Lord Dakshinamurthi is Lord Siva manifest as the first teacher. It is said in the Puranas that Lord Brahma, the creator, in the beginning of creation created out of his mind four progeny known as the Sanatkumaras: Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanatkumara. It is said that Lord Brahma asked them to join him in the task of creation.
