Shri Dakshinamurti Stotram
श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तिस्तोत्रम्
Sanskrit
विश्वं दर्पणदृश्यमाननगरीतुल्यं निजान्तर्गतं पश्यन्नात्मनि मायया बहिरिवोद्भूतं यथा निद्रया । यः साक्षात्कुरुते प्रबोधसमये स्वात्मानमेवाद्वयं तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥
Transliteration
viśvaṃ darpaṇadṛśyamānanagarītulyaṃ nijāntargataṃ paśyann ātmani māyayā bahir ivodbhūtaṃ yathā nidrayā | yaḥ sākṣātkurute prabodhasamaye svātmānam evādvayaṃ tasmai śrīgurumūrtaye nama idaṃ śrīdakṣiṇāmūrtaye ||
Translation
To him who sees the universe - like a city seen in a mirror - resting within himself, yet appearing outside as if produced by Maya like in a dream, and who directly realises his own non-dual Self upon awakening, salutations to that Dakshinamurti, embodied as the glorious Guru.
Deep Meaning
I bow to the Guru-form Shri Dakshinamurti, who, in the moment of waking, directly realises his own non-dual Self, the world having appeared within him as a city in a mirror, as if outside, through Maya, as in sleep.
Sanskrit
बीजस्यान्तरिवाङ्कुरो जगदिदं प्राङ्निर्विकल्पं शनैः मायाकल्पितदेशकालकलनावैचित्र्यचित्रीकृतम् । मायावीव विजृम्भयत्यपि महायोगीव यः स्वेच्छया तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥
Transliteration
bījasyāntar ivāṅkuro jagad idaṃ prān nirvikalpaṃ śanair māyākalpitadeśakālakalanāvaicitryacitrīkṛtam | māyāvīva vijṛmbhayaty api mahāyogīva yaḥ svecchayā tasmai śrīgurumūrtaye nama idaṃ śrīdakṣiṇāmūrtaye ||
Translation
To him who, like a magician or a great yogi, by his own will unfolds this universe - which was unconditioned within himself like a sprout inside a seed - gradually painted with the diversity of space, time and imagination conjured by Maya, salutations to that Dakshinamurti, embodied as the glorious Guru.
Deep Meaning
I bow to the Guru-form Shri Dakshinamurti, who by his own will unfolds this world like a seed's sprout, painted with the variety of space, time and reckoning created by Maya, as a magician or a great yogi does.
Sanskrit
यस्यैव स्फुरणं सदात्मकमसत्कल्पार्थकं भासते साक्षात् तत्त्वमसीति वेदवचसा यो बोधयत्याश्रितान् । यत्साक्षात्करणाद्भवेन्न पुनरावृत्तिर्भवाम्भोनिधौ तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥
Transliteration
yasyaiva sphuraṇaṃ sadātmakam asatkalpārthakaṃ bhāsate sākṣāt tat tvam asīti vedavacasā yo bodhayaty āśritān | yatsākṣātkaraṇād bhaven na punarāvṛttir bhavāmbhonidhau tasmai śrīgurumūrtaye nama idaṃ śrīdakṣiṇāmūrtaye ||
Translation
To him whose radiance of pure existence makes unreal objects shine as real, who enlightens those who seek refuge through the Vedic statement "Tat Tvam Asi" ("That Thou Art"), and by realizing whom there is no return to the ocean of worldly existence, salutations to that Dakshinamurti, embodied as the glorious Guru.
Deep Meaning
I bow to the Guru-form Shri Dakshinamurti, whose shining is the real, though it seems unreal, who teaches his followers through the Vedic words 'you are That', and by realising whom there is no return to the ocean of worldly existence.
Sanskrit
नानाछिद्रघटोदरस्थितमहादीपप्रभाभास्वरं ज्ञानं यस्य तु चक्षुरादिकरणद्वारा बहिः स्पन्दते । जानामीति तमेव भान्तमनुभात्येतत् समस्तं जगत् तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥
Transliteration
nānāchidraghaṭodarasthitamahādīpaprabhābhāsvaraṃ jñānaṃ yasya tu cakṣurādikaraṇadvārā bahiḥ spandate | jānāmīti tam eva bhāntam anubhāty etat samastaṃ jagat tasmai śrīgurumūrtaye nama idaṃ śrīdakṣiṇāmūrtaye ||
Translation
To him whose knowledge shines like the brilliant light of a great lamp placed inside a pot with many holes, radiating outward through the eyes and other senses, and by whose shining alone this whole universe shines after ("I know"), salutations to that Dakshinamurti, embodied as the glorious Guru.
Deep Meaning
I bow to the Guru-form Shri Dakshinamurti, whose knowledge shines like the light of a great lamp inside a pot with many holes, which shines outwards through the senses and the eyes, and by whose light the whole world is lit up.
Sanskrit
देहं प्राणमपीन्द्रियाण्यपि चलां बुद्धिं च शून्यं विदुः स्त्रीबालान्धजडोपमास्त्वहमिति भ्रान्ता भृशं वादिनः । मायाशक्तिविलासकल्पितमहाव्यामोहसंहारिणे तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥
Transliteration
dehaṃ prāṇam apīndriyāṇy api calāṃ buddhiṃ ca śūnyaṃ viduḥ strībālāndhajaḍopamās tv aham iti bhrāntā bhṛśaṃ vādinaḥ | māyāśaktivilāsakalpitamahāvyāmohasaṃhāriṇe tasmai śrīgurumūrtaye nama idaṃ śrīdakṣiṇāmūrtaye ||
Translation
To him who destroys the great delusion created by the play of Maya's power among disputants who - like women, children, the blind, or the ignorant - falsely assert the body, life-breath, senses, restless intellect, or emptiness to be the "I", salutations to that Dakshinamurti, embodied as the glorious Guru.
Deep Meaning
I bow to the Guru-form Shri Dakshinamurti, who destroys the great delusion created by the play of Maya's power. Those who call the body, breath, senses, the unsteady mind, and themselves empty, like women, children, the blind and the dull, are confused.
Sanskrit
राहुग्रस्तदिवाकरेन्दुसदृशो मायासमाच्छादनात् सन्मात्रः करणोपसंहरणतो योऽभूत् सुषुप्तः पुमान् । प्रागस्वाप्समिति प्रबोधसमये यः प्रत्यभिज्ञायते तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥
Transliteration
rāhugrastadivākarendusadṛśo māyāsamācchādanāt sanmātraḥ karaṇopasaṃharaṇato yo 'bhūt suṣuptaḥ pumān | prāg asvāpsam iti prabodhasamaye yaḥ pratyabhijñāyate tasmai śrīgurumūrtaye nama idaṃ śrīdakṣiṇāmūrtaye ||
Translation
To him who, like the sun or moon eclipsed by Rahu, remains as pure Existence when the senses are withdrawn in deep sleep under Maya's veil, and who is recognized upon waking ("I slept before"), salutations to that Dakshinamurti, embodied as the glorious Guru.
Deep Meaning
I bow to the Guru-form Shri Dakshinamurti, who, though the Self is like the sun and moon eclipsed by Rahu, is withdrawn into deep sleep through the covering of Maya, and who is recognised on waking as one who slept.
Sanskrit
बाल्यादिष्वपि जाग्रदादिषु तथा सर्वास्ववस्थास्वपि व्यावृत्तास्वनुवर्तमानमहमित्यन्तः स्फुरन्तं सदा । स्वात्मानं प्रकटीकरोति भजतां यो मुद्रया भद्रया तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥
Transliteration
bālyādiṣv api jāgradādiṣu tathā sarvāsv avasthāsv api vyāvṛttāsv anuvartamānam aham ity antaḥ sphurantaṃ sadā | svātmānaṃ prakaṭīkaroti bhajatāṃ yo mudrayā bhadrayā tasmai śrīgurumūrtaye nama idaṃ śrīdakṣiṇāmūrtaye ||
Translation
To him who reveals to his devotees by his auspicious hand-gesture (chin-mudra) their own Self - which shines within continuously as "I" through childhood, youth and old age, waking, dream and deep sleep, amidst all changing states - salutations to that Dakshinamurti, embodied as the glorious Guru.
Deep Meaning
I bow to the Guru-form Shri Dakshinamurti, who through the auspicious mudra reveals his Self, which shines within as 'I' in boyhood, youth, old age, waking, dreaming, deep sleep and all the other states, to those who worship him.
Sanskrit
विश्वं पश्यति कार्यकारणतया स्वस्वामिसम्बन्धतः शिष्याचार्यतया तथैव पितृपुत्राद्यात्मना भेदतः । स्वप्ने जाग्रति वा य एष पुरुषो मायापरिभ्रामितस्तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥
Transliteration
viśvaṃ paśyati kāryakāraṇatayā svasvāmisambandhataḥ śiṣyācāryatayā tathaiva pitṛputrādyātmanā bhedataḥ | svapne jāgrati vā ya eṣa puruṣo māyāparibhrāmitas tasmai śrīgurumūrtaye nama idaṃ śrīdakṣiṇāmūrtaye ||
Translation
To him who, as the individual soul deluded by Maya in dream or waking state, sees the universe divided into cause and effect, master and servant, disciple and teacher, father and son, salutations to that Dakshinamurti, embodied as the glorious Guru.
Deep Meaning
I bow to the Guru-form Shri Dakshinamurti, who, through the difference of cause and effect, master and servant, teacher and disciple, father and son, sees the world in dream and in waking as the wandering of a person driven by Maya.
Sanskrit
भूरम्भांस्यनलोऽनिलोऽम्बरमहर्नाथो हिमांशुः पुमानित्याभाति चराचरात्मकमिदं यस्यैव मूर्त्यष्टकम् । नान्यत्किञ्चन विद्यते विमृशतां यस्मात् परस्माद्विभोस्तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥
Transliteration
bhūr ambhāṃsy analo 'nilo 'mbaram aharnātho himāṃśuḥ pumān ity ābhāti carācarātmakam idaṃ yasyaiva mūrtyaṣṭakam | nānyat kiñcana vidyate vimṛśatāṃ yasmāt parasmād vibhos tasmai śrīgurumūrtaye nama idaṃ śrīdakṣiṇāmūrtaye ||
Translation
To him whose eight-fold form - earth, water, fire, air, sky, sun, moon, and spirit - shines forth as this entire moving and unmoving world, and beyond whom as the supreme all-pervading Lord nothing else exists for those who reflect, salutations to that Dakshinamurti, embodied as the glorious Guru.
Deep Meaning
I bow to the Guru-form Shri Dakshinamurti, whose eightfold forms of earth, water, fire, air, space, sun, moon and person shine forth as this moving and unmoving world, and beyond whom nothing else exists for those who reflect.
Sanskrit
सर्वात्मत्वमिति स्फुटीकृतमिदं यस्मादमुष्मिन् स्तवे तेनास्य श्रवणात् तदर्थमननाद्ध्यानाच्च संकीर्तनात् । सर्वात्मत्वमहाविभूतिसहितं स्यादीश्वरत्वं स्वतः सिध्येत् तत्पुनरष्टधा परिणतं चैश्वर्यमव्याहतम् ॥
Transliteration
sarvātmatvam iti sphuṭīkṛtam idam yasmād amuṣmin stave tenāsya śravaṇāt tadarthamananād dhyānāc ca saṃkīrtanāt | sarvātmatvamahāvibhūtisahitaṃ syād īśvaratvaṃ svataḥ sidhyet tat punar aṣṭadhā pariṇataṃ caiśvaryam avyāhatam ||
Translation
Because the state of being the Self of all is clarified in this hymn, therefore by hearing it, reflecting on its meaning, meditating on it, and singing it, divine lordship with the great glory of universal Selfhood arises spontaneously, and unhindered sovereignty manifesting eightfold is accomplished.
Deep Meaning
Because this hymn makes plain that the world is the Self of all, one who hears, reflects on, meditates on and sings it attains lordship with the greatness of being the Self of all, and this lordship, divided into eight forms, is achieved without obstacle.
Sanskrit
भूमिभागे निषण्णं वटविटपिसमीपे सकलमुनिजनानां ज्ञानदातारमारात् । त्रिभुवनगुरुमीशं दक्षिणामूर्तिदेवं जननमरणदुःखच्छेददक्षं नमामि ॥
Transliteration
bhūmibhāge niṣaṇṇaṃ vaṭaviṭapisamīpe sakalamunijanānāṃ jñānadātāram ārāt | tribhuvanagurum īśaṃ dakṣiṇāmūrtidevaṃ jananamaraṇaduḥkhacchedadakṣaṃ namāmi ||
Translation
I bow to Lord Dakshinamurti, seated on the ground near the banyan tree, bestowing knowledge on all the sages assembled nearby, the Guru and Lord of the three worlds, skilled in severing the sorrow of birth and death.
Deep Meaning
I bow to Dakshinamurti, the Lord of the three worlds and their teacher, who sits on the ground near the banyan tree, who gives knowledge to the sages sitting near him, and who is expert in destroying the sorrow of birth and death.
Sanskrit
चित्रं वटतरोर्मूले वृद्धाः शिष्या गुरुर्युवा । गुरोस्तु मौनं व्याख्यानं शिष्यास्तु छिन्नसंशयाः ॥
Transliteration
citraṃ vaṭataror mūle vṛddhāḥ śiṣyā gurur yuvā | guros tu maunaṃ vyākhyānaṃ śiṣyās tu chinnasaṃśayāḥ ||
Translation
Wonderful it is beneath the banyan tree! The disciples are aged, while the Guru is young; the Guru's exposition is silence, yet the disciples' doubts are dispelled.
Deep Meaning
The wonder is that beneath the banyan tree the disciples are old and the teacher is young. The teacher explains in silence, and the disciples' doubts are cut away.