Saivam – siva – dakshinamurthy

Saivam is for worship of ‘Siva’ which means Mangalam. Lord Siva is worshipped in the Linga Form. “Lingam” literally means symbol. This semi-form indicates that He neither has a beginning nor an end. Also, Spatika Linga (Crystal Linga) has no colour of its own and reflects the colour of the object with which it comes into contact, reminding of how we appear to be the superimposed reflection of the five sheaths (panchakosham).

Lord Siva assumes the form of Lord Nataraja and through his cosmic dance teaches us that the entire creation is non-separate from Him and everything that happens is His divine sport. The Ananda Tandava posture of Nataraja represents pancakritya functions namely Shrithi, Stithi, Samhara, Tirobhava, Anugraha meaning creation, protection, destruction, delusion, grace.

From the vibrations of the Damaru in His hand, came Shabdam, an attribute of Akasha. From akasham came the other four elements – Vayu, Agni, Water and Earth. Lord Siva is in the form of Akasha at Chidambaram. This also correlates with Big Bang which also links creation to vibration.

• The arc of fire called Prabhavali (Thiruvasi) signifies the cosmos and the perpetual motion of the earth – indicating Protection.
• The fire in His Hand indicates the power of destruction.
• The demon Muyalakan (Apasmara) signifies that, ignorance is under His feet. This symbolizes his conquest of Maya, delusion.
• The raised hand (Abhayahasta or Pataka Mudra) signifies grace.
• The raised left foot (Kunchita Paada) is the source of Moksha

Adiguru Lord Dakshinamurthy is a form of Lord Siva who is seated in Veerasan under a banyan tree facing the South i.e. against the direction of death, his medium of teaching being maunam (quietitude). The Jnana Mudra, a symbol of knowledge and wisdom, is interpreted in this way – The thumb denotes Paramatma and the index finger denotes the jeevatna and the other three fingers denote the three states of life: Jagrat (Waking State), Swapna (Dream State) and Sushupti (Sleep State).

Adi Sankara is an avatar of Lord Siva. Dakshinamurthy Stotram which contains the essence of Advaitam was composed hy Him.

Lord Siva saved the world from disaster to save humanity by swallowing the poison generated when the Ocean of Milk was churned in Kurmavataram.

MAHA PRADOSHAM and SIVARATRI is celebrated at Sri Sankara Mattham in a grand manner. The uniqueness is that it starts with MAHANYASA EKADASA RUDRABHISHEKAM, followed by TRISATHI ARCHANA AND KRAMACHARNA is done with grandeur. SRI RUDRAM, the Central Portion of the Vedas chanted in praise of Shiva, describes Him as everything made of the five basic elements. Its centre is the Panchaksharam “NAMA SIVAYA”.