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A devout Brahmana as an ardent Shiva bhakta named Shilaada performed severe Tapasya on Nandi Mountain to Lord Shiva by eating nothing else but ‘Shilaachurana’ (rock powder) for hundred years seeking a boon to secure a highly virtuous son. Maha Deva was pleased and granted the boon provided that the boy to be named Nandi but owing to an indiscretion of his at the Shiva-Parvati wedding, he was cursed by Bhrigu Maharshi and would be destined to a human birth. Nandi was materialised from the cool rays of Chandra Deva as a child and the highly elated Shailada pampered the child and performed all the ceremonies of childhood. As Nandi grew and revealed that he would have to go back to Maha Deva soon, Shailaada was shattered and became uncontrollable.
Nandi then did Tapasya to Maha Deva for hundred years on the Mountain of Himalayas on one of the peaks called Haramukuta, where there was a lake called Kalodaka. Meanwhile Shilaada prayed to Devi Parvati to please allow Maha Deva to respond to Nandi’s tapasya and was performing ‘Yagna’ on Mountain tops. Maha Deva proceeded towards the Haramukuta but as the route was rough and rocky, Devi Parvati could not proceed further and he alone without Parvati took a circuitous route on foot and on way crossed Shatadru, Vipasu, Iravati and Chandrabhaga, Vishnupada and the confluence of Vitasta and Sindhu to finally reach the Bharata Mountain. He took considerable time to ascend the peak, even as the Mountain grew higher and higher; the exasperated and exhausted Maha Deva grew up in his body stature and stamped his foot on the mountain’s head since when the mountain known as ‘Mundaprastha’ could not bear the hit of Parameshwara, came out in human form and sought his pardon of Maha Deva. A water body emerged out of the stamping of the foot and was called Kripani Tirtha, subsequently known as Apsara Tirtha as that was the swimming pool of Apsaras. Then Parama Shiva was enchanted by the most charming Place called ‘Brahmasara Tirtha’ and could not resist the temptation of swimming in it and converted himself as a Swan! The bird broke the Mountain and saw for Himself the Sacred Place where Shailaada was performing Yagna to please Devi Parvati and him self to extend the human life of Nandishwara. As the Swan saw the Sacred Places of Vatika and Sandika where the Yagna was being organised, it also witnessed the Kapila Tirtha.
Lord Brahma saw Parameshwara in the Form of a Swan and prostrated before him. As Shakra was there too along with a group of Devas, he saw Brahma there and knelt down and prayed to him . As Shakra prayed to Brahma as above, Brahma replied that Maha Deva himself was before him in the Form of a Swan and alerted him to lead the Devas present too to join Shakra to pay tributes to Maha Deva directly and Indra paid homage. as follows:
Namastey Deva Devesha Mayaavrutajagatraya, Yajamaano Mahi swam chathoyaagneendurka Vaayaah/ Tanavastey Vinirdishtaa yaabhyarvyaptamJagatriam, Braahmeem tanum tathaasthaaya Raajaseem twam Jagadguro/ Lokaansrujaasi Bhutaatmamstava Kaaryam na vidyetey, Paorusheem tanumaasthyaaya Saatwikeem twam Maheswara/ Paalayasyakhilam Deva thrailokyam saakshivbat sthitah, Kaalaakhyaam taamaseem krutwaa jagat samhaarasey tathaa/ Vrisha rupa dharo Dharmo vaahanatwamupaagatah, Vaamaardham dayitaakaayam Brahmachari bhavo dhavaan/ Namah Shashaanka lekhaanka jataabhaara Maheshwara, Gangaataranga nirdhuta jataa -bhaara namostutey/ Tripuraarey Namastestu Namastvandhaka ghaatiney, Shulaagra bhinna daityaamsha rudhiraadra namostutey/ Kapaala maaliney tubhyam Parvatidayitaayacha, Ugraayudhaaya Bhimaaya Bhimaayudha dharaayacha/ Urdhwa Lingaaya Sheeghraaya Krathaaya Kratanaayacha, Maangalyaaya Varenyaya Mahaa Hamsaaya meedhushey/ Bheemaakshaaya Bhusundaaya Vyaala Yagnopapeetiney, Kshamaswa mama Devesha yan mayaasi na Pujitah/ TavaivaMayaya purvam mohitena Jagatprabho, Prasannosi dhruvam yena jnaatosi vai mayaa/ Suprasaadodi Devesha pranatosmi Maheshwara/
( Our obeisances to you Deva Devesha who has spread out ‘Maya’ or Illusion all over the Three Worlds; the Pancha Bhutas viz. Prithivi, Water, Radiance, Wind power, Sun, Moon and Sky are all the ramifications of Your ‘Swarupa’ or Form extended all over; You assumed the Brahmi Shakti of ‘Rajasa’facilitating Creating, Satvika Shakti to administer and uphold the worldsas a Unique Witness and finally by taking the ‘Kala Swarupa’ perform ‘Jagat Samhara’ or demolitionof the Universe;Dharma Swarupa!You take over the Form of a Bulland as an ‘Ardha Naareswara’and as a ‘Brahmachari’ perform the killing of Daityaas with ease and without effort; Our greetings to you, Shashakadhara, Maheshewara, Jatadhaari wet with the waves of River Gangaworn on your head; You were the devastator of Tripurasura and Andhaka; You look dreadful as the killer of Daityas with their bodies strewn on top of your ‘Shula’ with their gushing blood; the‘Kapaala Maaliney’/ wears garlands of Skulls around neck; ‘Ugraayudhaya’/ Carrier of Fearful Weapons; Bhimaaya / Bhima Shankara Linga; ‘Urthwa Lingaya’; ‘Sheeghraaya’/ The Speediest; Krathaaya,‘Krathanaaya‘Mangalyaya’ / The Most Auspicious; ‘Varenyaaya’ or the Most Excellent and Distinguished; ‘Maha Hamsaaya’/ the Outstanding and Unique Swan; ‘Bhusundaaya’ / like the Great Yogi /Trikala Gyani and renowned Master of Pranayama who built a Mountain like Nest on Kalpa Vrikshka on Meru; and ‘Vyala Yagnopaveeta’/ wearing a serpent as his Sacred Thread.By so saying, Indra sought Hara Prabhu as he was overcome by a severe Maya / Illusion and could not recognize Maha Deva as the Great Swan).
As Indra’s eulogy was over, Maha Deva discarded his Form as a Swan and as Lord Brahma, Indra and Devatas too were present along with Devi Parvati to Kalodaka where the Yagna was being performed and further proceeded the Place where Nandi was performing his Tapasya. Nandi was weak and was almost dead. Having revived him, Maha Deva gave back Nandi’s past birth’s memory that he was a ‘Pratihaari’ (Gate Keeper) of Kailasha, that as Brahmana Shilaada’s penance and Bhrigu Maharshi’s Shaapa to Nandi coincided, the latter took to a human form and did penance to seek extension of life to please his father Shilada who had attained salvation herebefore.
Maha Deva then blessed Nandi:
Ganeswaratwamaasaadya mayaa saha nivatsyasey/ Asmaad Yojana maatrena Purvey bhaagey Gano mama, Twayaa saartham navatsyaami Bhutwaa Bhuteswaro Harah/ Tava Nandina pratishthaanam Vasishtho Bhagavan Rishih, Kartaa Desho shubhey tasmin mama chaapyuta Bhutaley/ Sannidhaanam karishyaamastatra nityam vayam Dwija, Purvotpannah sa Jyeshthesha-statra Lingo mama Dwija/ Tatraapi Sannidhaanam tey Nityam Vijnaatumarhasi, Rishikoti Sahasraani madbhaktyaa vaa Dwijo ttama/ Tatra samsnaapayanti sma Jyeshthesham tey sadaiva tu, Brahman Divyena toyena shubheynno -ttara maanasaat/ Teshaam tapah prabaavena Bhaktya cha mama Paarshada, Sodarasya cha Naagastha sthaanamuttara maanasah/ Swayam praapto Mahaabhaaa tatra ramsyasi nityashah, Yashmaaddeshaatta -dhaa yaati Dakshinena Mahaanadi/ Hiranyayani puraaya jalaa naamnaa Kanaka vaahini, Jyeshthesho vasati bhutairvasa praakaamyatey Dwija/
( Maha Deva blessed Nandi to secure a significant status among ‘Shiva Ganas’ and stay about a Yojana away to the East of that Place where he himself would be present at Hara Bhuteshwara in the Form of Jyeshthesha Linga and Sage Vasishtha would install Nandi as also of himself in his presence. He also assured Nandi that both he and Jyeshthesha would reside at that Place together always in his ‘Sannidhi’ and that Maha Deva’s devotees of ‘Rishi Koti’ would perform ‘Abhishekas’ with the Sacred Waters of the Lake ‘ Uttara Maanasa’. Nandi prostrated before Maha Deva and the latter himself accompanied Nandi to reach Uttara Maanasa Lake – flowing from ‘Hiranayani’/ ‘Kanakavaahini’ atop the peak of ‘Haramukuti’ mountain). [ Nilamata Purana]
Nandishwara in Linga Purana
Maharshi Shilada approached Indra Deva to bless him to a highly renowned and virtuous son who would be ‘ Ayonijam’ and ‘Mrityuheenam’ or unborn to a woman and deathless. Indra Deva expressed his inability and said: Na durlabho Mrityuheenastwa Putro hyayonijah, Mayaa cha Vishnunaa chaiva Brahmanaa cha Mahatmanaa/ ( It is not possible for Brahma or Vishnu to grant a son who would be unborn to a woman and would not die).
Maharshi Shilada then performed severe Tapasya for thousands of years and his body got degenerated to such an extent that it became a skeleton full of worms. Finally, Maha Deva granted his vision and Shilada’s wish: Tawa Putro bhavishyaami Nandi naamnaa twayonijah, Pitaa bhavisyaasi mama Pitrurvey Jagataam Muney/ (I shall grant you a son with the name of Nandi and he would be my son and would be popular like wise).
Then Nandi was born at Yagna Bhumi with the features of Maha Deva himself with Trinetras, Chaturbhjas and as Jataa mukuta and Vajra-Sarpa dhaari when Devatas rained fragrant flowers, Apsaraas danced and Gandharvaas sang tuneful hymns in praise of Lord Shiva and Nandi. Vasus, Rudras and Indra prayed respectfully and Devis like Lakshmi, Jyeshtha, Diti, Aditi, Nanda, Shachi, Bhadra and others rendered ‘Stutis’ to Nandi. Shailada Muni commended Maha Deva as well as Nandishwara and expressed his total satisfaction and gratitude.
As Nandishwara was taken into the ‘Parnashala’ or thached home of Shailada, Nandi assumed a human Rupa instead of Deva Swarupa. Shailada Muni was overjoyed, performed the child’s Jaata Karma and other Vedic Tasks and on the son’s attaining seven years performed his Yagnopaveeta dharana and ‘Upaasana’ of Gayatri and tendered him to the Ashram of Maharshi Mitraavaruna. The Guru taught Veda Vidya, Shastras and other Scriptures, besides Dhanur Vidya, Ayur Veda and MantraVidyas, Chatushashti Kaalas, Ashrama Dharmas and so on. Mitravaruna was very proud of the student and so was Muni Shilada; the Guru then blurted at that time of Nandi ‘s exit from Ashram that doubteless Bala Nandi displayed extra-ordinary brilliance as a fulfedged Scholar and accomplishment but was shortlived!
Shilada fainted at this disclosure for long and after regaining normalcy took to extreme Tapasya again to Maha Deva; even as Shilada was engaged in Tapasya, Shiva appreared, fondled Nandi, assured him not to get disturbed from what was stated by his Guru. He said that actually he sent messengers that Nandi’s life was almost over since his human birth would anyway be of Tapatrayas and hence he was terminating the Manava Janma to bestow Everlasting Life; by so saying, Maha Deva touched Nandi so that his physical body would fall down with his Jataa Mukuta etc and secure a permanent Rudra Rupa.
The Place where the human form of Nandi’s ‘Jatajuta’ fell on Earth was materialised into a Sacred River called Jatodaka and Nandi’s new Form was of a ‘Vrishabha’; Parama Shiva himself performed ‘Abhisheka’ on the new Form of Nandi and that Place came to be called Vrishadhwani, Jambunada or Panchanada and Vishwakarma gifted a Golden Mukuta or Headgear and Kundalaas or Ear Rings.
Thereafter Nandishwara familiarised with his mother Devi Girija and also the Ganaas, whom he was empowered as their Chief. Devi Parvati endeared the son who prostrated before her with veneration. Maha Deva declared to the Tri Lokas that Nandishwara was the son of Shiva and Parvati. Devas headed by Indra, Brahma, Vishnu , Dikpalakas, Maharshis, besides Yaksha-Gandharva-Muni and Yogi ganaas were all invited to a huge event where Nandishwara’s unique name was fame were known all over, where ever Maha Deva was known and indeed Maha Deva was acclaimed as the Supreme Lord of the Universe.
Parama Shiva granted a boon to Nandishwara that He would be in the ‘Sannithi’ (Presence) of Shiva always and any kind of worship to himself would be incomplete without any Service to Nandi ! Even great sins of the magnitude of Brahma hatya could be nullified by Shiva Puja but at first, Nande -swara should be propitiated without fail; Aadow kuryaanamaskaaram tadantey Shivataam Vrajet/ [Linga Purana]
Nandishwara in Varaha Purana
While Varaha Deva delineated the prominence of Vishnu oriented Tirthas as above to Bhu Devi, Sage Sanatkumar the ‘Manasa Putra’ (Mind-born son) of Lord Brahma approached the Lord and expressed happiness about the termination of Demon Tarakasura by Maha Deva as the whole World was rid of the menace, especially by Indra and Devas. But Sanatkumara felt that one mystery was still nagging in his mind as to why there were three Gokarneswara Tirthas, one the North Gokarna, another the Dakshina Gokarna and the third was Shringeswara. Lord Brahma explained the background in some detail: The Northern Peak of Mandarachal Mountain known as Munjavan is picturesque where a Nandana Garden existed with most alluring surroundings of glittering precious stones and heaven-like ambience of streams, flowers and fruits where Devas made their temporary resting places and so did Celestial Beings like Kinnaras who sang their sweetest tunes and performed their dances. Most significantly, Maha Deva used to often grace the Place in the form of ‘Sthanu Parameswara’.In the subsequent Treta Yuga, a Maha Muni called Nandi carried out a rigorous Tapasya for thousand years experiencing icy cold and extreme heat and Parameswara having tested his steadfast fortitude and unnerving faith finally gave ‘Sakshatkar’ and asked boons to bestow; but Nandi never yielded for ‘Prabhutva, Amaratva, Indratva, Brahmatva, Lokapaalatva -Royalty, Immortality, the position of Indra, Brahma, Lokapaala –but his Bhakti should be eternal, or else there should not be Bhakti at all!Very gladly, Shankara awarded the World’s highest windfall that Nandi would be unique like Shiva Himself, that he would be the conduit between all Devas and Danavas, Indra and Brahma and all the Highest Powers that be as Shiva’s own conscience! Thus Nandi the Head of Nandi Ganas became Trinetra, with Trishul, Danad, Pinaki, etc. like Second Shankara! In course of time, none could ever witness Shankara’s physical form as He had turned Himself as a Deer in the Sleshmatak Forest, a fact not known to Nandi even! Led by Nandi, all the Deities including Indra made vigourous searches the World over but to no avail. Lord Brahma in His inner vision over Tapasya discovered Parameswara as a Deer in the Sleshmatak Forest not far from the renowned Pasupathinath Temple in Nepal. Indra, Brahma and Narayana reached the Forest and found the uni-horn Deer, chased it and nearly caught hold of the horn – Indra the top portion, Brahma the middle and Vishnu the lower portion. Unfortunately for them, the horn gave way into their hands as three parts and all the three cursed their own helplessness. A voice was then heard that the three of them were able to catch only the horn and that too in three pieces. If only the entire body were caught and installed then Dharma Dhenu (the Cow of Virtue) would have been on all four legs. Anyway, they should install their respective pieces of the horn-the upper portion as Uttar Gokarneswar, the middle portion as Dakshina Gokarneswar and the lower portion at Slesheswar. Lord Shiva further said that on the foot hills of Himalayas called Nepal, He would in any case emerge on His own with four resplendent faces in four directions which would be famous as ‘Sariresh’ (Pashupathinath); Sudarshan Chakra of Sri Krishna tore the Mountains enabling Indra to terminate several Demons like Daman and the place became occupied with Mlecchhas eventually but Surya Vamsa Kshatriyas uprooted Mlecchhas and established a Hindu Kingdom. It is at this Illustrious Place where the Sacred Bagamati River originating from Himalayas flows that Slesheshvar Param Guha or the Sancrosant Cave had surfaced. There are any numbers of streams flowing where even a touch of the waters would destroy sins. To the South of Slesheswar is situated the ‘Anashak’ Tirtha which allows firm steps towards Mukti. Another Tirtha called ‘Bhrigu Prapatan’ destroys ‘Arishat Vargas’ (Six Enemies) viz. Kama (Desire) and Krodha (Anger); Groups of ‘Apsaras’ (Celestial Dansueses) take off by Vimans from this Place to ‘Swarga’. Lord Brahma Himself established ‘Brahmodabhed’Tirtha which has the reputation of abolishing ‘Rajo guna’if a devotee takes bath with Indriya-Nigrah or limb control for a year to qualify him to ascend to Brahma Loka. There is also a ‘Gorakshak’ Tirth a visit of which would bestow the benefit of ‘Sahasra-Daan’ or Charity of Thousand Cows. A Climb of Gauri Shikhar provides Devi- Sayujya. Down under the Mountain a bath in Baghmati River at ‘Ratna Kund’ blesses attainment of Skandalok. Even a simple bath at ‘Panchanadi Tirtha’ bestows the Punya of performing ‘Agnishtoma’.To North of Slesheswar is ‘Pranthakapaniya’ Tirtha where Gandharvas were renowned to worship Shiva. To North West, a sincere bath in ‘Brahmodaya Tirtha’along with ‘Sandhyopasana’ would assure that there would be no visit to ‘Mrityu loka’ and that there would not be any difficulties for the rest of life. The devotees who perform Pitra Tarpana and Shraddha in the Sangam Place of Bhagmati and Manivati Rivers would most certainly accomplish the best of Shiva Devas’ blessings!
Lord Indra situated the top portion of the ‘Shringa’ at Swarga itself. Brahma set up the middle portion of the Deer Horn at Gokarna and Lord Vishnu set it up at Shringeshwar. But Bhagavan’s body without the Horn has infinite forms! For example, Ravanaasura secured one linga which got enrtrenched in Earth beacause of the trickstery of Ganesha and tried to pull it tight and gave up! [Gokarna in North Karnataka is a Siddha Linga at Mahabaleswar Temple; the coverings of the Atma Linga sought to have been brought by Ravana fell at Dhareswar, Gunavantheswar, Murudeswar and Sajjeswar Temples, as popularly believed]
Tamil Purana Tiruvalaidal mentions another story in which Nandi took the form of a whale as Devi Parvati lost her concentration while Shiva was explaining the meaning of Vedas to her. Parvati incarnated as a fisherwoman for the atone. To unite his master and his beloved wife, Nandi took the form of a whale and started to trouble the people. Fisherwoman Parvati’s father told that anyone who killed the whale would marry his daughter. Later Lord Shiva took the form of a fisherman, killed the whale and got Parvati in her previous form.
Nandeshwara is stated to have learnt the secrets of Agamic and Tantrik Shastras from Devi Parvati herself and taught Brahma Manasaputras of Sanaka- Sanandana-Sanatana and Sanat Kumaras. The Nandi Naatha Sampradaaya appears to have been spread in ‘Ashta Dashas’ or Eight Directions. Agamas are stated to describe Nandeshwara as an anthropomorphyic form with the head of bull but with four hands with an axe, mace, an antelope and an ‘abhaya mudra’ assuring protection. This type of form is followed severally in in India as also in South East Countries especially in Cambodia within the ‘Alaya Garbha’ or the ‘sanctum sanctorium’ signfying ‘Atma Jnana’ or the Awareness of Jeevatma unified with Paramatma or the unification of the Self and the Supreme.
Disclaimer : Compiled, Composed and Interpreted by V.D.N.Rao
