In the Shaivite tradition, Nandi is considered the main guru of the Nandinath sect. Eight Disciples of Nandi – Sanak, Sanatan, Sanandan, Sanathkumar, Tirumular, tiger pad, Patanjali, And Shiva is a sage. He had sent these eight disciples to propagate Shaivism in eight directions. Nandi literally means bull. Nandi is the vehicle of Shiva. According to some scholars, this bull was originally an animal form of Shiva., But after the Kushan period in the first century, he came to be considered a Gana of this God.
The gatekeeper of the abode of Kailashadhipati Shiva, Nandi, famous as Shiva’s vehicle, is worshiped in the form of Vrishabha, revered in Shiva temples, pagodas. Most Shiva temples feature a white, humpback bull sitting on a high platform, relentlessly admiring the linga, the symbolic form of Lord Shiva, facing the entrance of the temple. This is one of the main ganas of Shiva, Nandi. Nandi in Sanskrit means happiness or joy. Nandi is also known by other names like Nandishvara, Nandi, Nandikeshwar, Nannandikesh, Nandikeshwar, Nadia, Shivavahan, Shiladanandan, Shiva Bhakta, Kailash Dwarpal, Tandu, Suyashanath etc. His father Shilad Muni did penance to get Lord Shankar in the form of a son. Pleased with his penance, Lord Shiva granted him a boon that he would be born as his son. While pulling the plow, that is, while plowing the land, Shilad Muni had received a child from the ground, which he named Nandi. Nandi’s wife’s name is Suyasha. Nandi is considered a symbol of strength and hard work. Nandi has a special significance in Shivopasana.
In the Shaivite tradition, Nandi is considered the main guru of the Nandinath sect. Nandi’s eight disciples are Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana, Sanatkumar, Tirumular, Vyaghrapada, Patanjali, and Sivayoga Muni. He had sent these eight disciples to propagate Shaivism in eight directions. Nandi literally means bull. Nandi is the vehicle of Shiva. According to some scholars, this bull was originally an animal form of Shiva, but after the Kushan period in the first century, it came to be considered as a Gana of this god. In sculptures he is depicted as a dwarf figure of a bull with the face of a bull. Nandi is also known in the form of perfect humanity, which is called Nandikeshwar or Adhikaranandin. His sculptures in human form are found at the entrances of many Shiva temples in South India, in which he is depicted with similar features such as the third eye, the crescent in the hair, four arms, two of which have a parashu and a deer. Seeing him in this form, people mistakenly mistook the idol of Lord Shiva.
The reason for the respect given to the bull in modern India is its association with Shiva. In holy cities like Varanasi, bullocks are allowed to roam freely on the roads. He is considered to be the property of Shiva and the trident symbol of Shiva is erected on his side. Various stories are mentioned in the mythological texts regarding Shiva-Nandi. Once Shiva was staying with Parvati, and Nandi was doing the work of guard. At the same time, when sage Bhrigu came to see Shiva, Nandi stopped him from going inside the cave. On this, Bhrigu cursed, but as per the orders of Shiva and Parvati, Nandi continued to block the path without any hesitation. Once Ravana had lifted Mount Kailash on his hand. Nandi got angry and put such pressure with her feet that Ravana’s hand was suppressed. As long as he did not worship Shiva and did not ask for forgiveness from Nandi, Nandi did not leave him.
There is a legend related to the birth of Nandi and attaining Shivatva. When Sanatkumar asked Nandishvara about his being born from the part of Mahadev and attaining Shivatva, Nandishvara said – In very ancient times, a sage named Shilad did severe penance for a long time to please Indradev with the desire for the salvation of the ancestors. Satisfied with his tenacity, Devraj Indra appeared to give him a boon and asked him to ask for a boon, then Shilad praised Indra with respect from the sources and asked for the boon of getting a deathless Ayonij son. Listening to Shilad, Indra said that it is not possible to provide a deathless Aonij son, because from Vishnu to the grandfather Brahma, all are going to die, so what about the others? Yes, if Lord Shiva is pleased, he can provide a deathless Ayonij son. Indra went to his world after advising the sage to please Shiva.
Shilad worshiped the divine Mahadev for a thousand years. Pleased with his worship, Shiva appeared before Shilad and said – Shilad! Arise, I have come to give you a boon. Immersed in Shiva’s meditation and engrossed in samadhi, Shilad did not listen to Shiva’s call, so Shiva touched the sage with his hand. Due to which his tomb was broken. Seeing his adorable Uma-Shambhu in front of his eyes, the sage fell at his feet and started praising Shiva in a gleeful voice. On this Shiva asked Shilad to ask for the desired boon. On this Shilad demanded from Maheshwar to provide a deathless Ayonij son like him. Hearing this, Shiva said – There can be no other like me, so I myself will appear to you in the form of an Ayonij son named Nandi. You will get me the privilege of being the father of Loktrayi. In this way by giving a boon to Shilad, Shiva along with Parvati disappeared.
After some time, one day Shilad was plowing the Yagya area for the purpose of performing the Yagya. At the same time, by the order of Shiva, Nandi appeared in the form of his son in the form of a deluge like a blazing fire. Seeing the nature of the doomsday illuminated like the sun and fire and wearing the three-eyed, quadrangle, jata-crowned and trident etc., Shilad Muni named him Nandi. and took them to their hut. After reaching the leaf hut, Nandi renounced that form and assumed a human body. Shilad, the son of Shankalayana (Shalankayan), who had great affection for Nandi, performed the entire caste rituals etc. of Nandi. At the age of five, Shilad got Nandi to study the Vedas and scriptures. In the seventh year, two sages, Varun Sajnaka, came to see Nandi on the orders of Shiva. Seeing Nandi thoroughly, the sages said – O tat! We have not seen such a transcendent child in all the scriptures, but this is your son Nandi of a small stage. Its age is only one year and will be.
Hearing such words, father Shilad started crying in a loud voice. When Nandi saw the father crying and asked the reason for this, Shilad said that I am saddened by the news of your death at a young age. Hearing this, Nandi, consoling her father, said – God, demon, Yamraj, Kaal and any human being try to kill me, even if I will not die in my young age, do not be sad because of this. Saying this, after bowing his head at the feet of his father and doing his circumambulation, Nandi went to the best forest. And being engrossed in the supreme meditation of Panchmukh Sadashiv in a secluded place, while chanting the Rudra Mantra with a concentrated mind, he started doing very difficult and difficult austerities. Then, being pleased, Sadashiv appeared with Parvati and said – I am satisfied with your tenacity, you demand the desired boon. Seeing Shiva and Parvati in front, Nandi started praising them by bowing their heads at their feet. On this, Paramesh Vrishabhadhwaj touched Nandi with both hands and said – O Vatsa! Where are you afraid of death? I had sent those two brahmins, you are like me, there is no doubt about it. You will be immortal, immortal, painless, imperishable, inexhaustible and dear to me, along with the Father and the Suhrijjans. Saying this, he took off the garland made of his lotus flowers and put it in the gorge of Nandi.
As soon as wearing that beautiful garland in the gorge, Nandi with three eyes, ten arms became the second Shiva. Vrishabhadhwaj took the pure water like a necklace from his hair and sprinkled it on the Nandi, saying it was a river. Five auspicious rivers – Jatodka, Trisrota, Vrishadhvani, Swarnondaka and Jambu river originated from that water and started flowing. This page country of the most holy Shiva named Panchanad is present near Japeshwar. Shiva anointed Nandi to the post of Ganeshwar. Parvati declared Shilad’s son Nandi as the great-loving son. After anointing Shiva’s Nandi as the chief among his loved ones and the overlord of all the Ganas, Nandi married the most beautiful daughter of Marut named Suyasha by the order of Brahma. At the time of marriage, Nandi, who was sitting on the graceful throne with the beautiful beauty Suyasha, was decorated with a crown by Lakshmi, the goddess gave a divine necklace to her gorge. Nandi got white taurus, elephant and lion flag, gold necklace etc. After marriage, Shiva, seeing Nandi as his wife, said to the Supreme Preeti – Oh son! You will always be dear to me. Where you are, I will be there. Having said this, Shiva along with Uma went to Kailash.
