The Dakshinamurti (South-facing) form of Shiva represents

The Dakshinamurti (South-facing) form of Shiva represents

cosmic dancer
ferocious warrior
universal teacher
lord of beasts
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UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2024
The Dakshinamurti form of Shiva represents the universal teacher.
Shiva is worshipped in various forms, each representing a different aspect of his divine nature.
Dakshinamurti, literally meaning “one who faces south,” is depicted as Shiva sitting under a banyan tree, facing south, teaching ancient sages (like Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana, and Sanatkumara) through silence (mauna vyakhyana). This form symbolizes Shiva as the ultimate guru, the dispeller of ignorance, and the embodiment of knowledge (Jnana). Other forms mentioned are Nataraja (cosmic dancer), Bhairava or Tripurantaka (ferocious warrior aspects), and Pashupati (lord of animals/beasts).