Nandi Symbol – History And Meaning
The sacred bull calf Nandi has been identified as the Hindu deity Shiva’s animal vehicle or vahana—“mount”—since the Kushan dynasty around the 1st century CE.
Nandi is Shiva’s gatekeeper and chief attendant. He is frequently depicted as carrying a spear or a golden staff. He provides music for Shiva when the god dances the Tandava or the cosmic dance of creation. Nandi is also the guardian of all quadrupeds.
Images of a humped white bull on a platform commonly appear in most temples dedicated to Shiva. These sculptures are positioned facing the entrance door of Shiva’s shrine. This is done so in order for Nandi to be constantly gazing on his master, perpetually worshipping the god.
Nandi is partly behind the Hindu tradition of venerating living bulls today.
Nandi Symbol – History And Meaning
If you want to learn more about the Nandi symbol, read on to find out the meaning, history, and significance of this Hindu symbol.
Nandi History
The veneration of Shiva and his vahana, the sacred bull Nandi, can be traced back to the period of the Indus Valley Civilization. Various bull seals were discovered in Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, leading to the researchers’ conclusion that the tradition of worshipping Nandi has been around for thousands of years.
The distinguished zebu bull is said to be the most magnificent motif featured on the Indus seals with its wide curving horns and heavy dewlap. The zebu motif is commonly carved on large seals with short inscriptions. It is practically exclusive in the largest cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro.
The well-known Pasupati Seal is a soaprock seal discovered at the Mohenjo-daro archaeological site. The seal shows a seated figure identified as Shiva wearing a horned headdress and surrounded by animals. The Pasupati Seal is protected at the National Museum of India in New Delhi.
In Vayu Purana, Nandi is described as the son of the revered Vedic sage Kashyapa and the divine bovine-goddess Surabhi.
In Saura Purana, Nandi is Shiva’s gatekeeper. He is characterized as having three eyes and four arms and holding a trident or a thunderbolt. He is adorned with gold ornaments that glow “like a thousand suns.”
Devotees often dress Nandi’s statues with garlands, bells, and clappers. In most Hindu paintings, Nandi is frequently depicted as having solid white skin and ridden by Shiva. He is also featured with Shiva on Kushan gold coins in the 1st to 2nd century CE.
The Nandi Symbol
Nandi is the gatekeeper deity of Shiva’s abode, Mount Kailash—the Stairway to Heaven. He is depicted as a Gangireddu—a decorated ox—which has become a South Indian tradition.
Symbolically, the Nandi sitting toward a shrine in Shiva’s temples represents jiva or soul and the message that the jiva should always be focused on the Paramashiva (Shiva as the Supreme Being).
Nandi’s white color is symbolic of justice and purity.
Nandi Symbol Meaning
The word “Nandi” is taken from the Tamil root word, Nandhu, meaning “to grow,” “to flourish,” or “to appear.” Nandhu indicates the flourishing or growing of white bulls, as well as the divine bull Nandi.
In Sanskrit, nandi is translated as “joy and satisfaction,” which are the sacred bull Nandi’s attributes.
In ancient times, Nandi was called “Nandikeshvara” or Lord of Joy, the anthropomorphic form of Shiva’s attendant.
Nandi is also referred to as Salankayana.
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