everything else known.
The entire world exists in that inner Self (Atman).
Salutations to Sri Dakshinamurti.

नानाच्छिद्रघटोदरस्थितमहा-दीपप्रभा भास्वरं
ज्ञानं यस्य तु चक्षुरादिकरणद्वारा बहिः स्पन्दते ।
जानामीति तमेव भान्तमनुभात्येतत्समस्तं जगत्
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥ ४ ॥

➡️ Meaning:
As light inside pots with different holes appears different, yet comes from one lamp,
So too, the One Consciousness shines through various senses and bodies.
It alone makes the whole world shine and appear.
Salutations to Sri Dakshinamurti.

देहं प्राणमपि इन्द्रियाण्यपि चलां बुद्धिं च शून्यं विदुः
स्त्रीबालान्धजडोपमास्त्वहमिति भ्रान्ता भृशं वादिनः ।
मायाशक्तिविलासकल्पितमहाव्यामोहसंहारिणे
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥ ५ ॥

➡️ Meaning:
Some thinkers wrongly identify the Self with body, breath, senses, or even void,
Like ignorant women, children, the blind, and the dull-witted.
To the Guru who destroys this great delusion caused by Maya—
Salutations to Sri Dakshinamurti.

राहुग्रस्तदिवाकरेन्दुसदृशो मायासमाच्छादनात्
सन्मात्रः करणोपसंहरणतो योऽभूत्सुषुप्तः पुमान् ।
प्रागस्वाप्समिति प्रबोधसमये यः प्रत्यभिज्ञायते
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥ ६ ॥

➡️ Meaning:
Just as the sun or moon appears obscured by Rahu,
The Self seems hidden by Maya during sleep when the senses withdraw.
But upon waking, we recall: “I slept,” realizing the Self continued.
Salutations to Sri Dakshinamurti.

बाल्यादिष्वपि जागरादिषु तथा सर्वास्ववस्थास्वपि
व्यावृत्तास्वनुवर्तमानमहमीत्यन्तः स्फुरत्येव यः ।
स्वात्मानं प्रकटीकरोति भजतां यो मुद्रया भद्रया
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥ ७ ॥

➡️ Meaning:
He who shines as the "I" in childhood, youth, waking, dream, and sleep—
And remains unchanged in all these states—
He who reveals this truth through the gesture (chinmudra) of knowledge—
Salutations to Sri Dakshinamurti.

विश्वं पश्यति कार्यकारणतया स्वस्वामीสัมพันธ์तः
शिष्याचार्यतया तथैव पितृपुत्राद्यात्मना भेदतः ।
स्वप्ने जागरि यः परीयतिनयं पश्यति मायिकं
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥ ८ ॥

➡️ Meaning:
The world appears with cause and effect, ruler and ruled, teacher and disciple,
Father and son—many dualities.
But in dream and waking, one sees it is Maya's play.
Salutations to Sri Dakshinamurti.

गुरोस्तु मौनं व्याख्यानं शिष्यास्तु चिन्तासमः
बन्धः किं पुनरुक्तये स्फुरति यः तत्त्वमस्यादिनः ॥

➡️ Meaning:
The Guru teaches through silence, and the disciple gains through deep contemplation.
So what need is there for more speech, when the truth—"Tat Tvam Asi" (You are That)—is already self-revealing?

➡️ Spiritual Significance

✅ Reveals Advaita Vedanta philosophy (non-dualism)

✅ Helps seekers grasp the illusive nature of the world

✅ Encourages Self-inquiry (Atma Vichara)

✅ Worships Guru as God, the highest source of wisdom

✅ Invoked on Thursdays, Guru Purnima, and during Jnana Yoga practices