These verses are taken from various scriptures. It also helps paint a picture in one’s mind (iconography). It describes Dakshinamurti in a symbolic way – as the source of all spiritual wisdom, Vedic & Upanishadic wisdom. Preceding this are several other verses called Dhyana Shlokas. Therefore this stotram is recommended to be studied after the study of Shankara’s all other Vedantic texts. To understand this stotram in its true sense requires a Vedantic understanding and spiritual preparation.

Shankara takes all of the profound and complicated Vedanta and unfolds it in this poem in a delightful fashion. However, Shankara being the great scholarly teacher, uses his hymns wherever possible, to teach Vedanta. This stotram is primarily a prayer for the worship of Dakshinamurti and secondarily for worshiping any teacher as the form of God. Among all of Shankara’s works, this stotra stands out.

It is chanted as two separate words of 12 and 7 syllables. Thus the Dakshinamurti Stotram is Moksha Shastra, a scriptural teaching that can lead to one’s liberation. This stotra is also a superb work of poetry set in a meter known as Shardula Vikridita. This transformative knowledge is capable of destroying the Mula Avidya (fundamental ignorance) that is the ultimate cause for all suffering. The Dakshinamurti Stotram by Adi Shankaracharya contains some of the most profound teachings of Advaita Vedanta. Word by word meaning has been provided in English

Shyamala dandakam meaning word by word