Nandikeshwara
The ornate idol of Nandikeshwara, or Nandi, as he is popularly known, is the most ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and also the custodian of Mount Kailash. Nandi's story is less well-known than that of Bhakt Prahlad, but it is just as interesting. Nandi was born after his father, Sage Shilada, prayed intensely to Lord Shiva for an immortal child.
Nandi was highly gifted, with knowledge of the Vedas and Puranas, as well as many other disciplines. When told he had a short life, Nandi had faith in Lord Shiva and performed a yajna with intense meditation, which pleased his god. Lord Shiva then transformed Nandi into his vahana, with the face of a bull.
There are several other stories and theories about Nandi in different scriptures, such as the story of Nandi being born as a whale to get Maa Parvati back to his master, Lord Shiva.
Nandi as seen at the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu.
Nandikeshwara
The ornate idol of Nandikeshwara, or Nandi, as he is popularly known, is the most ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and also the custodian of Mount Kailash. Nandi's story is less well-known than that of Bhakt Prahlad, but it is just as interesting. Nandi was born after his father, Sage Shilada, prayed intensely to Lord Shiva for an immortal child.
Nandi was highly gifted, with knowledge of the Vedas and Puranas, as well as many other disciplines. When told he had a short life, Nandi had faith in Lord Shiva and performed a yajna with intense meditation, which pleased his god. Lord Shiva then transformed Nandi into his vahana, with the face of a bull.
There are several other stories and theories about Nandi in different scriptures, such as the story of Nandi being born as a whale to get Maa Parvati back to his master, Lord Shiva.
Nandi as seen at the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu.