Introduction
Nandi, also called Nandikeshvara and Nandin, is the sacred bull who is the vehicle (vahana) of Shiva and the leader of Shiva's attendants, the Ganas. A statue of Nandi, seated and facing the sanctum, is found at the entrance of almost every Shiva temple. He is a symbol of strength, patience, devotion and dharma. He is not the son of Shiva.
Names and forms
Nandi is often called Vrishabha or Basava, the "bull". In Karnataka, the Lingayat saint Basava, a twelfth-century reformer, is named for him. Nandi is shown either as a bull, or as a human with a bull's head.
Birth and devotion
In the Puranas, the sage Shilada wanted a son who would not die. He performed austerities to Indra, but Indra refused to grant an immortal son. Shilada then prayed to Shiva. While he was ploughing the ground for a sacrifice, he found a child, Nandi. Shiva and Parvati adopted him as their child. He was destined to live only eight years, and Nandi performed severe penance until Shiva granted him immortality and made him the leader of the Ganas.
Role
Nandi is the doorkeeper of Kailasa, Shiva's home, and Shiva's mount. In many temples, devotees whisper their wishes into the ear of Nandi, so that he can carry them to Shiva. During the Pradosha worship, which happens at twilight on the thirteenth day of each lunar fortnight, Shiva is worshipped between the horns of Nandi.
Nandi in tradition
- Nandinatha: in the Shaiva tradition, the Nandinatha Sampradaya considers Nandi as the first guru of a lineage that includes the Tamil saint Tirumular, author of the Tirumandiram.
- The Kamasutra: a tradition says that Nandi was the first to compile the science of love, in a thousand chapters, later abridged by others.
- Ravana's curse: in the Ramayana's Uttara Kanda, Nandi, mocked by Ravana for his monkey-like face, cursed him that monkeys would be his destruction.
Famous images
The largest monolithic Nandi, at Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh, is about 4.5 metres high. The Nandi of the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, the Chamundi Hill in Mysuru, and the Bull Temple in Bengaluru are also well known.