Sri Medha Dakshinamurthy Temple

Sri Medha Dakshinamurthy Temple is located inside Vathanyeswarar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is in Mayiladuthurai- Tamilnadu.This temple is highly popular for the Medha Dakshinamurthy (Guru Bhagawan) shrine. This temple built by Cholas is considered as one of the Pancha Dakshinamoorthy Sthalams around Mayiladuthurai.In this temple, lord Dakshinamurthy is known as Medha Dakshinamurthy. Medha means wisdom or Gnanam, as he is believed to give knowledge.

The word Dakashinamurthy has two meanings. One straight meaning is that he is facing south. No god faces that direction as lord Yama – god of death, is believed to be in southern direction. Since Dakashinamurthy is facing south, he seems to be unafraid of Yama or death hence he is also called Mrithyunjaya meaning victory on death.

Legend
Once, Lord Shiva decided to visit Mayiladuthurai along with Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. Nandi (Rishaba), mount of Lord Shiva, in an arrogant display of high speed rushed a long way ahead leaving behind Garuda and Anna Vahana. Also, he felt proud that he was above all as he was carrying Lord Shiva on his back. The Lord coming to know of it, wanted to teach him a lesson. He just placed a strand from the matted hair of his head on Rishaba.

Unable to bear its weight, Rishaba felt crushed and immediately realized his mistake. He prostrated before the Lord Shiva and sought his pardon. Then Shiva not only pardoned him but also initiated him into the divine wisdom. Hence lord Shiva took the form of guru and Rishaba Deva continued to serve him as his mount and asked Rishaba Deva to be in the river Cauvery. He also directed Ganga and other rivers to flow into Cauvery on new moon day in the Tamil month of Aipasi. Hence the river at this place came to be known as Rishabha Theertham.

Here Dakshinamurthy is in sitting posture with his right hand in chinmudra, left hand holding books. Unique feature of this temple is- the lord is sitting on Nandi and preaching Rishabha Deva who is seated in front of him. Since lord is Gnana Murthy, he is also called Vallalar. The tank adjoining the temple is also called Gnanamrutha Saras or Pancha Brahma Teertham.

Planet Jupiter worshipped Lord Dakshinamurthy to attain the power of granting boons to those worshipping him.Chamundi, one of the Saptha Matrikas worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple seeking relief from the dosha of killing demon Mahishasura.It is also believed that Sage Kanva prayed here for getting relief for his adopted daughter Shakuntala from Guru Dosham.Lord Vishnu prayed here to obtain relief from the sin on killing the wife of Bhrigu Maharishi.It is believed that Lord Brahma prayed here for getting back his power of creation.