View allAll Photos Tagged Surrender
Suddenly everything halts to a full stop
(in a screeching railroads kind of way)
And all I can do now
is listen to the whispering wisdom
in the wind and the water
patiently telling us to lower the pace
and surrender to nature.
Lumix FZ2000 pre-production.
In this photo you see Japanese represeentatives on board the USS Missouri on Sept. 2, 1945 in preperation to sign the Surrender of Japan to the US.
"Standing in front are:
Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu (wearing top hat) and General Yoshijiro Umezu, Chief of the Army General Staff.
Behind them are three representatives each of the Foreign Ministry, the Army and the Navy. They include, in middle row, left to right:
Major General Yatsuji Nagai, Army;
Katsuo Okazaki, Foreign Ministry;
Rear Admiral Tadatoshi Tomioka, Navy;
Toshikazu Kase, Foreign Ministry, and
Lieutenant General Suichi Miyakazi, Army.
In the the back row, left to right (not all are visible):
Rear Admiral Ichiro Yokoyama, Navy;
Saburo Ota, Foreign Ministry;
Captain Katsuo Shiba, Navy, and
Colonel Kaziyi Sugita, Army."
Names taken from the Naval Historical Center website.
I named this piece Surrender because thats exactly what I had to do to create her. I had a totally different idea of who she was supposed to be . Sometimes I feel like my art doesn't come from me but rather through me, in the end they always become who they were meant to be!
Ok i have been up for about three hours debating on putting this photo up. It has been a lot of work putting this image together I have about 20 layers to this image. It was an image that was dreamed up in my sleep, this women is having everything pulled from her. Maybe she has just been through to much? Maybe she has given up all hope? She is letting it all out as she is being pulled through the air. Life is to short to keep all of our anger, sadness, and discontent inside of our human bodies. The universe is always asking us to free ourselves of these chains. I say to you all never let your fear and sadness keep you down, surrender it all and let it be pulled from your body and soul. Stay strong and remember that we all have something great to offer in this life. I would love to have some feedback on this image. Thank you all and have a safe week.
Later Friends!
Urbex Session : Manoir des peintures (BE) , 06.2013
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This 26-foot-high statue in Sarasota, Florida was inspired by a famous photograph taken in New York's Times Square on V-J Day in 1945 of a World War II sailor bending over to kiss a nurse.
Copyright © P.J. Cook, all rights reserved. It is an offence to copy, use or post this image anywhere else without my permission.
Finding the original photo by John Arther Carr offered the association with "The Wizard of Oz" but before searching it out I thought it was about the logo for "Les Misérables."
Japanese officers surrendered their swords as a public humiliation. These two swords (on mount) were surrendered by the Japanese generals commanding the Air Army in Malaya and the Air Division in Burma to New Zealander Air Chief Marshall Sir Keith Park, Commander-in-Chief Allied Air Forces South East Asia, at the formal surrender ceremony in Singapore on 12 September 1945.
[museum label]
Much thanks to Phil Romans for allowing me to use his Tree in fog image.
Thanks to cloaks for her wonderful texture and to Marcus Ranum for his beautiful models - Drac Bride & Kithos in White.
HISTORIC AVATAR DECLARATION DAY - 20th October, 1940
The year 1940 was very significant. Satyanarayana Raju - Sathyam, Raju, Sathya, as he was affectionately called by his play mates, classmates, villagers, members of his family and even his teachers revealed his identity, his reality in three phases The first one was in 8th March 1940; the second one on May 23rd and the final Declaration on 20th October, the same year, which brought a total change in the entire town of Uravakonda. Sathya from that day onwards gave up his studies – declared that he was Sai Baba and that his devotees are calling him and that he would carry on his task and left the house and family.
On the twentieth day of October, 1940, Sathya started for school as usual at Uravakonda. The Excise Inspector of the place, Sri Anjaneyulu, who was very much attached to the young Baba, accompanied Him as far as the school gate and reluctantly went home. He seemed to see a superb halo around the face of Baba that day, and he could not take his eyes away from that enchantment. Within a few minutes Baba also turned back to the house. Standing on the outer doorstep, He cast aside the books He was carrying and called out, "I am no longer your Sathya. I am Sai." The sister-in-law came from the kitchen and peeped out; she was almost blinded by the splendour of the halo which she saw around Sai Baba's Head! She closed her eyes and shrieked. Baba addressed her, "I am going. I don't belong to you; Maya (illusion) has gone; My devotees are calling Me; I have My Work. I cannot stay any longer." So saying, He turned and left in spite of her pleadings. The brother hurried home on hearing of this, but Sai Baba only told him, "Give up all your efforts to 'cure' Me. I am Sai. I do not consider Myself related to you." Neighbour Sri Narayana Sastri heard the noise; he listened and realized that it was something serious. He ran in. Seeing the splendour of the halo, he fell at Sai Baba's Feet. He too heard the historic declaration: "Maya has left; I am going; My Work is waiting."
Seshama Raju was non-plussed. He could hardly collect his wits to meet the new situation. A boy, just fourteen, talking of devotees, work, illusion, and the philosophy of "belonging"! He could think of only one plan. Sathya was entrusted to him by his parents, and it was therefore his task to inform them and keep Sathya in the house until they came to Uravakonda for Him.
But Sathya would not step into the house again. He moved out into the garden of Sri Anjaneyulu's bungalow and sat on a rock in the midst of the trees. People came into the garden from all directions bringing flowers and fruits. The very first song which He taught the astonished mass of humanity was an invitation to surrender to the Feet of the Guru who had so mercifully appeared. It also contained a lesson that Baba has always emphasized since then that Bhajan or reverential adoration must be a mental upsurge, not an oral exercise. It ran thus:
Manasa Bhajare Guru Charanam,
Dustara Bhava Sagara Taranam
Guru Maharaj Guru Jai Jai
Sai Natha Sad Guru Jai Jai
"Meditate in thy mind on the Feet of the Guru.
This can take you across the difficult sea of existence in birth after birth." (Sathyam Sivam Sundaram Part I)
I held the hand of Narayana Raju, the then Municipal Commissioner of Bellary and asked, “What is this?” He said, “It is my hand.” I took out the pen from his pocket and asked, “What is this?” “It is my pen”, he said. “You say, it is my hand, my pen, my body, my mind, my senses, etc. The word ‘my’ indicates that you are different from all this. Then who are you? I asked him. Then everyone started thinking, “Yes, what Raju says is correct. We say, this mine and that is mine, but we do not know who we are.” Everybody was silent. They accepted that they did not know their true identity. I told them that I had come down in human form only to make people realise their true identity.
It is the eye that sees and the mind that thinks. (Showing the ring and handkerchief. On what basis can you say that it is a handkerchief? You say, my mind is the basis for all this. What is mind? Whom does it belong to? You do not know. What you think you know, in reality, you do not know, that is your true Self. Make efforts to realise it.
From that day (20th October 1940) onwards, many seekers of Truth started visiting Me. They used to say,”Raju, What You are saying is correct. But how are we to realise our true identity?” People quote from scriptures and talk high philosophy but do not know their real meaning. “You say, this is my ring, my body, my handkerchief, so on and so forth. Then who are you?” I questioned them. They had no answer. Then I started explaining thus: “There are two important aspects that you have to consider, one is Drishyam (seen) and the other is Drastha (seer). Yad Drishyam Thannasyam (all that is seen is bound to perish). So, whatever you is only an illusion. You are Drashta that is your true identity.”
The English lecturer, H.S. Ramana was a noble person. His house was on the way to My school. He used to sit in the front verandah of his house. As soon as he saw Me, he used to call 'Raju!’, take Me into his house and offer Me coffee and snacks. But, I was not interested in these worldly things. Earlier I used to address him as 'Sir’. But, from that day onwards, the worldly relationship of teacher-student had ceased between us. I used to tell him that all that was seen by the eye is merely Drishyam, which was perishable and that one day one had to go beyond and search for the Drastha. From that day onwards wherever I went and whomever I met, I used to teach these higher principles.
The, one day Ramana called Seshama Raju and told him. ”Seshama Raju! Do not trouble yourself much in trying to understand the behaviour of Sathyam. This boy is delving deeper and deeper into the mysteries of life. It is not possible for anybody to fathom His true nature. Let us wait for some time and see”, saying thus, he took Me into his house and offered snacks, coffee, meals, etc., with great love. Poor man! He did not realise that I was never interested in those worldly maters. I did not touch any of those food stuffs. In My view, they were all worldly things which underwent constant change. They were never permanent. I explained to him, “you brought this Upma for Me. How real is this stuff? Only till one consumes it. What happens o it after eating? Nobody can see its shape thereafter. It just disappears. You are all considering these unreal worldly things as real.” Thus, I started teaching them higher Vedantic concepts. H.S.Ramana was astonished at MY knowledge of these higher principles. Till then, he was addressing Me as Raju! Raju!” But, from then on he started addressing Me as ‘Guruji’! Holding My feet, he pleaded with Me “Guruji! Please come to my house.” Those who were witnessing the scene were amazed that this elderly gentleman was holding the feet of this young boy, his student. Then Ramana declared in front of all those people, “Not only me; a day will come when the entire world will fall at His Feet.” The people gathered there on that occasion were all powerful, holding high positions in society. There was a neighbour by name Ramnarayana Sastri, who was an astrologer. He was called in and appraised of all those higher truths of life which I was explaining to them. Sri Sastri was amazed at My knowledge of Vedantic concepts at such a young age and shed tears of joy. One or two drops of tears fell at MY feet. From then onwards, everybody in Uravakonda started addressing Me as Sathya Sai Baba. I told them that I had come only for the purpose of revealing this truth. Unable to comprehend the full truth about My revelations, some of them questioned Me, “How can You declare Yourself to be Sai Baba?’ I just took some flowers in My hand and threw them on the floor. Lo and behold! The flowers arranged themselves as Sathya Sai Baba in Telugu letters. On witnessing this miracle, they were wonderstruck and dumbfounded! Then, everybody started chanting in chorus “Sathya Sai Baba Ki Jai”, “Sathya Sai Baba Ki jai”!
I emphatically told them that this was a name which they themselves had ascribed to Me and, in fact, I had no name at all! I declared thus on the occasion thus:
Know that I am Sai in reality,
Cast off your worldly relationships.
Give up your efforts to restrain Me,
The worldly attachments can no longer bind me,
None, however great he may be, can hold Me. (Telugu Poem)
I got up and started walking away. In the meanwhile, all those assembled there including Ramana and Sastri tried to follow Mw, but to strive for self- introspection and mental transformation. Since I am not the body, none can hold Me. Therefore, I advised them to follow My ideals. Only then can they realise My true nature.
In this vast expanse of the universe, right from the minutest atom to the mightiest, everything is permeated by the Atmic reality. It appears as minutest of the minute and mightiest of the mighty. In fact, the principles of microcosm and macrocosm is the fundamental reality which You have to enquire into. That is why Ramana Maharshi used to say, “Enquire, who you really are?’
You are not a single entity.
You are. In fact, three in one,
The one you think you are, (body)
The one others think you are (mind) and
The one you really are (Atma).
The Atma is known as conscience and the body which consists of the senses is called conscious. The Chaitanya (consciousness) which is present in all, transcends the senses. There is yet another principle that is beyond consciousness. It is called Super consciousness.
In the earlier days, not many people knew who Sai Baba was. He was considered a Muslim saint. When I first returned to Puttaparthi declaring Myself as Sai Baba, people thought that I had taken a Muslim name. But, no one can bind Me to a particular religion like Hinduism or Islam.
The Vaishnavites say that the Lord Vishnu is the greatest
While the Saivaites declare that Lord Siva is the greatest of all. Ganapatyas (the worshippers of Ganapati) declare that Ganapati is the greatest.
The educated say Goddess Sarada is the greatest.
Shaaktas (worshippers of Shakti) proclaim that Goddess Shakthi is the greatest.
My devotees say I am the greatest. Some others say all are one.
People may speak on the basis of their feelings but in truth,
There is only one GOD and that the rest are names. (Telugu Poem)
Different people may ascribe different names to the Atmic Reality and try to define it in different ways. But The underlying Atma Tattwa is one and the same. This truth has to be explained to the people in an understandable language. You can see that thee some houses beyond. In the front portion of the house, you will find a verandah; then a living room and then kitchen. Thereafter, you will find a bathroom and a toilet. Thus, there are different names for different utilities. How did they acquire these names? It is only because they are so divided by walls, for different purposes. But, the truth is they are all parts of the same house. Similarly, different people have different relationships with people like mother, brother, etc. From where did you acquire these relationships? Everything is your making. Remove these barriers. What remains is a vast expanse of oneness. One person refers to Divinity as Atma, another refers it as Brahman and the third one calls it as Vishnu. These are only names ascribed by human beings in the nameless, formless, attributeless Divinty. The Brahma Tattwa is one that has no names ascribed to it.
Where did this Brahma come from? The Atmic consciousness that permeates every living being is referred as Brahman. When it is individualised, it is called conscience. It is also referred to as Jiva. When the Atma Tattwa is encased in a body, it becomes an individual. The individual, the Atma and consciousness – ALL THE THREE ARE ONE AND THE SAME. People think they are different because they are given different names. Remove the names. There is only one Atma Tattwa in every individual. It has no form. It assumes different forms by joining different individuals. Supposing you name this object (showing handkerchief) as Atma. It is a handkerchief in common parlance. But, when you look at it from a spiritual angle, it is an object. I call it a thread. Again, after some time I refer to it as cotton; whether we call it as hand kerchief or thread or cotton, it refers to only one object. Only different names are given to the object. Take for instance the names of Rama and Krishna. Rama was not born with particular name. He was christened Rama only after His birth. Similarly, the name of Krishna. Since He was an embodiment of bliss, He was referred to as Krishna. Akarshana sakkti Iti Krishna( because He attracts, He is Krishna). But, His real nature is Ananda. He is Ananda Swarupa (embodiment of bliss) The same principle has taken different names. This one single principle Ananda is:
Brahmanandam, Parama Sukhadam, Kevalam Jnanamurtim,
Dwandwateetam, Gagana Sadrisham, Tattwamasyadi Lakshyam,
Ekam, Nityam, Vimalam, Achalam, Sarvadhee Sakshibhutam,
Bhavateetam Trigunarahitim
(God is the embodiment of Supreme bliss, He is wisdom absolute, the One without a second, beyond the pair of opposites, expansive and pervasive like the sky, the goal indicated by the Mahavakya Tattwamasi, the eternal, pure, unchanging, the witness of all functions of the intellect, beyond al mental conditions and the three Gunas of Sathwa, Rajas, and Thamas).
Divinity has no attributes. How can one give a name to it? Since it is not possible to assign any particular name to this principle, they named it as Atma. This Atma Tattwa is permeating every individual. It has no specific form. Explaining thus, I told those people that it is only for making them realise this principle that I have come. Then, Seshama Raju put a big question. He was a Telugu Pandit. Whatever question he put, had a certain value. He questioned, “Who are You?’ I answered. “Since you are calling Me as Sathya, I am Sathya. Since you are referring to Me as your brother, I am your brother, Since you call Me as a student, I am a student. By whatever name and form you refer to Me, I assume that name and form. In fact, no one is able to realise the truth, No one has any relationship whatsoever with Me. Call Me by any name, I will answer. If you call Me “Sai”, I will answer. If you call Me, “Baba”, I will respond. By whatever name you call Me, it is the same for Me. All these names are only names ascribed to Me. I have, in fact, come to make you realise thus truth” (DD 20th & 21st October 2003 p 7/12)
Bhagawan Baba Assures us: "Call Me whenever you need Me; I shall be with you". All belong to Me and I belong to all. My only wealth is love. Do not entertain any doubt or weakness. I am ready to give whatever you require. Be courageous. Why fear when I am here? "
(See links). Fort Pulaski National Monument is located on Cockspur Island between Savannah and Tybee Island, Georgia. It is also located about 15 miles away from Historic Savannah Georgia. For much of the 19th century, masonry fortifications were the United States’ main defense against overseas enemies. However, during the Civil War, new technology proved its superiority to these forts. The Union army used rifled cannon and compelled the Confederate garrison inside Fort Pulaski to surrender. The siege was a landmark experiment in the history of military science and invention.
A massive five-sided edifice, Fort Pulaski was constructed in the 1830s and 1840s on Cockspur Island at the mouth of the Savannah River. Fort Pulaski National Monument has one of the best preserved nineteenth century masonry fortifications in the United States.
Fort Pulaski National Monument - Facebook (1)
With diverse terrain ranging from sun-dappled trails to marsh and small beaches, Fort Pulaski is ideal for history buffs and nature lovers alike. Civil War landmark with ranger tours, musket & canon firings plus riverfront hiking & biking trails.
The monument was named after the Revolutionary War Hero Casimir Pulaski and was established as a National Monument by President Calvin Coolidge in October of 1924.
Fort Pulaski. Historic War Site. - Facebook (2)
Today the National Park Service strives to protect restore and manage the Fort Pulaski National Monument for all people to enjoy The construction of Fort Pulaski began in early 1829 and was initially overseen by Major Samuel Babcock. Unfortunately the Major had some major health issues so the burden of construction fell to a recent West Point graduate Robert E. Lee. Lee was transferred in 1831 and Lieutenant Joseph K. F. Mansfield took charge of the fort’s construction until its completion in 1845.
Fort Pulaski didn’t see very much excitement until 134 men from the State Militia seized the fort a little bit before Georgia officially seceded from the Union on January 19 1861. It was kept under Confederate control for more than a year and then on April 10-11 Union Brigadier General Quincy Adams Gillmore began his assault against the Confederates soldiers in the fort.
After 30 hours of mortars and rifled canons bombarding the fort a breach was made in the south east wall. This forced Confederate Colonel Charles H. Olmstead to surrender. With the union in control the fort was used to house the captured Confederate prisoners and also as a storage area for the ammunition taken from Fort McAllister after its fall in December 1864.
Fort Pulaski, GA. 041123.
Theme "Surrender" for Illustration Friday weekly challenge.
Joshua SURRENDERED to sleep before 3pm on the first day of preschool
A final snapshot of the urethane version of "Unconditional Surrender" at Tuna Harbor Park. (Photos courtesy Dale Frost/Port of San Diego).
We surrender. Erin and I will be returning to the US in three weeks. Rather than spend our precious time hopelessly trying to keep the blog updated, we're temporarily giving up.
When we get back to America and have a bit of spare time, we plan on blogging the rest of the trip. Whether that will actually happen or not, we don't know.
Although it's been great to keep y'all in the loop, the primary purpose of this blog for us has been to preserve some memories before they all jumble together in our minds. Since we want to remember the last six weeks of the trip, we theoretically ought to be inspired to finish the posts.
In the meantime, we plan on spending more of our time in hammocks, and less in internet cafes.
I have never liked the game of Risk, I don't think I am ruthless enough. I never want to wipe someone out completely. My husband never had a problem wiping me out! Choice: fight on or surrender!
Scavenge Challenge - 4. Use a photo to demonstrate that a choice must be made.
Don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without explicit permission.
© All rights reserved
The final stages of the removal of "Unconditional Surrender" at Tuna Harbor Park. (Photos courtesy Dale Frost/Port of San Diego).
We interupt your regularly-scheduled program for a cat photo. Often, the dogs in Vietnam are not very cooperative - they don't answer to a whistle, and with so many Canon shooters in the country they often scurry out of sight at the sound of a Nikon shutter. I was stumbling around in the heat, trying to find an air conditioned cafe called Highland Coffee, when I came upon this scene near the Hanoi Cathedral. I don't like to photograph children without their parent okay, but sometimes I can't resist.
Series of 3 sculptures inspired by veiled marble statues by 18th century artists such as Giuseppe Sanmartino. These mixed media sculptures are being displayed in the Hitogata Ten art exhibition at Marunouchi, Tokyo 12th to 18th of October 2022.
Melancholy - veiled bust, 2022.
Sorrow - veiled figure form curled up on a pedestal, 2022.
Surrender - Standing figure with windswept garments, 2022.
There is a waiting list for the exhibition artworks that might be available for sale after the exhibition. Email me with "waiting list" as topic to get a chance to buy them after 19th.
The art gallery just posted photos from the Hitogata Ten exhibition where my artworks are being displayed at the moment!
See the awesome work of all the artists :
My first levitation shot.
I was trying to create that feeling of on the verge of giving up, of surrendering.
Any comments greatly appreciated.
Nandi is the name for the bull which serves as the mount (Sanskrit: Vahana) of the god Shiva and as the gatekeeper of Shiva and Parvati. In Hindu Religion, he is the chief guru of eighteen masters (18 Siddhar) including Patanjali and Thirumular. Temples venerating Shiva display stone images of a seated Nandi, generally facing the main shrine. There are also a number of temples dedicated solely to Nandi.
The application of the name Nandi to the bull (Sanskrit: vṛṣabha) is in fact a development of recent centuries, as Gouriswar Bhattacharya has documented in an illustrated article entitled "Nandin and Vṛṣabha". The name Nandi was earlier widely used instead for an anthropomorphic deity who was one of Shiva’s two door-keepers, the other being Mahākāla. The doorways of pre-tenth-century North Indian temples are frequently flanked by images of Mahākāla and Nandi, and it is in this role of Shiva’s watchman that Nandi figures in Kālidāsa’s poem the Kumārasambhava.
ETYMOLOGY
The word “Nandi” is derived from the ancient Indian Language of Sanskrit. The Sanskrit word 'Nandi' in English translates as Happy, Joyous or Happy Person.
BIRTH OF NANDI
There was a sage named Shilada who underwent severe penance to have a boon — a child with immortality. Lord Indra pleased of the austerities of Shilada appeared in front of him to offer a boon. After hearing the request of Shilada and his desire to have an immortal child, Lord Indra suggested he pray to Lord Shiva: nobody else could provide such a boon. Sage Shilada continued his penance for 1,000 years. He was totally immovable for many years, so the termites settled on his body and slowly started to build up their nest. Finally, his whole body was covered up by them. The insects started to eat his flesh and imbibed his blood. At last, only bones remained.
Lord Shiva appeared in front of him and provided the boon for the child. Moreover, Lord Shiva provided Sage Shilada his old form with a single touch. Sage Shilada performed Yagna and a child appeared from the sacrificial fire. His body was clad in armour made out of diamonds. The celestial dancers and singers performed on this auspicious occasion and the deities showered flowers on the child. The boy was named ’Nandi’ — who brings joy. Shilada brought the child home. Immediately the boy lost his divine appearance to an ordinary child. The child completely forgot all about his birth. Sage Shilada was worried about the sudden change. He devoted his time for Nandi's upbringing his education etc. By the age of seven, the boy was well versed in Veda and all sacred texts.
One day the deities Mitra and Varuna visited Sage Shilada. At the first sight of the boy, they commented: Though the boy had all auspicious signs, he would have a very short life. He would not live after the age of eight. Sage Shilada was mortified at this remark. Nandi could not bear his father's sorrow; he began to pray to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before him and blessed him. Lord Shiva adorned the boy with a necklace and made him immortal. Lord Shiva blessed the child and declared that he would be worshiped along with Him and become his vahana (vehicle). Immediately the boy got all the divine powers and transformed into half bull-half human. He and Shilada went to Lord Shiva's abode to live.
IN HINDUISM
Bulls appear on the Indus Valley seals, including the 'Pasupati Seal', which depicts a seated figure and, according to some scholars, is similar to Shiva. However, most scholars agree that the horned bull on the Indus Valley seals is not identical to Nandi.
DESCRIPTIONS ON NANDI IN HINDU RELIGIOUS TEXTS INCLUDE:
- Some Puranas describe Nandi or Nandikeshvara as bull face with a human body that resembles that of Shiva in proportion and aspect, although with four hands — two hands holding the Parasu (the axe) and Mruga (the antelope) and the other two hands joined together in the Anjali (obeisance). Brahma Vaivarta Purana mentions Krishna himself to have taken the form of a bull as no one else in the Universe can bear Shiva.
- Vehicle of Shiva: The bull Nandi is Shiva's primary vehicle and is the principal gana (follower) of Shiva.
- Gate keeper of Shiva's abode: The close association of Shiva and Nandi explains the presence of a statue of Nandi at the gate of many temples dedicated to Shiva. It also explains why the word "nandi" in the Tamil, Kannada and Telugu languages is used as a metaphor for a person blocking the way.[citation needed] In Sanskrit, a bull is called vrisha, which has another connotation — that of righteousness or Dharma. It is important to seek the blessings of Nandi before proceeding to worship Lord Shiva.
- Chief in Shiva's army: Some Puranas mention that Nandi lead the Shiva Ganas, Shiva's attendants.
- A Guru of Saivism: In addition to being his mount, Nandi is Shiva's foremost disciple. In the Natha/Siddhar tradition, Nandi is one of the primal gurus. He was the guru to Siddhar Thirumulanathar, Patanjalinathar and others.
- From the yogic perspective, Nandi/Nandhi/Nandikeshvara is the mind dedicated to Lord Siva, the Absolute. In other words, to understand and absorb Light, the 'experience and the wisdom' is Nandi which is the Guru within.
- Spiritually, Nandi represents an individual jiva (soul) and the message that the jiva should always be focused on the Atman (Paramatman).
LEGENDS
According to some puranas, Nandi was born to sage Shilada who got him by the grace of Shiva.
It was Nandi who cursed Ravana (the demon King of Lanka) that his kingdom would be burnt by a monkey (Vanara). And later Hanuman burnt Lanka when he went in search of Sita, who was kept prisoner by Ravana in Ashok Vatika.
In one puranic story, it is stated that once Siva and Parvathi were playing a game of dice. For any game there has to be an umpire, who has to declare who is the winner. Siva and Parvathi agreed to have Nandi (the divine bull) as the umpire. Nandi is a favorite of Siva, as he is Siva's vehicle. Although Siva lost the game, Nandi declared him the winner. It is stated that Parvathi was indignant over Nandi's partiality for Siva and cursed him that he should die from an incurable disease. Thereupon Nandi fell at the feet of Parvathi and pleaded for forgiveness. "Mother forgive me. Should I not show at least this amount of gratitude to one who is my master? Is it not humiliating for me to declare that my master has lost the game? To uphold his honor I no doubt uttered a lie. But am I to be punished with such severity for so small an offence?" Nandi prayed for forgiveness in this manner. Parvathi forgave Nandi and taught him the means to atone for his lapse. She told him. "The Chaturdasi day in the month of Bhadrapada is the day when my son's birthday is celebrated. On that day you have to offer to my son what pleases you most (green grass)". This means that one atones for one's sins when one offers to the Lord what is most pleasing and enjoyable to him. For Nandi the most enjoyable and relishing food is green grass. As directed by Parvathi Nandi worshipped Ganapathi by offering green grass. Nandi was then relieved of his dreaded disease. His health improved and by the grace of Parvathi he was redeemed.
When the positive forces, the devas, and the negative forces, the asuras, joined together on a rare occasion to churn the ocean with a mountain to obtain the nectar of immortality they utilized Vasuki, the serpent, as the rope. The devas pulled from one end and the asuras from the other. Lots of precious herbs and gems were produced during the Churning and one of them was a poison (halāhala) which became human karma. This "poison" was so dangerous that none of the devas or asuras wanted to go near it. It was extremely sticky and coming into contact with this poison, i.e., human karma, would drag the divinity down to the realms of human suffering and ego. As everyone else ran away, Lord Siva, followed by Nandi, came forward to help as he was the only one who could counteract this deadly poison. Siva took the poison into his hand and drank it, the descent of the poison was in turn stopped at His throat, by His divine consort. Siva is therefore also known as Nīlakaṇṭha (the blue-throated one) and Viṣakaṇṭha (the poison-throated one). Nandi saw some of the poison spill out of Siva's mouth and immediately drank if off the ground. The devas and asuras watching were shocked and wondered aloud what would happen to Nandi. Lord Siva calmed their fears saying, "Nandi has surrendered into me so completely that he has all my powers and my protection".
LARGEST NANDIS IN INDIA
1. Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh
2. Brahadishwara Temple, Tamil Nadu
4. Bull Temple, Bangalore, Karnataka
5. Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
6. Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu, Karnataka
7. Shanthaleswara Temple, Halebidu, Karnataka
8. Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur, Kerala
9. Virupaksha Temple, Hampi, Karnataka
10. Nandi Temple, Western Group of Temples, Khajuraho,
Madhya Pradesh
11. Kedareshvara Temple at Balligavi (Karnataka)
12. Doddabasaveshvara temple, Kurugodu Bellary dist
MISCELLANEOUS
The white color of the bull symbolizes purity and justice.
Women visit images of Nandi, bringing floral offerings, and touch the stone. Their prayers are for fertility. Additionally, it is also considered a custom among some to whisper the fact of their visit, to that shrine, while requesting the faithful attendant to inform his master of the same.
WIKIPEDIA