Lord Shri Dakshinamoorti is revered as the Original Preceptor, the Adi Guru.

In pursuit of the Eternal Truth, the sons of Lord Brahma – Sanandana, Sanaka, Sanatana and Sanatkumara sought the guidance of Lord Shiva. Pleased with their devotion, He assumed a youthful form and appeared seated, in a meditative stance, under a widespread banyan tree – the vata- vruksha. He carried the aksha – mala, the amruta – kalasha and the shastras in three of His Hands; while the fourth had the thumb and index – finger folded in the chin – mudra – the psychic symbol depicting the essential oneness of man and God, of the jivatma and the paramatma. This form of Lord Shiva as the Supreme Ascetic, is addressed and worshipped as Lord Shri Dakshinamoorti.

As His name implies, Lord dakshinamoorti is said to have sat facing the south. Thus absorbed in blissful contemplation, He imparted the Absolute Knowledge of the Brahman in total silence, to the discerning and deserving disciples seated before Him. From time immemorial, He has, therefore, become the symbol of the potency of the silent mind!

It is from Lord Shri Dakshinamoorti – the Foremost Fountainhead of Knowledge, the very first Teacher of Truth – that we trace the glorious lineage of the Guru – Shishya Parampara, the ancient and matchless Samvit tradition of the Enlightened Guru passing on His Wisdom to His disciples His shishyas.