welcome On Mon, 8 Jan 2024 at 10:39, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote:
> Thank you sir for reading the QA and giving added information about Nandi > Gopalarishnan > > On Monday, 8 January, 2024 at 09:51:06 am IST, Rajaram Krishnamurthy < > [email protected]> wrote: > > > \ What Is the Significance of Nandi? > > *LEGEND:* > > Nandi (Sanskrit: नन्दि), is the bull vahana of the Hindu *god Shiva* > <https://www.exoticindiaart.com/sculptures/brass/shiva/>, meaning > happiness, joy, and satisfaction. He is also the guardian deity of Kailash, > the abode of Shiva. Almost all Shiva temples display stone images of a > seated humped, white Nandi, reclining on a raised platform generally facing > the main shrine continuously staring at the god. *Nandi* > <https://www.exoticindiaart.com/sculptures/brass/shiva/nandi/> is one of > Shiva’s chief attendants, occasionally depicted in sculpture as a > bull-headed figure. > > Nandi is also discerned in an entire human form as Nandikeshwara or > Nandideva, such sculptured forms are found at the entrance door of many > Shaivite temples in South India, and are frequently confused with images of > the deity because they are alike in such iconographic features as the third > eye, crescent moon in the matted locks, and four arms, two of which hold > the battle-axe and an antelope. However, a distinguishing feature is that > Nandi’s hands are pressed together in adoration. > > Nandi got the divine knowledge of Agamic and Tantric wisdom taught by > Shiva, from the *goddess Parvati* > <https://www.exoticindiaart.com/sculptures/brass/goddess/parvati/>. He is > considered the chief guru of eight disciples of Nandinatha Sampradaya, > namely Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana, Sanatkumara, Tirumular, Vyagrapada, > Patanjali, and Sivayoga Muni. These eight disciples were sent in eight > different directions of the world by Nandi, to spread this knowledge. > > *SIGNIFICANCE* : > > In the temple, we always see Nandi sitting and glaring attentively in > front of the *Shiva Linga > <https://www.exoticindiaart.com/sculptures/brass/shiva/shiva-linga/>.* > > · The Truth is that just as Lingam is the symbol of the Almighty > Supreme Shiva, Nandi (Bull) is the symbol of Jeeva (Individual Soul). > > · Nandi sitting before Shiva Linga signifies that a human being > should turn away from Prakruthi and direct all his attention toward God > only, that the jiva should always be focused on the Parameshwara. > > · The bull is a symbol of stability sitting on four legs, > representing > > · Sathya (Truth), > > · Dharma (Righteousness), > > · Shanti (peace) and > > · Prema (Love). > > It is only through these four that Mukti or Enlightenment can be attained > and the soul could finally merge into the Supreme Soul. This is the purpose > and the goal of human birth. > > · Nandi signifies and conveys the meaning that the purpose of > life is to realize the oneness of all creation and one's identity with the > Divinity. > > · Suggests seeing God in everything and loving every creation of > God. > > · The goal of life is God-realisation. > > · To achieve divine Consciousness is the aim of life. > > · Nandi also symbolizes that no one should stand between Shiva > Linga and Nandi. > > The purpose of a human being is to realize God and there should be no > distraction in this process. > > · In life's journey, human beings generally get distracted. One > should have perfect control of Gyan-Indriyas and Karm-Indriyas. > > · The white color of Nandi bull symbolizes purity and justice. > > From the yogic perspective, Nandi is the mind dedicated to Shiva, the > absolute. In other words, to understand and absorb the light, experience, > and wisdom is Nandi, which is the guru within. > > Nandi, which means “giving delight” or “giving joy,” is the sacred bull of > the Hindu god Shiva, one of the most important *Hindu gods* > <https://www.exoticindiaart.com/sculptures/hindu/>. When the world > becomes evil, Shiva destroys it to make way for beneficial change. Nandi is > Shiva’s animal form, his means of transportation, and his most ardent > worshiper. Sacred animals served as vahanas, or mounts for Hindu deities to > travel on. Shiva and Nandi's association with Hindu scriptures and art can > be traced to very early Indian culture, where dairy farming was the most > important occupation, thus explaining the importance and sacredness of the > cow and bull. > > · Vahanas symbolize or complement the energy or character of > their deity. > > · Nandi is also believed to promote fertility; > > · A youthful Nandi is shown licking his muzzle in an engaging > gesture of rapt devotion to Shiva. Hindu gods are usually depicted as being > sixteen years old (sixteen being four times four, a number signifying > perfection). Nandi is always shown as a young bull, his horns not fully > developed. > > Nandi is a Brahman bull, the male zebu, or Indian ox. Brahman bulls have a > hump on their back, horns, and a dewlap (a fold of loose skin hanging from > the neck). > > Nandi is the sacred bull calf, gatekeeper, and vehicle (vahana) of the > Hindu god Shiva. Sculptures of Nandi are a common sight at Hindu temples > dedicated to his master, and he is partly responsible for the Hindu > reverence for living bulls even today. *Is It Good To Keep Nandi Statue > At Home? > <https://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/is-it-good-to-keep-nandi-statue-at-home/>* > > *How To Please Or Gratify Nandi?* > > Nandi the bull is a deity conferred with many powers. He is the protector > of Dharma and the chief of the team of Ganas, or attendants of the gods. In > Hinduism, Nandi is considered as the chief of 18 Siddhas and therefore, the > granter of boons. > > · Nandi statue is placed facing Shivalingam on the west side. A > devotee should worships the Shivalingam standing by the side of the Nandi > statue and facing the Shivalingam. > > · So, A simple Nandi Puja should be performed by > > · bathing Him with Gangajal (Ganges Water), > > · rinsing with perfume, wiping dry, > > · and applying sandalwood paste, > > · Offer incense and lamp. > > · As Nandi is loyal to Lord Shiva, once you chant ‘*Om Namah > Shivaya’*, Nandi is bound to bless you too. > > *UNIQUENESS:* > > *Meditation :* > > · He is in meditative form – simply sitting and waiting aptly. > > · Nandi is a symbol of eternal waiting. > > · He is not expecting Shiva to come out tomorrow or some other > day. > > · He will wait forever. > > · That quality is the essence of receptiveness. And that is why > Nandi is Shiva’s closest accomplice. > > · Before you go into a temple, you must have the quality of Nandi > – to simply sit. > > · So, just by sitting here, he is telling you, “When you go in, > don’t do your fanciful and bizarre acts. Don’t ask for this or that. Just > go and sit like me.” > > · His waiting is a meditation – just sitting. That’s his message > for you. Simply go inside and sit. Alert, not sleepy. > > · Meditation means you are willing to just listen to the > existence, to the ultimate nature of creation. You have nothing to say, you > simply listen. That is the quality of Nandi – He is not sleepy or sitting > passively. He is sitting very actively, full of alertness and life, but > with no expectation or anticipation. That is meditation. Just waiting, not > for anything in particular. > > · If you just wait without doing your own thing, your simple > existence will do it. Once you are simply there, you become aware of the > larger dimension of existence, which is always in action. You become aware > that you are a part of it. But becoming aware that “I am a part of it” is > meditativeness. Nandi is the symbolism of that. He reminds everyone, “You > must sit like me.” > > · Waiting is considered the greatest virtue in Indian culture. > > · As a symbol of Shiva, the Nandi represents power, energy, > vitality, joy, and delight, as well as a controlled potential for > destructiveness. > > · When carved as a free-standing figure, the Nandi is always > shown in a resting position that emphasizes the calmer aspect of its power. > > · The statue of Nandi is seen first. Nandi symbolizes the Aasan, > which is, to be firmly seated in one place and posture. > > · Nandi gazes up at the murti of Lord Shiva. Similarly, the > devotee should be perfectly still in an Aasan. > > · Nandi also symbolizes Dharma (Religion), underlining the fact > that the goal of religion should be Shiva, i.e; salvation. > > *FINALE:* > > Whatever devotees bring their problems to Lord Shiva, Nandi stops them > there. By no means allows disrupting the penance of Lord Shiva. The > devotees, therefore, speak in the ears of Nandi and when Shiva comes out of > penance, Nandi conveys all the things which he had heard from the devotees > to Shiva. > > Nandi is described as the son of the sage Shilada. He underwent severe > penance to have a boon– a child with immortality and blessings of Lord > Shiva and received Nandi as his son. Legends say that Nandi was born from a > Yajna performed by the Shilada. Nandi grew as an ardent devotee of Lord > Shiva and he performed severe penance to become his gate-keeper, as well as > his mount, on the banks of river Narmada, near Tripur Tirth Kshetra in > present-day Nandikeshwar Temple, in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. {How people > could think and research} > > KR IRS 8124 > > > > On Mon, 8 Jan 2024 at 09:28, 'venkat giri' via iyer123 < > [email protected]> wrote: > > *Respected Sir/s,* > > SUBJECT: CULTURAL QA 12-2023-6A > > Q1: Why is Nandi outside the Shiva temple? > > A1: Nandi *नन्दि* also known as Nandikeshvara or Nandideva or Basava *ಬಸವ* > *,* is the bull vahana (mount) of the Hindu god Shiva. He is also the > guardian deity of KALASH, the abode of Shiva. Almost all Shiva temples > display stone-images of a seated Nandi, generally facing the main shrine. > Nandi > is one of Shiva's chief attendants and occasionally is depicted in > sculpture as a bull-headed dwarf figure. Nandi is also known in a wholly > anthropomorphic (having human characteristics. ...*மானுடவியல்**)* form, > called variously Nandikeshvara or ADHIKARANANDI. > > Most Shaivite temples have the figure of a humped white bull > reclining on a raised platform and facing the entrance door of the shrine > so that he may perpetually gaze on the GOD. Usually a distinguishing > feature is that Nandi’s hands are pressed together in adoration. > > Nandi, which means *“Giving Delight” or “Giving Joy,”* is the sacred > bull of the Hindu god Shiva, one of the most important Hindu gods. When > the world becomes evil, Shiva destroys it to make way for beneficial > change. Nandi is Shiva's animal form, his means of transportation, and his > most ardent worshiper. > > The Truth is that just as Lingam is the symbol of the Almighty > Supreme, Shiva Nandi (Bull) is the symbol of JEEVA (Individual Soul). > Nandi sitting before *SHIVA LINGA* signifies that a human being should > turn away from Prakruthi*प्रकृति* and direct all his attention towards > GOD ONLY. > > The *BULL *is a symbol of stability sitting on four legs, which > represent Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), Shanti (peace), and Prema > (Love). It is only through human birth that the (Love), Supreme > Experience which we call it as MUKTI or Enlightenment can be attained and > the individual soul can finally merge into the Supreme Soul. This is the > purpose and the goal of human birth. > > Nandi sitting and always looking at God signifies and > conveys the meaning that the purpose of life is to realize the oneness of > all creation and one's identity with the Divinity. See God in everything > and love every creation of God. The goal of life is God-realization. To > become divine is the aim of life. The purpose of human birth is to achieve > Divine Consciousness. > > Nandi symbolically reminds everyone, “You must sit like me.” The > Nandi at the Dhyanalinga in the Isha Ashram is made of small pieces of > metal, each one not more than six to nine inches in size, put together to > form the surface. Inside, it is filled with sesame seeds, turmeric, > vibhuti the sacred ash, certain types of oils, some sand, and certain other > types of soil. The whole concoction has been prepared in a certain way. > This makes the Nandi radiate a certain field of energy. > > Confidential Prayers: It is believed that Nandi is a symbol of loyalty > and devotion. Devotees may whisper their prayers or wishes into Nandi's > ears, treating it like a trusted friend to whom they can express their > innermost thoughts. This practice allows individuals to convey personal and > confidential prayer. > > The respect shown the bull in modern India is partly because of > his association with Shiva. In Hindu cities such as VARANASI in Uttar > Pradesh state, certain bulls are given the freedom to roam the streets. They > are considered to belong to the god, and they are branded on the flank with > the trident insignia of Shiva. > > THE STORY: > > A great white bull is seen seated waiting in most Shiva > temples, facing lord Shiva or the Lingam. His name is Nandi. The name > means happy, joy and satisfaction. He is the closest bhakti, devotee, of > Lord Shiva. > > This is his story. > > There was a rishi by name of Shilada. He wanted to groom a child, > but no ordinary child. *He did tapas (meditation), for many years that a > termite hill grew around him and he was almost reduced to his bones.* > Lord Shiva was pleased and he gave him a boon for the eternal child. He > also restored his body to his original form. > > Next day, Shilada was ploughing his field, where he found a > baby. The baby was glowing bright. He was not sure what to do with the > baby, when he heard a heavenly voice *“This is your child, raise him > well”.* The baby was a boy. Shilada named him Nandi. Nandi was bright and > devoted to Lord Shiva. He learned the Vedas, shashtra and ashtra*(* > *அஸ்திரம்* *)*in rishi Shilada’s hermitage. *He was very bright and > learnt fast.* > > Few years later, two sages by name of MITRA and VARUNA visited > the hermitage. Nandi was put to take care of them. They were very satisfied > and blessed them while leaving. The sages blessed rishi Shilada of dirghayu > *धीर्गायु**:*, of long life. They blessed Nandi of yashashvii *यशस्वी*, > of being celebrated. Shilada being a father was worried that the sage did > not bless his son of long life. He questioned the sages, and Mitra told him > that his son did not have a long life, thus he could not bless him so. > > Seeing a worried father, Nandi said “*If I am destined to > die, Lord Shiva can change it. He is the most powerful. He will never let > down his devotee. I will do tapa and reverse my fate. Bless me in my > pursuit”.* He went into the river Bhuvana to do his penance. > > Nandi’s tapa was so strong, that Shiva appeared almost instantaneously > before him. Shiva offered him a boon, and Nandi asked for “I wish to be > with you always”. > > Shiva blessed Nandi and said, “I am looking for a bull for my > vaahana, to travel. You will get the face of a bull, stay with me at my > abode Kailash, be my companion, my mount and my friend. You will be a > leader of my GANA”. > > Shiva’s son Ganesh was the lord of the GANA, and thus his name > GANAPATI. Nandi was their leader and commander, and called GANANAYAK. > > During sagar manthan, the great ocean was churned to > take out AMRIT, the eternal elixir sought by both devas and asuras. The > first thing that came out was Halahal, the cloud of poison that > threatened the survival of all living including gods and celestial beings. > Everyone ran hither and thither, and ultimately reached Kailash*. To > protect the world, Lord Shiva collected the poison in his open palm and > swallowed it.* Goddess Parvati, his wife and consort, panicked and > clutched Shiva's throat so that the poison do not enter the body. Thus, > the poison was stored in his throat, giving Shiva names of Neelkanth, one > with a blue throat, and Vishkantha, the one with poison throat. In this > melee, some of the Halahal dropped from his palm. Nandi was nearby, and > seeing his master drink it, quickly gathered it and drank it before it fell > on earth. The august gathering was shocked that what would happen, but > nothing happened to Nandi. Shiva calmed everyone and told the gathering > that “Nandi is my greatest devotee, surrendered to me completely and has > my power and protection”. > > After the sagar manthan, Shiva had difficulty concentrating in d > > Dhyanam, his meditation. His throat was always burning by the Halahal that > was stuck there. He ordered Nandi to sit in front of him and blow air on > to his throat. The air blown relieved him of the burning sensation. From > thereon, lord Shiva meditated with the help of Nandi. Till today, you will > find Nandi seated in front of Shiva in all temples, waiting patiently for > his master’s next command. Also, it is said that one should never stand > in front of Nandi, that is one should never come in between Shiva and > Nandi, as it disturbs Shiva’s meditation. And if one needs to take a look > at Shiva, look at him through the space between his ears. > > > > Once Siva and Parvathi were playing a game of dice. Nandi was > the umpire. Although Siva lost the game, Nandi declared him the winner. > Parvathi was outraged 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, as he could not see his master > loose and it would have been humiliating to declare his master has lost. It > was in gratitude to one’s master that he uttered a lie. Parvathi forgave > Nandi and told “Offer my son Ganesh on his birthday, Chaturdashi day in > the month of Bhadrapada, something that pleases you most". Nandi thus > worshiped Ganesh by offering green DHURVA Grass, as this was Nandi’s most > relishing food. He was thus redeemed. Ganesh is thus worshiped on this day > to get rid of one’s sin and obstacles. > > Once a delegation of people went to Kailash to seek the > advice of Shiva on how to lead an ideal life. Shiva was busy at that time > and sent Nandi to the delegation to tell “Din main ek bar khao, teen bar > nahao” (Eat once and bathe thrice daily). Nandi joyfully proceeded > towards them and afraid that he might forget, repeated the instruction to > himself. When he stood in front of the delegation he said “Shiva has asked > me to inform you that din main ek bar nahao, teen bar khao (Bathe once and > eat thrice daily)”. The delegation returned happily satisfied and dutifully > followed it. Soon there was a shortage of food. Eventually another > delegation went to Shiva to seek a solution to the new problem. Shiva > understood that Nandi created the problem. He cursed Nandi “You have > created the problem. You will help these people to grow the food they > need”. And from that time, cattles have been paying the eternal price, > being domesticated for agriculture and pulling the plough. > > Nandi got the divine knowledge of Agamic and Tantric wisdom taught by Lord > Shiva from goddess Parvathi. He is considered the chief guru of Nandinath > Sampradaya. He had eight disciples - Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana, > Sanatkumara, Tirumular, Vyagrapada, Patanjali and Sivayoga Muni who were > directed to eight directions of the world by Nandi to spread the wisdom of > Shaiva tradition. All Shaivites, the worshiper of Shiva, adore a flag with > the image of Nandi. The white colour of the bull represents purity and > justice. > > Nandi is described with many traits. As a gatekeeper at Kailash, the > abode of Shiva, he is described as adorned with all ornaments, glowing like > a thousand suns, holding a trident in his hand, three-eyed, adorned with a > sliver of the moon, a thunderbolt in his hand, four-armed, like a second > Shiva himself. As a chief Gana, he carries the golden staff of office. As a > musician, he provided the cosmic music when Shiva did the Tandav Nritya, > dance of creation. As a guardian of all four-footed life form, he looks > majestic, muscular and powerful with a bell, clapper and necklace of flower. > > In temple architecture, a seated Nandi is found in the mandapa, outer > hall, of almost all Shiva temples, representing an individual devotee > looking directly at his Parmeshwar, lord, in the Garbhagriha, sanctum > sanctorum. It is a custom for the faithful to whisper in the ears of > Nandi the purpose of the visit, and requesting him to inform the master to > hear the prayer at the opportune time. > > Nandi is a bull and not some oxen or a cow. Bulls are wild and are not > domesticated. They roam free. They are useful only to make cows pregnant to > bear calf and give milk. Farmers would castrate the male calf to make them > oxen and use them as draft animals to pull the plough or cart. Even > today, a village will only have one or two bulls, which roams the streets > and temples. Bull cannot be used for any other work. The bull Nandi is > representative of life energy, virility, springing of life. > > BULL TEMPLE: > > The BULL TEMPLE, also known as NANDI TEMPLE is one of the oldest > temples in the city of Bengaluru. The temple is popularly called as 'Dodda > Basavana Gudi' *ದೊಡ್ಡ ಬಸವನ ಗುಡಿ* by the locals *and is the biggest temple > dedicated to Nandi in the world.* Nandi, the bull, is the mount or > 'vahana' of Lord Shiva and the guardian deity of Lord Shiva's abode, > Kailashagiri; according to Hindu traditions. This temple is every Shiva > devotee's must-visit destination because Nandi holds great importance to > Lord Shiva. > > The architectural style of the Bull Temple is mainly Dravidian and > was constructed by Kempe Gowda. It is believed that the origin of the river > VRISHABHAVATI is at the feet of Nandi. The entire sculpture of the bull > is carved out of one single granite rock. The statue is 4.5 meters high > and 6.5 meters long. Coconut oil, butter and 'Benne' *ಬೆಣ್ಣೆ* *BUTTER* are > regularly applied to this statue. This had led to the originally grey > statue to turn black. > > On the premises of the BULL TEMPLE, there is also a beautiful temple > of Ganesh, the beloved son of Lord Shiva. An interesting fact about this > temple is that the statue of Lord Ganesh is made entirely of butter! It > takes about 110 kilos of butter to make this artistic statue, and a new > statue is made every four years. What is really astonishing and > noteworthy is that in the four-year tenure of each butter sculpture, the > butter doesn't melt or change shape even once. The butter that makes the > statue of the deity is then distributed to the devotees as prasad. > > Each year in the Hindu month of Karthika last MONDAY, the temple > hosts at BAAVANGUDI in Bengaluru;the famous 'Kadalekai Parishe' *ಕಡಲೆಕಾಯಿ > ಪರಿಷೆ* (Groundnut Fair) which is attended by hundreds of devotees. > > --------- > > > > Regards > > V.Sridharan > > Trichy > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "iyer123" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/443949092.4939173.1704686273535%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/443949092.4939173.1704686273535%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Sanathana dharma and science" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sanathana-dharma-and-science/CAL5XZoqdKybH1daivfdcCN23UQoAPQOj7Tw5Ub1nfmah49jN-Q%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sanathana-dharma-and-science/CAL5XZoqdKybH1daivfdcCN23UQoAPQOj7Tw5Ub1nfmah49jN-Q%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Thatha_Patty" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1142178873.4966579.1704690542486%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1142178873.4966579.1704690542486%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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