Yesterday evening the Lord's vehicle was the Adhikara Nandi. There are
two types of Nandi statues at Siva Temples, the more common is that of the
recumbent bull (Vrsabha) and the other is that of Adhikara Nandi. In the case
of Arunachaleswarar Temple, the Adhikara Nandi of last night's function is in
the form of a bull-headed human standing on two legs.
Adhikara Nandi's two back hands hold a parasu (battle axe) and mrga
(antelope) and the two front hands are folded on the chest in a pose of
obeisance. Since he is the chief of the ganas of Siva, exercising his authority
(adhikara) over them, he is christened as 'Adhikara Nandi.'
The white bull—Nandi—is the divine vehicle of Lord Shiva, the
Destroyer. He is the chief of the ganas, Shiva's attendants. Nandi means
'happy'.
Nandikesvara, Lord of happiness, one of Shiva's ganas was fond of dance
and music. He was born of the Divine progenitor Kashyapa and the Divine cow
Surabhi. He married Suyasha, the daughter of the Maruts. As his life was coming
to an end, he prayed to Shiva to lengthen his life. Shiva granted him
immortality and leadership over His ganas. He was given the title “Adhikara
Nandi” (or “authoritative Nandi'), for it is only with Nandi's grace and
permission that one can enter the temple of Shiva. Adhikara Nandi took on a
human form as a bull-headed human standing on two legs (or in some instances a
bull standing erect on his rear legs).
Nandi is more than Shiva's vahana or vehicle. As the chief of Shiva's
attendants, he is also the guardian of all four-legged animals. Nandi is
essential to every Shiva Temple—the sanctum sanctorum of each Temple, where the
deity may be in a human or linga form, has an image of Nandi facing the shrine.
There is a story that Vrishabha Deva or Nandi was very proud of his
role as the vehicle of the Supreme Lord Shiva himself. To teach him a lesson,
Shiva placed a lock of his hair on the bull, who was unable to bear the weight.
Realising that he had been arrogant, Nandi begged Shiva's pardon. Shiva forgave
him and initiated him into divine knowledge.
Nandi completes the image of the happy family. In days gone by, people
depended on the bull for transportation. The bull was thus the vehicle both for
Shiva and man. He is also a symbol of how a powerful animal, imbued with Divine
authority, is also a gentle and humble worker and helper to both the Gods and
man.
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| Panchamoorthies giving Darshan |
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| Adhikara Nandi Vahana before decorating |
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| Adhikara Nandi Vahana on Procession |
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| Goddess Parashakti on Her Vahana the mythological bird Annapakshi |
