Dakshinamoorthi - Kerala Mural Archive

Detail Photos

Deity: Shiva Location: Peruvanam Mahadeva Temple Theme: Non-narrative Visual Feature: Background pattern Visual Feature: Facial expression detail Visual Feature: Hand gesture (mudra)Visual Feature: Ornamentation

A white-skinned Siva in the form of Dakshinamoorthy sits under the banyan tree. He has four arms, of which two upper arms hold the deer and axe on the right and left sides respectively. His left hand is folded in vyakhyana mudra while his right hand rests on his thighs. He wears a yellow lower garment. He has serpents coiled around his body. His one leg is folded, while his other leg hangs down. Above his head is an ornate crown with a little bit of matted locks jutting up like that of a hermit. He wears the cresent moon and Ganga on his head. Rest of his matted locks flow down his back. There is a squirren atop the banyan tree which he is resting.

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Dakshinamoorthi
Iconographic Form: Dakshinamoorthi (Shiva’s form)
Iconographic Attributes: White-skinned; sitting under a banyan tree; four arms; deer on the upper right hand; axe on the upper left hand; lower rightarm rests on his lap; lower left arm is in vyakhyana mudra; squirrel atop the banyan tree; has many ornaments; one leg is folded; the left leg hangs down; two lion figures carved on the pedestal where he is sitting;serpents around his body; crown over his head; Ganga and crescent moon atop his hair; matted hair.
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Zone within Temple: Sanctum
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: 8
Adjacent Panels: Rakshasa head

Narrative

Textual Source: Non-narrative
Mythological Tale: Dakshinamurthy is Shiva in his form as the supreme teacher, seated facing south beneath a tree, imparting the highest knowledge to a gathering of aged sages not through speech but through silence and gesture. This form is the source of the guru shishya tradition central to South Indian transmission of knowledge, and murals of it are often placed near the southern approach of a temple.
Episode: Non-narrative

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Fair
Deterioration Type: Pigment loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Combined permission
Date of Documentation: 03/08/2024
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: PVM_P008
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.