Shankar Version 2

SHANKAR: This is a rare representation of Lord Shiva in his form as Dakshinamurthy or the teacher. In the scriptures, he is described as a young preacher. Lord Shiva is seen seated in a yogic posture with one leg bound with a cloth band (yoga-patta) and his gaze or vision is steadfast and unwavering. His right hand is held in the vyakhyana-mudra or the gesture of imparting knowledge.

This print from the Ravi Varma Press derived from a painting by Raja Ravi Varma probably follows the description of Dakshinamurthy as stated in the Uttara-kamika and Shilpa-ratna where Dakshinamurthy is described with his leg bound in a yoga-patta and seated under a tree. He is typically surrounded by sages, students, spirits who are his students. In this print, the students are depicted as a single boy, facing his Guru in supplication.