Sri Dakshinamurthy – Lord Shiva as the Universal teacher – Sai, Save Elephants

Sairam friends,

Sri Dakshinamurthy is a form of Lord Shiva. He is the Universal Teacher – Adi Guru. His teaching is through the subtlest form of speech known as  para vak . Its beyond the range of the physical ear, abiding in silence which has all expressions in it.

Yesterday was Guru Transit as they call as “Guru Peyarchi” in Tamil. My father loves Sri Dakshinamurthy a lot as he has been regularly visiting any Shiva temple during Thursdays and doing archana, offering garland and lighting Ghee lamps for Sri Dakshinamurthy.

Ear;liar, He goes to a ancient Shiva temple called “Virundheeswarar temple” 2 kms from our house and offer Garland to Guru Bhagavan – Dakshinamurthy. He used to say “The garland we offers is the first garland” …he he….True. At times ours will be but I felt too childish when my Dad said that. Seems we never grow up actually. A child lives in all of us !

The past 6 month, my father spending his time in the Colony Siddhi Vinayakar temple and does his pooja for Dakshinamurthy there itself. Since he is one among the people responsible for arranging pooja at the temple, they wanted to give any Gifts to people who gave for special pooja during Guru Transit.

My Mom wanted me to get Dakshinamurthy books from a shop I usually get for affordable price. I told her, I shall get it but we must not get temples money and shall give it as gift to devotees. So I got 100 books about Navagraha with 108 Astothram of each Navagraha, some mantra etc along with 100 stickers and gave them.

Yesterday, after work, I went to Shirdi Sai baba temple, Lit my 3 lamps and the other lamps offered by devotees which were put off my wind. Cleaned the lamps tray. They had special Pooja in saibaba temple too. So went and did good darshan.

About Lord Dakshinamurthy:

Dakshinamurthy or Jnana Dakshinamurti (Tamil: தட்சிணாமூர்த்தி, Telugu: దక్షిణామూర్తి, Sanskrit: दक्षिणामूर्ति
Dakshinamurthy is an aspect of Shiva as a guru (teacher) of all types of knowledge and bestower of jnana. This aspect of Shiva is his personification as the supreme or the ultimate awareness, understanding and knowledge. This form represents Shiva in his aspect as a teacher of yoga, music, and wisdom, and giving exposition on the shastras.He is worshipped as the god of wisdom, complete and rewarding meditation.

Sai, Save Elephants:

I came across a article in National Geographic about the way Elephants are killed just for getting their Tusk. These Ivory is then exported to other countries for making sculptures and sold at huge price. It seems every day, almost 69 Elephants are killed in some African countries. I saw pictures of some elephants and can’t digest whats happening to these sweet creatures who mostly are friendly to human beings.

My father has lived in a forest in Karnataka for one year during a Dam construction 30-40 years back and told me stories about how Elephants will never harm human if they are in group. Seems, once a Single Elephant chased my father and he had to run for several minutes to escape by Gods grace. I know some Elephants harm people these days but that’s because we have built Houses and Colleges in the places they used to roam and live years back.

Anyway, I believe Elephants are very sweet and kind Animals and they need our care.

In India also, Elephants are killed desiring their tusk but the situation is worst in Africa.

I really wanted to have a Mini Site to Save Elephants and kept asking Saibaba in Mind “Should I make a exclusive site for Saving Elephants or simply write a article”. I was planning what to write and how to get my target audience. When I came outside and sat in the varanda with bunch of friends, surprisingly , They were speaking about Elephants.

Some Kiddish talk like “Elephant can walk 25 Kms in an hour, its very brainy and they were making fun of one of our friend”

I felt Sai really wanted me to do something to create awareness about Elephant care.

Hinduism and Elephants:

In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is popular as  God with Elephant face.

The Vehicle of Sri Dakshinamurthy and Lord Sukra is Elephant.

Lord Indra has a Elephant called Iravata…

Goddess Mahalakshmi in the form of Gajalakshmi has two White Elephants besides her.

Sorry, My knowledge is too little ..so am writing what I remember.

What really hurt me was that the Tusk of Elephants are also used to make sculptures of Saints,Gods, Goddess of various religion. There are few people selling tusks legally but am not sure why people really wanted to buy Gods statues made of Elephant tusk.

Remember, Elephants are very dear to Lord Ganesha. If you buy these sculptures made of Elephant tusk, surely you are hurting him. Please don’t do it and never encourage people who call it as Art to kill Animals and do such stuff. We never know if Elephants are killed to take tusk or had a Natural ……..

Sai dream about Elephant:

If I start to tell a dream my parents and sister immediately says “Ethuku eduthaalum Kanavu solaadha” …”No matter which topic we take, don’t tell your dreams”…he he..

What can I do? I got dreams and sometimes, when I try to find meaning in them, it does help me…I believe Sai guides me this way..Ya ya I know life isn’t dream. Don’t advice me…I had enough ! I am practical. At least I say this way these days !…

So here’s the dream Sai blessed me with …

Few years back, I had a dream as if I see some people pulling the trunk of a White Elephant in front of Dwarakamai in Saibaba temple and unfortunately its trunk gets cut off ! The Elephant was in excruciating pain and crying like anything.

Now I feel Sai wanted me to do something about Elephants years back …That’s why I surely wanted to learn and have a site to care for Elephants.

Now lets come back to Lord Dakshinamurthy….

I wish to post this Stotra of Sri Dakshinmurthy

Dhyanam

Mauna-Vyaakhyaa Prakattita Para-Brahma-Tattvam Yuvaanam
Varssisstthaam-Te Vasad Rssigannauh Aavrtam Brahma-Nisstthaih |
Aacaaryea Indram Kara-Kalita Cin-Mudram-Aananda-Muurtim
Sva-[A]atmaaraamam Mudita-Vadanam Dakssinnaamuurti-Miidde ||

Meaning:
1: (Salutations to Sri Dakshinamurthy) Whose Exposition through Profound Silence is Awakening the Knowledge of the Supreme Brahman in the Hearts of His Disciples; Who is Himself Youthful …
2: … but is Sitting Surrounded by Old and Great Sages who are Devoted to Brahman,
3: The Hands of the Supreme Spiritual Teacher is Forming the Cin-Mudra (gesture of the Knowledge of Brahman) and Whose Appearance is Still and Blissful,
4: Who is Rejoicing in His Own Self which is reflected on His Blissful Face; Salutations to Sri Dakshinamurthy.

Sri Dakshinmurthy Stotram

Vishvam darpanadrishyamaananagariitulyam nijaantargatam
Pashyannaatmani maayayaa bahirivodhbhuutam yadaa nidrayaa
Yah saakshaatkurute prabodhasamaye svaatmaanamevaadvayam
Tasmai shriigurumuurtaye nama idam shriidakshinaamuurtaye 1

The universe is the reflection of a mirror the truth is the supreme Brahman, the one without a second the mind, senses and intellect are all able to only discern the reflection of the atman the identity of the brahman and the atman is apparent after self-illumination I offer my profound salutations to the auspicious guru, who is an embodiment of Dakshinamurti, and whose grace is responsible for the illumination

Biijasyaantarivaankuro jagadidam praannirvikalpam punah
Maayaakalpita deshakaalakalanaa vaichitryachitriikritamh
Maayaaviiva vijrimbhayatyapi mahaayogiiva yah svechchhayaa
Tasmai shriigurumuurtaye nama idam shriidakshinaamuurtaye 2

He in whom this universe, prior to its projection was present like a tree in a seed (unmanifested), and by whose magic this was transformed (manifested) in various forms, by his own will similar to a yogi’s- to that Dakshinamurti, who is embodied in the auspicious guru, I offer my profound salutations.

Yasyaiva sphuranam sadaatmakamasatkalpaarthakam bhaasate
Saakshaattattvamasiiti vedavachasaa yo bodhayatyaashritaanh
Yatsaakshaatkaranaadbhavenna punaraavrittirbhavaambhonidhau
Tasmai shriigurumuurtaye nama idam shriidakshinaamuurtaye 3

He, by whose light the (unreal) universe appears real, teaches the truth of brahman to those who want to know the atman through the Vedic statement tattvamasi (thou art that) and he who puts an end to the samsaric cycle – to that dakshinamurti, who is embodied in the auspicious guru, I offer my profound salutations.

Naanaachchhidraghatodarasthitahaadiipaprabhaabhaasvaram
Gyaanam yasya tu chakshuraadikaranadvaaraa bahih spandate
Jaanaamiiti tameva bhaantamanubhaatyetatsamastam jagath
Tasmai shriigurumuurtaye nama idam shriidakshinaamuurtaye 4

He whose light gleams through the senses like the light emanating from a pot with holes (in which a lamp is kept), he whose knowledge alone brings the state of knowing (I am that), he whose brightness makes everything shine – to that Dakshinamurti, who is embodied in the auspicious guru, I offer my profound salutations

Deham praanamapiindriyaanyapi chalaam buddhim cha shuunyam viduh
Striibaalaandhaja dopamaastvahamiti bhraantaa bhrisham vaadinah
Maayaashaktivilaasakalpitamahaa vyaamohasanhaarine
Tasmai shriigurumuurtaye nama idam shriidakshinaamuurtaye 5

Some philosophers contend the body, senses, life-breath, intellect and non-existence (shunya) as the real `I’ (atman) their comprehension is worse than that of women, children, blind and the dull. He who destroys this delusion caused by maya (and makes us aware of the truth)- to that Dakshinamurti, who is embodied in the auspicious guru, I offer my profound salutations

Raahugrastadivaakarendusadrisho maayaasamaachchhaadanaath
Sanmaatrah karanopasanharanato yoabhuutsushhuptah pumaanh
Praagasvaapsamiti prabodhasamaye yah pratyabhigyaayate
Tasmai shriigurumuurtaye nama idam shriidakshinaamuurtaye 6

The brillance of sun exists even when intercepted by rahu during eclipse similarly, the power of cognition only remains suspended during deep sleep the self exists as pure being even though unrecognized due to the veil of maya a person on awakening becomes aware that he was asleep earlier (and the dream was unreal) similarly, a person who awakens to the consciousness of the self recognizes his previous state of ignorance as unreal he by whose grace alone does one awaken to the consciousness of the self – to that dakshinamurti, who is embodied in the auspicious guru, I offer my profound salutations

Baalyaadishhvapi jaagradaadishhu tathaa sarvaasvavasthaasvapi
Vyaavrittaasvanuvartamaanamahamityantah sphurantam sadaa
Svaatmaanam prakatiikaroti bhajataam yo mudrayaa bhadrayaa
Tasmai shriigurumuurtaye nama idam shriidakshinaamuurtaye 7

He, whose existence is changeless throughout the various states of the body (like old, young etc) and the mind (waking, dreaming etc), and who reveals the greatest knowledge of atman by gyaana-mudra (the joining of the thumb and the forefinger of a raised right hand) – to that Dakshinamurti, who is embodied in the auspicious guru, I offer my Profound salutations

Vishvam pashyati kaaryakaaranatayaa svasvaamisambandhatah
Shishhyaachaaryatayaa tayaiva pitriputraadyaatmanaa bhedatah
Svapne jaagrati vaa ya eshha purushho maayaaparibhraamitah
Tasmai shriigurumuurtaye nama idam shriidakshinaamuurtaye 8

He, whose power of maya enables one to experience the world as multiform, (like teacher, disciple, father, son etc) during both the waking and dream states – to that dakshinamurti, who is embodied in the auspicious guru, I offer my profound salutations

Bhuurambhaansyanaloaniloambaramaharnaatho himaanshuh pumaanh
Ityaabhaati charaacharaatmakamidam yasyaiva muurtyashhtakamh
Naanyatkijnchana vidyate vimrishataam yasmaatparasmaadvibhoh
Tasmai shriigurumuurtaye nama idam shriidakshinaamuurtaye 9

He, whose subtle and unmanifest eightfold form causes the moving and unmoving universe, and by whose grace alone does all these manifestation disappear to reveal that `all that exists is brahman’ – to that dakshinamurti, Who is embodied in the auspicious guru, I offer my profound salutations.

Sarvaatmatvamiti sphutiikritamidam yasmaadamushhminh stave
Tenaasya shravanaattadarthamananaaddhyaanaachcha sankiirtanaath
Sarvaatmatvamahaavibhuutisahitam syaadiishvaratvam svatah
Siddhyettatpunarashhtadhaa parinatam chaishvaryamavyaahatamh 10

The verse points out to the all pervasiveness of the indwelling spirit, atman by the recital, contemplation and meditation of this hymn, the disciple attains the state of oneness with atman and realizes his unity with the universe, thus becoming the very essence of the eightfold manifestation.

Vatavitapisamiipe bhuumibhaage nishhannam
Sakalamunijanaanaam gyanadaataaramaaraath
Tribhuvanagurumiisham dakshinaamuurtidevam
Jananamaranaduhkhachchhedadaksham namaami

Now listen to Dakshinamurthy stotram

Sri Dakshinmurthy Stotram  – Used courtesy of devotee who contributed in Youtube

Hope you liked it friends.

Now few more words about Saving Elephants and caring for them in our own way…Am getting late for work..Parents will start to ask why am still not getting ready so fast fast !

I wish to show this girl who is doing a great work being so little..If she can do something to save Elephants, we too can.

See the below interview courtesy of National Geographic article

“Hi! I am Celia Ho, a 14-year-old girl from Hong Kong. I have been working on an ivory ban campaign to help save elephants from the inhumane ivory market.

Elephants have always been a symbol of happiness for me since I watched a scene of elephants playing light-heartedly in a documentary when I was very small, and I love every part of them, their intelligent eyes, lovely noses… They have emotion, feelings and close relationship with one another just like humans! But I have never thought of the exacerbating difficulties they have been encountering in recent decades until an inspirational article by Mr. Bryan Christy.”

This little girl is doing a campaign and helping people to stop buying Ivory.

As Hindus, who’s first God is Ganesha, we too must do little we can to save elephants no matter which country they live in. They still are sweet Elephants and needs our love and care.

I hope to do something

Sai , Save Elephants !

We love them

Please give me knowledge to do something..I wrote to few people who are experts or might have better knowledge then me but no one replies a Sai Servant ! he he…I have to work on my own

Keep worshiping Lord Guru Bhagavan – Sri Dakshinamurthy and be blessed friends.

My Mom asked why am not staring for work..I did my pooja and again started writing…Now Tata..

In love with Big, Small and Tiny Animals, birds, Fishes and every life on Earth ,

“Because Sai lives in every life as Antaryami”

Few days after this article, I create a site for Elephant Care, See article in link below.

Sai ki jai

Venkat