Once, the sages of yore performed a great yajna in the Himãlayas and invited all the gods and other dignitaries including Rudra, His wife Sati Devi (also known as Dãkshãyani) and her father Daksha to participate in the yajna. Treating all those present with equal respect, Rudra did not show any special honor to Daksha. Out of his ignorance, however, Daksha considered this as a slight and reproached Rudra for His behavior and angrily left the yãgašãlã.Offended by Daksha's insult, Rudra also left the scene in anger. 

Soon thereafter, Daksha decided to perform a yagna and invited all the sages and gods except his daughter Dãkshãyani and Rudra. Learning of Daksha's proposed yagna and out of filial love, Dãkshãyani wanted to attend the sacrifice although uninvited. Despite Rudra's plea that she would be ill-advised to attend the yajna, Dãkshãyani went there anyway and as warned by Rudra, Daksha gave her a cold reception. Above all, she was horrified to notice that with the deliberate intention of slighting Rudra, Daksha offered oblations to all the gods except Rudra. Unable to bear the insult anymore, Sati praised her husband Rudra, censured Daksha for his crude behavior and cast off her body in a fire she created out of her yogic powers, thereby disrupting the yajna. 

Hearing of Sati's tragic end, the angry Rudra unleashed Veerabhadra created out of His matted locks and caused Daksha's death. Perturbed by these happenings, Brahmaji went to Rudra to pacify Him and requested Rudra to forgive Daksha for his transgressions. Out of compassion, Rudra went to the scene of the yajna and revived Daksha, Dãkshãyani and all others who perished in the confrontation.

Happily rejoining her husband Rudra in Kailas, Dãkshãyani expressed the desire to discard her name of Dãkshãyani associated with Daksha and wanted to be re-named. Thereafter, Rudra ordained that Sati be born as the daughter of His devotee Himavãn, the Parvata Rãja or King of mountains and thenceforward she would be known as Pãrvati and that when she reached marriageable age, He would marry her again.

Thus, while Pãrvati was growing up as Himavãn's child, Rudra was alone in Kailas absorbed in meditation. At that time, the four sons of Brahmaji and the seven rishis came to Kailas and lamented that despite their vast study of the scriptures, they were unable to experience inner bliss and requested Rudra to teach the subtle secrets, by knowing which they could attain salvation. Taking pity on them Rudra assumed the form of Šri Dakshinãmoorthy and remaining as their preceptor, began to teach them the profound Truths, by observing mouna or silence and showing the chinmudra by His hand. Thus Rudra or Lord Šiva Himself came to be known as Šri Dakshinãmoorthy.

Although Šri Dakshinãmoorthy is usually depicted as Jnãna Moorthi or Vyãkhyãna Moorthi silently teaching the profound Truths, He is also sometimes portrayed as Yoga Moorthi in a meditative posture or Veenãdhãra Moorthi as the teacher of music, both vocal and instrumental.

OM ŠRI DAKSHINÃMOORTHAYE NAMAHA