Daksinamurti is a master of yoga as well as the universal teacher and guru. He is showing the hand gestures Jnanamudra and Varadamudra which mean the imparting of knowledge and the bestowing of gifts. Daksina means South and is the direction he was facing while he taught the sages in the Himalayas.
Ardhanarisvara is half man and half woman. He represents the natural bipolar order of the world. He also promotes the idea of women being both equal and complementary to men.
Pancanana/Panchanana is Shiva's five faced form. The five faces are Isana, Tatpurusa, Aghora, Vamadeva, and Sadyojata, each one has power over something important. Isana, also known as Sadasiva is turned toward the Zenith, and is the highest aspect. It is represents earth, sky, and grants Moksa (liberation). Tatpurusa looks to the East, represents air and the spiritual forces of darkness or obscuration. Aghora faces South, ruling over fire, the power to absorb and renovate the Universe. Vamadeva faces North for water and preservation. Sadyojata looks to the West with the power of creation.
Sankaranarayana is one half Shiva and one half Vishnu. The two opposing cults came to peace with each other and decided to combine their Gods into one, representing equality between the two cults and their Gods.
Ardhanarisvara is half man and half woman. He represents the natural bipolar order of the world. He also promotes the idea of women being both equal and complementary to men.
