6. Sri Dakshinamurti Sadhana
Standing in front of the Dakshinamurti north of Iraivan Temple, offer flowers and chant a simple Dakshinamurti chant three of more times. §
Below is a simple chant that can be used. If you prefer another chant, it may also be used. Afterwards sit and reflect upon the meaning of teaching the nondual union of jiva with Śiva through silence. §
Guru Brahma! Guru Vishnu !
Guru Devo Maheswaraha!
Guru Sakshath Parabrahma
Tasmaisree Gurave namaha!
Gurave Sarva Lokanam Bhishaje Bhavaroginam!
Nidhaye Sarva Vidyanam
Sri Dakshinamoorthaye Namaha!§
Quote From Gurudeva§
Once freed by God’s grace from these bonds—which do not cease to exist, but no longer have the power to bind—the soul experiences nirvikalpa samadhi. This is the realization of the Self, Atattva Parabrahman—timeless, formless, spaceless—a oneness beyond all change or diversity.§
Supplementary Reading§
Dakshinamurti literally means “south-facing form.” Dakshinamurti is Lord Śiva depicted sitting under a banyan tree, teaching four rishis at His feet by keeping mouna, silence, and showing the chinmudra by His right front hand. In Chinmudra the tips of the thumb and forefinger are joined to form a circle while the other fingers are kept open and stretched. The whole palm faces outwards. It is the pose of imparting knowledge and thus is also known as jnana mudra. The joining of the two fingers symbolizes realizing that jiva and Śiva are in nondual union. The index finger represents individual consciousness, the jivatma, while the thumb symbolizes supreme consciousness.§
Additional Resources§
Living with Śiva, Chapter 16: Harnessing Willpower§