Daskshinamurthy
is a very improtant shrine in every Siva temple. The deity always faces the south. It is a
yogic pose of Lord Siva himself. As Dakshinamurti, Siva is a teacher or Guru of Yogas,
Music and other ,.sciences. The story goes to say that Siva married Sati, the daughter of
King Daksha. During an elaborate Yajna performed by Daksha, he did not invite his daughter
and son-in-law, i.e., Sati and Siva. Sati took it to heart and went to the Yajna though
uninvited. Her father took no notice of her and did not show to her the customary signs of
welcome. Feeling insulted, she threw herself into the sacrificial fire and burnt herself
away. At this Siva became furious and brought out Veerabhadra frorn his matted hair and
got Daksha killed. After this Siva promised not to marry again and went into the forest,
where he engaged himself in deep meditation beneath a banyan tree. This Yogic pose
ofmeditation of Siva is worshipped as Dakshinamurti.
The artistic featuring of Siva in meditation is so
superb that one feels that one's ego has vanished for the time being. Here lies the beauty
of sculpture, which helps meditation by the devotee by a realistic symbol. There are many
minor gods also in the temple, which are known as Utsava Vigrahams, i.e., and processional
details. Some of them are superb in art design. |
