Mythology:
The Vahana (mount) of Lord Shiva whose statue can often be seen in the temples of Lord Shiva, and also Shiva and Parvati on Nandi (Vrishabharudha Murti) statues are also seen in temples. People can be seen whispering their wishes in Nandi’s ear. They say Nandi carries all our wishes and delivers to Lord shiva. Shilada’s son, Nandi (one who brings bliss), is Maha dev’s most devoted follower. Shilada underwent tremendous penance in order to have a son like Mahadev or with his attributes.
When Nandi was born, his splendor was similar to Mahadev’s. Saints visited Shilada’s home one day when the child was around six years old. They met Nandi and informed the family that the youngster has a very short life and will pass away when he is eight.
Shilada became agitated, but Nandi endured years of painful penance before Mahadev eventually got what he wanted. In addition to removing Nandi’s dread of dying, Lord shiva also accepted him as a son because of his commitment.
When Nandi’s everlasting devotion and affection first caught Mahadev’s attention, he bestowed upon him the blessing that everyone who says their prayers in Nandi’s ears will be able to speak with Mahadev directly.
He has a wife named Suyasha. A devotee must first pray to Nandi-Suyasha, then Kartikeya and Ganesha with their respective wives, and finally ShivShakti, according to the Shiv Puran. Without Nandi’s blessings, Mahadev’s most fortunate and devoted follower, no one can reach Mahadev.
Nandi: The Great Devote and Lord Shiva’s Loved one
The most devoted follower of God Shiva, Nandi, was created solely for the purpose of serving Shiva. After doing years of penance for Shiva, Lord Shiva was appeased by Nandi, who bestowed the gift of immortality onto him and made Nandi His vehicle.
Nandi always sits in front of Shiva because he doesn’t want to lose the opportunity to see him and to demonstrate the idea that chanting Shiva’s name grants immortality to anyone. Nandi is the guardian of every Shiva temple and Mount Kailash.
Anyone who visits the Shiv temple must first pray to Nandi, please Him, and view the Shivling through the space between his two horns before explaining the reason for their visit or any requests they may have. Nandi’s two horns are thought to stand in for Shiva’s Trishul and Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra.
Nandi is not only the vahana of Lord Shiva but the best friend and great devotee of Lord Shiva. Nearly all Shiva temples have the Nandi-humped bull lying on a raised platform and staring at the shrine’s front door as the Lord appears in his figurative Shiva Lingam form.
After Samudra Manthan, a fatal venom catalyzed by Vasuki’s venom spread throughout the entire sea. The world was currently in a danger. Only Lord Shiva could save the dire situation, so he stepped forward.
Shiva sipped the poison after grabbing it in his palm. Parvati squeezed her husband’s neck out of fear that he would pass away, which in turn prevented the poison from reaching his throat. As the poison began to leak from his mouth, Nandi lunged forward and drank it all up.
As they watched, the devas and asuras expressed their amazement and questions about what would happen to Nandi. “Nandi has surrendered into me so fully that he has all my powers and my protection,” Lord Siva said, assuaging their anxieties.
Illustration of Nandi:
Nandi is typically portrayed as a massive bull that is seated, all of its limbs folded and facing Lord Shiva as seen in Carved Marble Nandi. He is either white or black and is wearing a bell necklace. He is also depicted in other places as a hybrid of a human and a bull, wearing an article of stunning clothing, decorations, and garlands, and holding a conch, a deer, and a staff, as well as blessing his followers.
The Importance Of Nandi:
It appears that the origins of the name “Nandi” are varied. The word’s meaning in Sanskrit is “happiness” or “joy,” which are attributes ascribed to Nandi Dev. It is stated that the Tamil word “Nandhu,” which means “to go” or “to flourish,” refers to Nandi’s flourishing as a holy bull.
In addition to serving as the Lord’s mount and the protector of his home, Nandi is also a wonderful preceptor, which contributes to his glory. Nandi is regarded by the ancient tradition of Shiva worship as a significant Guru and the leader of the Lord’s eight illustrious pupils who dispersed Shaivite knowledge in the eight directions.
Benefits Of Nandi Worship:
Nearly all Shiva temples place Nandi in a prominent position directly in front of the Shiva Lingam, where he is worshipped alongside the Lord. When particular worship is performed to Shiva during the holy Pradhosham period, it is also said that he dances between the horns of Nandi.
The largest Nandi statue in the entire globe is worshipped in the Maha Nandiswaraswamy temple in Andhra Pradesh, which is dedicated to this bull mount. Nandi is revered as a representation of power, knowledge, justice, and purity, and those who worship him can have their genuine desires granted.
Brief About The Topic:
Nandi is a Great devotee of Lord Shiva and chief of Gana’s. People can be seen whispering their wishes in Nandi’s ear. They say Nandi carries all our wishes and delivers to Lord shiva. A devotee must first pray to Nandi, then Kartikeya and Ganesha with their respective wives, and finally ShivShakti. Nandi is typically portrayed as a massive bull that is seated, all of its limbs folded and facing Lord Shiva.
He is worshipped as a representation of power, knowledge, justice, and purity, and those who worship him can have their genuine desires granted. The largest Nandi statue in the entire globe is worshipped in the Maha Nandiswaraswamy temple in Andhra Pradesh, dedicated to this bull mount.
