Nandi is the bull, which Shiva rides and the gatekeeper of Shiva in Hindu mythology. A statue of Nandi facing the main shrine is seen in most Shiva temples. There are also a number of temples dedicated solely to Nandi. The bull Nandi is Shiva's primary vehicle and is the principal gana (follower) of Shiva. Some Puranas mention that Nandi lead the Siva Ganas, Siva's attendants. In addition to being his mount, Nandi is also Shiva's foremost disciple. According to some Puranas, Nandi was born out of the right side of Vishnu resembling Siva exactly and given as a son to the sage Salankayana. 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. Once when the Gods (devas), and the demons (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. Vasuki was upset during the process of this churning, and vomited up a poison. This "poison" was so dangerous that none of the devas or asuras wanted to go near it. 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. Shiva took the poison into his hand and drank it. 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".
Description
Nandi is the bull, which Shiva rides and the gatekeeper of Shiva in Hindu mythology. A statue of Nandi facing the main shrine is seen in most Shiva temples. There are also a number of temples dedicated solely to Nandi. The bull Nandi is Shiva's primary vehicle and is the principal gana (follower) of Shiva. Some Puranas mention that Nandi lead the Siva Ganas, Siva's attendants. In addition to being his mount, Nandi is also Shiva's foremost disciple. According to some Puranas, Nandi was born out of the right side of Vishnu resembling Siva exactly and given as a son to the sage Salankayana. 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. Once when the Gods (devas), and the demons (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. Vasuki was upset during the process of this churning, and vomited up a poison. This "poison" was so dangerous that none of the devas or asuras wanted to go near it. 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. Shiva took the poison into his hand and drank it. 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".
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