Shiva and Nandi - Antique Thai Style Rattanakosin Shiva and Nandi Statue - 27cm/11"

Shiva and Nandi - Antique Thai Style Rattanakosin Shiva and Nandi Statue - 27cm/11"

Measures - (Height) 27cm/11"

An antique Thai style lacquered and gilded bronze Shiva seated on his mount or vahanas Nandi.

One of the most famous and enduring relationships in Hindu iconography is that of the god Shiva and his mount, Nandi the bull.

The Hindu deity Shiva, riding his usual mount, the bull Nandi, is shown with a small seated Buddha at the top of his head. The story, which dates from the beginning of the 1800s, emphasizes the Buddha's superiority to the Hindu god. To show off his power, Shiva challenged the Buddha to a serious contest of hide-and-seek.

Shiva covered himself with one thousand layers of dirt and hid deep within the earth. The Buddha found him easily. When it was Shiva's turn to search, the Buddha placed himself above Shiva's head. After a long and strenuous search, Shiva still could not find the Buddha and begged him to appear. The Buddha appeared and then preached to Shiva. After the Buddha's death Shiva built a shrine to house a beautiful Buddha image.

Shiva is one of the most powerful and revered deities in Hinduism. He is part of the Hindu trinity (Trimurti), which includes Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer or transformer. Shiva's role in the cosmic cycle is to destroy and dissolve, allowing for the renewal of the universe. This destructive aspect is not seen negatively; rather, it is essential for the process of creation and regeneration, maintaining the balance of the cosmos.

Shiva is often depicted as an ascetic yogi, meditating in the Himalayas, adorned with a crescent moon on his head, and holding a trident (trishul) and a drum (damru). He is also shown with a serpent coiled around his neck, signifying his control over life and death. Shiva's association with asceticism and meditation reflects his mastery over the physical and spiritual worlds, making him a god of paradoxes: both a destroyer and a creator, both a hermit and a householder, both fierce and gentle.

Nandi is a celestial bull and the vahana (mount) of Shiva. The name "Nandi" means "joy" or "bliss," and Nandi is considered a symbol of strength, loyalty, and auspiciousness. As the mount of Shiva, Nandi holds an elevated position in Hindu mythology, embodying several important qualities that complement Shiva’s nature.

This sacred connection between the two not only reflects the unique qualities of both Shiva and Nandi but also holds deep symbolic meanings that speak to devotion, strength, and the balance between the spiritual and material worlds.

The relationship between Shiva and Nandi goes beyond their mythological and iconographic depictions—it also carries deep spiritual significance. The pairing of the ascetic god Shiva and the powerful, loyal bull Nandi represents the balance between the spiritual and material worlds, the need for both inner strength and devotion, and the importance of selfless service.

The connection between Shiva and his mount Nandi is a profound and multi-layered symbol in Hinduism. Nandi is not just a mere vehicle for Shiva; he is a symbol of devotion, strength, and purity—qualities that complement and enhance Shiva’s transformative power.

Together, they represent the union of the transcendent and the material, the spiritual and the worldly, and the importance of both inner discipline and outer action on the spiritual journey.

In temples, in art, and in the hearts of millions of devotees, the relationship between Shiva and Nandi continues to inspire, teaching us the importance of devotion, loyalty, and strength in our own spiritual pursuits.

The divine bond between Shiva and Nandi remains a powerful reminder of the ideals that guide the Hindu path to liberation.

Scholarly Reference:

Asian Art Museum - OBJECT NUMBER 2006.27.36.a-.b

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