Shiva’s divine manifestation is not simply of one as the great wandering ascetic or the celestial destroyer of the cosmos – but also as of the supreme guru, the lord of gnosis, the Jnana Dakshinamurthi. This ‘panchaloha’ bronze image, monumentally conceived by the skilled ‘sthapati,’ enthrones this form of Shiva in the heroic ‘lalitasana’ on a mountainous pedestal. In fact, Shiva’s head is symbolic of the summit of Mount Kailasha, his abode, and in this presentation, the axis mundi of the cosmos. The Dakshinamurthy’s stylisation as an erect figure is further symbolic of the bark of the tree under which Shiva imparts his knowledge – Shiva’s image in this manner is literally of one that supports growth and prosperity.Dakshinamurthi designates Shiva as the ‘Lord Who Faces South;’ moreover, the word ‘dakshina’ signifies the gift of respect and reverence that the pupils provide their gurus with. The pupils here – four sages seated at the base of the idol, are flanking the figure of Apasmara, the demon of ignorance that Shiva is using as a footstool for his pendent leg (Apasmara’s vanquishment comes from the Nataraja mythology of Shiva). The Dakshinamurthi’s indisputable command over gnosis is manifested with his various divine attributes: in the ‘vyakhyanamudra’ of imparting knowledge, Shiva is holding a rosary in the raised hand that performs the ‘abhaya mudra,’ while his other hands clutch onto the Vedas, the ‘damru,’ and a flame symbolising the eternal fire. Shiva’s matted hair, cascading downwards relates to the legend of the river goddess Ganga residing and flowing from his head. A five-headed snake is hooded over the figure of Shiva. The Dakshinamurthi image’s attention to inornate dressing alludes to the strict austerity Shiva upon the dissemination of gnosis. Hindu mythology has deliberated upon several aspects of Shiva as the Dakshinamurthi – including the form of the lord of music or Vinadhara Dakshinamurthi, and the supreme teacher of yoga or Yoga Dakshinamurthi. The Dakshinamurthi Upanishada details that throughout such forms, Shiva is said to have been understood as representing the supreme being, or ‘paramatman.’