Shiva
in the form of Dakshinamurti is regarded as the ultimate Guru - the embodiment
of knowledge and the destroyer of ignorance. This sumptuous Hindu bronze conveys
the lucid wisdom and power of this deity with elegance and finesse. Here Dakshinamurti’s
right foot calmly conquers the dwarf of ignorance. His right hand is in the jnana
mudra, the mudra of wisdom. The thumb denotes the God and the index finger denotes
the man. The other three fingers stand for the three congenital impurities of
man: arrogance, illusion and bad deeds of the past births. When man detaches himself
from these impurities he is said to embody as God. The left hand is in the abhaya
mudra, a gesture with the hand lifted above the thigh with palm facing out, fingers
pointing. The full fan of the tree of life wisdom in the back of the deity indicated
rooted flowering knowledge that like Shiva is cosmic in origin but accessible
to humankind. The four "xxxx" on either corner anchor down the
four corners of the world. This statue is highly compelling and is in excellent
condition.
