Dakshinamurti Shiva 10 Forms With Pictures

This ten forms of Dakshinamurti Shiva is found in the famous Srikanteshwara Swamy Temple at Nanjangud in Karnataka.

Image source - from punyakshetra darshana

Jnana Dakshinamurthy – This form is associated with imparting knowledge of moksha.
Anusthana Dakshinamurthy – In this form the left foot rests on the ground as opposed to the usual right leg. This form if associated with the process of creation, sustenance and dissolution.

Yoga Dakshinamurthy – This form is associated with imparting the knowledge of Yoga.

Veena Dakshinamurthy – This form of Dakshinamurthy is associated with music. The hands hold akshamala, veena, palm leaf text and snake. The naga or snake here symbolizes tantric knowledge.

Samba Dakshinamurthy – This form of Dakshinamurthy imparts knowledge of agriculture.

Samhara Dakshinamurthy – Samhara Dakshinamurthy is in half standing posture. He holds Apasmara, who is the personification of ignorance down with his right knee and left leg. He holds an antelope with left upper hand. Antelope is the personification of chanchalata i.e. restlessness and anxiety. Dakshinamurthy by holding and taming it is indicating to us that he his removing these feelings from our mind. Just like how he holds Apasmara (ignorance) at his feet.

Shakti Dakshinamurthy – This form is depicted along with Goddess Parvati (Mother Goddess Shakti). This is associated with the great knowledge of the merging of Shiva and Shakti.

Vyakhyana Dakshinamurthy – This is a very common form of Dakshinamurthy. This form is associated with interpretation of the immortal teachings in Hinduism. Majority of the temples of Dakshinamurthy Shiva worships this form.

Vidya Dakshinamurthy – This form of Dakshinamurthy is associated with the sciences and knowledge required to thrive in the Brahmacharya (youth hood) and Grihasthashram (family) part of life. The moon here indicates fertility and medicine.

Vatamoola Dakshinamurthy – This form is depicted as sitting beneath the Vata vriksha (Banyan tree). The tree represents the expanding universe. Here it is symbolically suggested that Shiva is the source of all knowledge and the ever expanding universe is his grace.