The Puranic origins, significance & iconography of the Saptamatrikas

From top left : Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheshwari, Indrani, Varahi, Kaumari, Chamunda

 

Saptamatrikas in the Puranas

It is well known that after the slaying of Asuras Hiranyaksha & Hiranyakasipu by Maha Vishnu in his Varaha & Narasimha avatara, Hiranyakasipu's only son Prahlada, who was a great devotee & bhakta of Maha Vishnu renounces all concerns of worldly life. After Prahlada, it was Andhakasura who began ruling over the asuras. Like other asuras before him, he had an irresistible & mad desire to conquer the Devas & rule over all the 3 worlds.

In order to attain the powers needed to fulfill his desires, Andhakasura would go on to perform a long series of severe austerities in order to please the creator of the universe, Lord Brahma. The latter pleased by Andhakasura's devotion & dedication would grant him some very powerful boons including that of creating maya & immortality(with an exception that he could be slayed only by Lord Shiva) 

Filled with arrogance & pride of being nearly invincible, Andhakasura launches a ferocious attack on the Devas. All the Devas now defeated & consumed by fear turn to Lord Shiva at Kailasa for help. Even as Lord Shiva was listening to their woes, Andhaka appears at Kailasa to abduct Goddess Parvathi.

Angered by this, Lord Shiva gets ready to fight Andhaka. A ferocious battle involving other Devas including Maha Vishnu ensues. When Shiva finally manages to wound the evil asura, making him bleed, a very curious thing happens. Each time a drop of Andhakasura's blood made contact with the ground, that droplet would turn into a form of Andhaka himself. In no time there were 1000's of Andhakasuras surrounding the Devas. 

Lord Shiva now identifies the original Andhakasura & pierces his body with the Trishula. Meanwhile Maha Vishnu destroys with his Sudarshana Chakra the secondary Andhakasura's that kept appearing as a result of his blood falling on the ground. To stop the blood from falling on the ground, Lord Shiva created out of the flame that was issuing from his mouth a Shakti called Yogeshwari. Brahma, Vishnu, Indra, Varaha, Skanda & Yama too send their Shaktis in order to catch the blood of Andhaka from touching the ground. 

These 7 female counterparts i.e. Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheshwari, Indrani, Varahi, Kaumari & Chamunda together came to be known as the Saptamatrikas. The Saptamatrikas are armed with the same weapons,wear the same ornaments, ride the same Vahanas & carry the same banners corresponding to their male counterparts.

The 7 Matrikas caught all drops of blood as they fell in the batlle between Lord Shiva & Andhakasura, thereby stopping the further multiplication of the evil asura. Lord Shiva finally with the help of Saptamatrikas slays Andhakasura.

Significance of the Saptapatrikas according to the Puranas

In the Maha Puranas, the number of Matrikas is placed as 7. Only exception is the Varahapurana which places it at 8. It includes among them goddess Yogeshwari mentioned a few paragraphs above. According to the Varahapurana the story of Andhakasura & the Matrikas is an allegory. It represents Atma Vidhya or spiritual wisdom as warring against Andhakara(the darkness of ignorance) of which Andhakasura was a personification of.

The spirit of Vidhya, personified by Lord Shiva fights with Andhakasura, the darkness of Avidhya. The more this is attempted to be attacked by Vidhya, the more does it tend to increase for a while; this is represented by the multiplication of the figures of Andhakasura. 

Unless the 8 undesirable qualities of Kama(desire), Krodha(anger), Lobha(covetousness), Mada(pride), Moha(illusion), Matsarya(fault finding), Paisunya(tale-bearing) & Asuya(envy) are completely brought under control of Vidhya & kept under restraint, it can never succeed in defeating Andhakara.

Iconography of the Saptamatrikas

The Agama shastras lay down specific rules on how the 7 Matrikas have to be depicted. They state that Brahmani should be depicted like Brahma, Vaishnavi like Vishnu, Maheshwari like Maheshwara, Indrani like Indra, Varahi like a short woman with angry face, Kaumari like Skanda & Chamunda as a terrific woman who should possess a dark complexion & have 4 hands, she should wield the Trishula in one of her hands & carry a Kapala in another.

All the Matrikas are to be seated images & should have two of their hands held in Varadha & Abhaya mudras, while the other two hands should carry weapons corresponding to their male counterparts. They are to be shown seated upon in padmasanas in sculptures.

Saptamatrika iconography was widespread throught ancient Bharatavarsha. From Lalitaditya's Kashmir to the southernmost realms of the Pandyas, from the westernmost frontiers of ancient Bharat once controlled by the Pratiharas to the easternmost ruled by the Palas. The Saptamatrika was a pan-Bharat iconography & still is. Though much of the sculptures have been lost to barbaric turushka invasions in the west, north & east, they continue to be well preserved in Southern Bharat.

We'll have a look at few of these sculptures from the Srikanteshwara Swamy Devastana at Nanjangudu near Mysuru in Karnataka. 

1) Brahmani

Brahmani or Brahmi, the first Matrika is the shakthi of Brahma. She is golden in complexion, having 4 faces & 4 hands. In her upper left hand she carries a kamandalu & in the upper right hand an Akshamala. She holds the Abhaya & Varada mudra with front hands. Her head is adorned with the Karanda-makuta. She is seated in Padmaaasana under a Palasha (Butea) tree. Her Vahana is a Hamsa (Swan)

2) Vaishnavi

Vaishnavi. She is the shakthi of Shri Maha Vishnu. She is dark in complexion & wears bright yellow clothes. She has 4 arms. The upper arms hold a Chakra & Shanka just like Vishnu. The front arms are in the Abhaya & Varada mudra positions. Her head is adorned with the Kirita-makuta. She is seated in Padmaaasana under a Rajavriksha (Cassia) tree. Her Vahana is the Garuda (Eagle)

3) Maheshwari

Maheshwari. Also known as Rudrani is the Shakthi of Shiva. She is white in complexion & has 3 eyes. She has 4 arms. Upper arms hold a Trishula & a Damru (notice the sarpa curled around it) She holds the Abhaya & Varada mudras with front arms. Her head is adorned with the Jata-makuta just like Shiva. Her Vahana is a Vrishabha (Bull)

4) Indrani

Indrani. She is the Shakthi of Indra. She is dark red in colour. Indrani is depicted with 4 arms. In two of her upper hands she carries the Vajra (thunderbolt) and the shakthi weapon. While the lower two hands hold Abhaya & Varada mudra. Her head is adorned with the Kirita-makuta. She is seated in Padmaaasana under a Kalpaka tree. Her Vahana is an elephant.

5) Varahi

Varahi. She is the Shakthi of Varahaswamy. Varahi is shown with the face of a boar & having dark complexion. She is also called Dhumavati. She carries a hala (plough) & musula (pestle) in her upper hands, while the front hands hold the Abhaya & Varada mudra. Her head is adorned with the Karanda-makuta. She is seated in Padmaaasana under a Kalpaka tree as well. Her Vahana is a buffalo.

6) Kaumari

Kaumari. Also known as Ambika. She is the shakthi of Skanda. Her complexion is golden yellow & she is dressed in red garments. Kaumari has four hands & carries the Shakthi weapon & an Ankusha. The front two hands gesture Abhaya & Varada mudras. Her head is adorned with a makuta bound with Vaasika. She is seated in Padmaaasana under an Udumbara (Fig) tree. Her Vahana is a peacock.

7) Chamunda

Chamunda. Also known as Chamundi, she is the terrific form of Devi Chandi. She is red in colour & has 4 arms & 3 eyes. She hold the Khatvanga & a severed head with her upper arms. While the lower arms in the Abhaya & Varada mudra positions. She wears a garland of skulls(mundamala) in the manner of the Yajnopavita & is seated in Padmaasana under an Udumbara (Fig) tree. She wears in her ears kundalas made out of conch shell. At her feet is a Preta (corpse).

Saptamatrika Panel

The Saptamatrikas are almost always flanked on either side by Veerabhadra & Ganesha. Veerabhadra is depicted with 4 arms & 3 eyes & has a very pacific look. He is shown wearing the jata-makuta. Veerabhadra is white in colour. In his upper arms he carries the sula & gada, while the the lower arms are shown holding the Abhaya & Varada mudra. Veerabhadra is seated in Padmaasana under a Banyan tree. Below is a classic depiction of the Saptamatrikas flanked on either side by Veerabhadra & Ganesha. The panel is from the Rameshwara Temple at Keladi in Karnataka. I've written a post on this Temple which can be read HERE

Saptamatrika panel

400+ year old panel of Saptamatrikas from the Keladi Rameshwara Temple near Sagara, Karnataka. From left : Veerabhadra, (Brahmi, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani, Chamundi) & Ganesha. If observed closely one can also spot their Vahanas carved below them.

References:

Varaha & Kurma Purana by Motilal Banarsidass Publication.
Elements of Hindu Iconography by TA Gopinath Rao.

Thirty Two forms of Lord Ganesha from the Srikanteshwara Swamy Temple at Nanjangudu, Karnataka.

On the occasion of Vinayaka Chaturthi, here's my writeup on the many manifestations of Lord Ganesha from the Srikanteshwara Swamy Temple at Nanjangudu near Mysuru in Karnataka. The iconography related to these forms of Lord Ganesha find mention in the Mudgala & Ganesha Purana. The Sritattvanidhi, an iconometric treatise written by the then Maharaja of Mysore, Shri Krishnaraja Wodeyar III also mentions these 32 forms of Vinayaka. In this post we will take a look at each one of these 32 different forms.

The Srikanteshwara Swamy Temple at Nanjangudu is one among the rare temples where each one of these 32 forms of Ganesha have been carved on the outer precincts of the Temple. While some of the forms are well known & widely worshiped, other forms are invoked & worshiped by specific sects only.

Various forms of Ganesha (from left: Panchamukha Ganapathi, Simha Ganapathi, Heramba Ganapathi and Siddhi Ganapathi)

Before moving on to the 32 forms, we'll take a brief look at the origins of Ganapathi in our puranas & his subsequent development into a major deity in the pantheon of Hindu gods.

Account from the Linga Purana

The name Vigneshwara first appears in the Lingapurana. Vigneshwara, as the name suggests was the deity conceived in order to put or remove obstacles. Asuras & rakshasas after receiving boons from Lord Shiva, turn out to be a major menace for other Devas. Rendered helpless ,the King of the Devas Lord Indra approaches Lord Shiva with a prayer to create a being who would throw obstacles in the way of the Rakshahas & Asuras in an attempt to render them unfit to receive any further boons. Lord Shiva heeds to this request. 

One of the Amshas of Lord Shiva, a part of his power took the form of an brilliant being & was delivered out of the womb of Devi Parvathi. This being was named Vigneshwara by Parameshwara himself. Lord Shiva tasks Vigneshwara to be a major impediment in the path of rakshasas, asuras & other evil beings from attaining boons & other undesirable powers. At the same time Vigneshwara also has the power of removing obstacles in the path of noble & good beings. This is one of the account of the origins of Vigneshwara from the Puranas.

Account from the Shiva Purana

The Shivapurana gives the following account of the birth of Vigneshwara. This is from the Shwetakalpa. Jaya & Vijaya, the companions of Devi Parvathi suggested to her to have a personal Gana(attendant) attending to her exclusively. Parvathi heeds to this advice & creates a being out her own Amsha. Thus was born a handsome young boy. Parvathi orders this boy to keep strict vigil of her quarters with the instruction to not allow anyone inside without her permission. It is during this time that Lord Shiva himself is refused entry by this new Dwarapalaka. 

A fight ensues during this time between this valiant boy & Lord Shiva. Angered by this rude behaviour, Lord Shiva instructs his army of Bhuta-Ganas to fight this boy. In the fight that followed the little boy defeats all the Bhuta Ganas single-handedly. Lord Maha Vishnu & Lord Subramanya too try their hand at subduing this boy & they too fail. The stunned Lord Shiva finally manages to subdue him by slicing off the young boy's head.

The news of the killing of this young boy is broke to Parvathi by Sage Narada. Consumed by grief & anger, Parvathi Devi unleashes a host of terrible & terrific goddesses on the Devas who brought grief on her. Narada & other sages pray to Parvathi in order to calm her down & she is assured that her creation will be brought back to life. Lord Shiva then instructs the Devas to head north & bring the head of the first living being they meet & fix it on the neck of the beheaded creation of Devi Parvathi. 

The first being the Devas encounter would be an elephant with only a single tusk. Thus sprang to life again Ekadanta(single tusked), who is also known as Gajanana(elephant faced). Ekadanta apologises to his father Lord Shiva & other Devatas for causing them much grief. Lord Shiva in turn appoints his son as the leader of his attendants, the Ganas. Thus Gajanana also came to be known as Ganapathi( Commander of the Ganas)

The Varaha & Matsya Purana too mention in detail the origins of Ganesha, but the above two remain the most popular till this day.

32 different forms of Ganesha

1) Bala Ganapathi

Ganesha in his child form. He has four arms, each holding a fruit; namely mango, jackfruit, banana & sugarcane. He holds the modakam sweet with his trunk. The colour of this form of Ganesha is that of a rising sun.

2) Dhundi Ganapathi

Meaning "the Ganapathi sought after". He has four arms. His right hands holds a tusk & a japamala. The other two arms hold a kuthara(axe) & a ratnapatra(pot of gems)

3) Taruna Ganapathi

Taruna Ganapathi. Represents the youthful form of Ganesha. His arms carry paasa(rope), hook, kadubu(a sweet variety), guava fruit, tusk, paddy & sugarcane. He is red in colour.

4) Nrithya Ganapathi

He is depicted with 4 arms dancing under the sacred Kalpa vriksha(not seen here). He also holds a Trishula with his right upper arm. The colour of the body of this Ganesha has to be golden yellow.

5) Veera Ganapathi

Ganesha has 16 arms here! He wields some of the most fascinating weapons here. That include bhetala, dhanus, bhana, chakra, khagga(sword) , gada, mudgara(hammer), nagapasha, kunta(spear), kutthaara(axe), a dwaja, Alamba(hook),musala(club), trishula, kavacha. Veera Ganapathi is red in colour.

6) Shakti Ganapathi

This manifestation represents the powerful form of Ganesha. He has 6 arms with Shakti devi seated on his left lap. The general characteristics of Shakti Ganapathi are that he should be seated on the padmasana with a green coloured Shakti by his side, whom he should be embracing about her waist, and that there should be no contact between the hips of the god and the goddess. His colour should be that of the setting sun. He should hold the weapons paasa & vajra and be made to look terrific.

7) Dvija Ganapathi

Dvija Ganapathi. Meaning "the Ganapathi twice born" referring to Lord Shiva beheading & restoring him with an elephant's head at the orders of Parvathi devi. Dvija Ganapathi has 4 heads & 4 arms. Totally white in colour. His arms hold a rudraksha, kamandalu, dhanda & pustaka.

8) Vijaya Ganapathi

Victorious Ganapathi. He has 8 arms. According to the Mudgala purana, a purana exclusively dedicated to Ganesha there is also another depiction of Vijaya Ganapathi which is different to this one. Shows him seated on the mookshika & has 4 arms.

9) Rinamochana Ganapathi

Rinamochana Ganapathi. "Ganapathi the liberator from debts" Ganesha is seated on a lotus flower. He is the remover of impediments. He has 4 arms & white in colour. He holds varada mudra, an ankusha, a paasa & a payasapaatra. Invoking this Ganesha will remove all obstacles.

10) Maha Ganapathi

Maha Ganapathi. He is the representation of Ganesha as the supreme parabrahman. Shakti seated on his lap is called Pushti (nourishment).He has 10 arms & red in colour. His hands hold a tusk, pomegranate fruit, musala, sugarcane dhanus, chakra, paasa, kamala, paddy & ratnapatra. Famous Carnatic composer Shri Muthuswami Dikshatar has composed a very famous song on this form of Ganesha called Mahaganapathim manasa smaraami.

11) Shrishti Ganapathi

Ganesha is invoked in this manifestation as the creator of everything that is known. He is red in colour, has 4 arms each holding a tusk, ankusha, paasa & a mango fruit.

12) Heramba Ganapathi

Ganesha, the protector of the weak. He has 5 heads & his vahana is a Simha. He has 10 arms. He holds a Abhaya mudra, a japamala, nimbu fruit, musala, ankusha, paasa, parashu, kadubu sweet, tusk & left arm holds varada mudra which is symbolic of boon giving. The colour of Heramba Ganapathi has to be golden yellow.

13) Kshipra Ganapathi

Kshipra Ganapathi. The Ganesha who is easy to please. He has 6 arms & is red in colour. His hands hold a tusk, a twig of a Kapila vriksha tree, an ankusha & a pomegranate fruit. With the trunk he carries a ratnakumbha.

14) Urddhva Ganapathi

Urddhva Ganapathi. Meaning the "Elevated Ganesha." carries in five of his hands a kalhara flower, ears of paddy, a bow made of sugarcane, the bana  & the tusk. With one of his arms he embraces Shakti about her hip. The colour of this Ganapathi is golden yellow and that of the associated Shakti is like that of the lightning. Unfortunately the trunk is broken here & the shakti too is cracked.

15) Simha Ganapathi

Simha Ganapathi. He is lion faced with an elephant trunk. He has 8 arms & is white in colour. With his arms he holds a Veena, a twig of the Kalpa vriksha, a chakra, a kamala, ratnakumbha, Abhaya & varada mudras. This form of Ganesha symbolizes great strength & courage.

16) Durga Ganapathi

Durga Ganapathi. "The invincible Ganesha" having the same attributes of Goddess Durga, who too is invincible. He has 8 arms & is golden in colour. He holds an ankusha, a bhana, a japamala, a paasa, a dhanus, a kalpa vriksha twig, an apple & is dressed in red clothes.

17) Tryakshara Ganapathi

Tryakshara Ganapathi. Known as the Lord of the three most auspicious letters AUM. 

He has 6 arms each holding a ankusha, a mango fruit, a tusk, a ghanta. He also holds the modaka sweet with his trunk.

18) Sadashiva Ganapathi

Sadashiva Ganapathi. Ganesha of the highest manifestation. He has 5 faces & 10 arms. Much similar to the Sadashiva iconography of Lord Shiva. His arms hold many weapons similar to Sadashiva & there is also a Shakti seated on Ganesha's lap. This is a very rare depiction.

19) Haridra Ganapathi

Haridra Ganapathi. Turmeric Ganesha. He has 4 arms & is yellow in colour. His hands hold a tusk, an ankusha, the paasa & the modaka sweet.

20) Uddanda Ganapathi

Uddanda Ganapathi. This is the Ganesha who enforces Dharma. He has 10 arms & is accompanied by a Shakti. He is red in colour. His 10 arms each hold a tusk, musala, kamala, paasa, ankusha, paddy, kamandalu, sugarcane dhanus, chakra, shanka & pomegranate fruit.

21) Vighna Ganapathi

Vighna Ganapathi. He has 8 arms & is golden in colour. His hands hold a tusk, a chakra, pushpa bana, shanka, paasa, ankusha, sugarcane, parashu.

22) Vara Ganapathi

Vara Ganapathi. Boon giver Ganesha. He has 4 arms & is red in colour with Shakti seated on his lap.

23) Uchchhishta Ganapathi

Uchchhishta Ganapathi. He has 6 arms & is blue in colour. He holds an akshamaala, a pomegranate fruit, a kamala, a veena, paddy. Shakti is seated on his lap. She is called Vigneshwari.

24) Sankatahara Ganapathi

Sankatahara Ganapathi. The Ganesha who removes sorrow. He has 4 arms & is red in colour. He is dressed in blue & seated on a red lotus flower. He holds a vessel with payasam along with an ankusha & a paasa.

25) Siddhi Ganapathi

Siddhi Ganapathi is depicted in a standing posture. He is the Ganesha who is the epitome of achievement & self mastery. He is golden yellow in colour & has 10 arms using which he holds parashu, ankusha, musala, mudgara, alamba, kuthara, kunta, paasa, sugarcane & mango fruit.

26) Bhakthi Ganapathi

Bhakthi Ganapathi. The Ganesha who is dear to his devotees & is pleasant to look at. He has 4 arms (damaged here.. So is the trunk) He holds a banana, a mango, coconut & a payasapaatra.

27) Kshirpra Prasada Ganapathi

Kshirpra Prasada Ganapathi. The Ganesha who quickly rewards his devotees. He has 8 arms (sometimes 6) and is red in colour. He holds a tusk, an ankusha, lotus flower, Kalpa vriksha leaf, paasa, lemon fruit with his arms.

28) Ekaakshara Ganapathi

Ekaakshara Ganapathi. In this form Ganesha is identified with the Bheejakshara "Gam" He has 4 arms & is red in colour. He holds a single tusk, an ankusha, the paasa & modaka sweet.

29) Ekdanta Ganapathi

Ekdanta Ganapathi. Ganesha with a single tusk. He has 4 arms & is blue in colour. He holds a tusk, a japamala, a kuthara (hatchet) & laddu sweet. The hatchet is held to signify cutting the bonds of ignorance.

30) Yoga Ganapathi

Yoga Ganapathi. Ganesha is in a yogic posture & red in colour. His hands hold a akshamaala & sugarcane. This particular unfortunately is damaged. The trunk too is damaged. Yoga Ganapathi is described as wearing a robe which shines like the blue sapphire gem.

31/32) Panchamukha Ganapathi

Panchamukha Ganapathi. 5 faced Ganesha. While the Mudgala purana mentions a Dvimukha(two faced) & Trimukha(three faced) Ganapathi separately, this Temple at Nanjangudu has a murthi of Panchamukha Ganapathi instead. He is called Kadrimukha Ganapathi. He has 5 faces & 10 arms.

I have also written on 25 different forms of Lord Shiva from the same Temple that can be read HERE

And also on 10 different forms of Lord Dakshinamurthy from the same Temple that can be read HERE

References

Elements of Hindu Iconography by TA Gopinath Rao

Ten forms of Shri Dakshinamurthy from the Srikanteshwara Swamy Temple at Nanjangudu.

Dakshinamurthy is an aspect of Lord Shiva where he is depicted as a Guru (teacher) of Yoga, music & science. He came to be known as Dakshinamurthi since he taught the rishis; Yoga & Jnana facing Dakshina (South direction). Shri Adi Shankaracharya has praised this aspect of Lord Shiva in his Shri Dakshinamurthy Stotram. 

Dakshinamurthy is viewed in mainly four different aspects; as a teacher of Yoga, as a teacher of Veena, as a teacher of Jnana & as a teacher of various other Shastras. Apart from these 4 main aspects we will also be taking a look at few other aspects depicted at the Nanjangudu temple.

Various aspects of Shri Dakshinamurthy

1) Veena Dakshinamurthy

Veena Dakshinamurthy

This form of Lord Shiva represents his music teacher aspect. Here he is seen with 4 arms. In the front right hand he holds akshamaala, a naga (snake) in the rear right hand symbolizing tantric knowledge. Veena with left rear hand & palm leaf text with the front left.

2) Samba Dakshinamurthy

Samba Dakshinamurthy

Unfortunately the murthi's upper right arm is damaged. He holds an Abhaya mudra with front right hand & a text in the front left. He is initiating knowledge to his disciples.

3) Yoga Dakshinamurthy

Yoga Dakshinamurthy

Here he is sitting in the Utkutikaasana here. His back arms hold an aksha maala & Kamandalam respectively. While the front are in Abhaya mudra & varda position. He also is holding sacred texts with the left hand indicating he is imparting knowledge.

4) Samhaara Dakshinamurthy

Samhaara Dakshinamurthy

Unlike other forms, here he is not seated. He holds Apasmara, who is the personification of ignorance down with his right knee & left leg. His right hand is in Abhaya position & left arm rests on his left knee. He also holds an antelope with left upper hand. Antelope is the personification of chanchalata i.e. restlessness & anxiety. Dakshinamurthy by holding & 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.

5) Shakti Dakshinamurthy

Shakti Dakshinamurthy

Depicts goddess Parvati seated on his lap. Rear right hand holds a Kamandalam, left hand holds a palm leaf manuscript of knowledge. Both him & Parvathi are holding Abhaya mudra with right arm, while his left arm rests on Parvathi's thigh.

6) Jnana Dakshinamurthy

Jnana Dakshinamurthy

Jnana Dakshinamurthy is also referred to as Medha Dakshinamurthy. He holds an akshamaala with front right hand while his left rests on the knee. Here too he is sitting in Utkutikaasana posture.

7) Anusthana Dakshinamurthy

Anushtana Dakshinamurthy

This is also slight departure from the regular description of Dakshinamurthy. Here its the left foot that rests on the ground as opposed to the usual right leg. Its a very rare depiction only seen at a handful temples. It shows him in deep penance.

8) Vyakhyana Dakshinamurthy

Vyakhyana Dakshinamurthy

Here he holds the Vyakhyanamudra, which represents the gesture of teaching. There are also one other forms of the same, which is one of the most common depictions of Dakshinamurthy. In most of the temples he is depicted as Vyakhyanamurthy.

9) Vidhya Dakshinamurthy

Vidhya Dakshinamurthy

Vidhya Dakshinamurthy. He holds a Veena with his upper right arm while the lower arms are in the Abhaya & Varada poses. His matted hair is thick & long. Also observe the Chandra (moon).

10) Vatamoola Dakshinamurthy

Vatamoola Dakshinamurthy

Vatamoola Dakshinamurthy

Here he is depicted as sitting beneath the Vata vruksha (Banyan tree). The tree represents the expanding universe, suggesting Dakshinamurthy presides over the cyclic process of sristhi (creation), sthiti (preservation) & samhara (absorption).

I've written another post detailing 25 forms of Lord Shiva known as Panchavimshatililamurti from the same temple that can be read Here