25" Nandi, Lord Shiva’s Mount In Brass | Handmade | Made In India

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Item Code: XE96
Specifications:
Brass Sculpture
Height: 17.5 inch
Width: 25.6 inch
Depth: 13.4 inch
Weight: 17.53 kg
Handmade
Handmade
Free delivery
Free delivery
Fully insured
Fully insured
Shipped to 153 countries
Shipped to 153 countries
More than 1M+ customers worldwide
More than 1M+ customers worldwide

This highly ornate brass statue of a bull, beautifully anodized revealing various colour-effects, copper and gold in special, represents Nandi, or Nandin, the bull that served Shiva as his mount. With a high-raised hump and a body lengthier than normal this form of Nandi has great resemblance with Indus bull and has in it perhaps its ancestral links. There is now greater unanimity in regard to the fact that Indus people had some kind Shiva worship cult. Besides their dairy culture, the Indus people’s reverence for the bull seems to have been deeper than what they could have for an animal having material utility. Bull seems to have for them some special significance. In every likelihood, it seems, they perceived in Shiva and the bull some kind of affinity, perhaps Shiva using the bull as his mount, and hence they worshipped bull along with Shiva.

Since the earliest times, at least since the temple architecture had its beginning, Shiva and Nandi have inseparable unity. No Shiva temple was considered as complete, and no votive Shiva-ling, accomplished, unless it had an image of the Shiva’s mount Nandi facing it. A larger Panchayatana temple, a form of temple architecture with four subordinate corner-shrines that evolved in around the tenth century, as the famous Kandariya Mahadeva temple at Khajuraho, dedicated to Lord Shiva, essentially had a Nandi-shrine facing the main temple. In most of the early Shiva temples the Shiva-ling icons were installed in the centre of the inner chamber and Nandi images facing them with their backs turned to the main entrances. Sometimes Nandi statues were installed facing the votive Shiva-ling icons just outside the main entrances. In early texts such images of Nandi have been designated as Nandi-dhwaja. A dhwaja defined a temple’s identity as Shaiva or Vaishnava temple. Similar to Nandi-dhwaja the Vaishnava temples had Garuda-dhwaja. Vaishnava temples had Garuda icons sometimes on the temple’s ‘lalata’ – lintel, though in Shaiva temples, instead of a Nandi form, the lintel was defined by a Ganesh icon. In later temples, Ganesh emerged as the uniform lintel image for both Shaiva and Vaishnava temples.

Many Puranas allude to Nandi by different names. Here his status is quite different. Not an animal or Shiva’s mount, in Puranas Nandin was one of Shiva’s divine attendants – ‘Parshad’, like Virabhadra. Shiva considered both, Nandin and Virabhadra, as his sons. Nandin was the son of sage Shilad and his initial name was Shailadi. Shilad was childless. He performed rigorous penance dedicated to Shiva for a son. Shiva granted him the boon of a son. One day when tilling land for ‘yajna’ there unearthed from it a child having like Shiva himself three eyes, four arms and matted coiffure. Shilad brought the child but the moment it reached home it transformed into a normal child. Shilad named it Shailadi. When about eight-nine years, Shailadi learnt that he had a short life-tenure. To evade his early end Shailadi resorted to rigorous penance pleased by which Shiva blessed him with immortality and adopted him as his son and admitted him among his ‘Parshads’. Nandin had accompanied Sati when she went to attend her father Daksha’s ‘Yajna’, and later with Virabhadra he was one among them who destroyed Daksha’s ‘Yajna’ and killed Bhaga, one of the ‘purohits’. Puranas, however, do not reveal how from his human form Shailadi transformed into the bull Nandin. Maybe, disguised in animal forms Shiva’s ‘Parshads’ performed on stage for entertaining their Master, Shailadi chose to disguise as bull serving as mount to the main figure representing Shiva, and hence his transformation in popular mind.

The majestic look of the bull conforms to the animal’s divine status worthy of Shiva’s mount. Conceived with the gracefully raised head, gold-mounted horns and toes, three laces of bells on the neck, a gorgeous saddle ornamented with gold design-patterns and overlaid with extra gold-ornaments and a heavy gold-chain adorning the tail, all speak of the divine grandeur of the animal. Its large well-alert eyes and the forward-pushed front foot suggest that the animal is ready to move and act. By any parameters it presents the most accomplished example of metal-casting.

This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr. Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of literature and is the author of numerous books on Indian art and culture. Dr. Daljeet is the curator of the Miniature Painting Gallery, National Museum, New Delhi. They have both collaborated together on a number of books.

 


Nandi: The Symbolic Representation of Strength and Devotion in Hindu Mythology

Nandi is the guardian deity of Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva. The statue of Nandi, the Bull, is generally seen in a sitting posture on a raised platform with discipline and calmness at the entrance of the temple of Lord Shiva as the guard or doorman. He patiently waits for the Lord while gazing at the sanctum, demonstrating that individual souls should always be focused and surrendered to the Supreme Lord in all circumstances, without having any material desires. He symbolizes loyalty, truth, and righteousness, thus, preserving Dharma. Watchfulness and virility are the most important qualities of the Bull, that make him the perfect vaahan for Lord Shiva, the destroyer of the material world, to ride. The alertness of Nandi tells us the importance of being in the present moment (mindfulness). He is the head of all the attendants (Ganas) of Lord Shiva and is also considered to be the guardian of four-legged animals.

Having a round body, a hump appearing as a huge mountain, and heavy shoulders signify his strength and capacity to bear a heavy load. Being very dear to the Lord, the divine Bull is always decked with fascinating ornaments on his back, neck, and sharp horns.
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What is the significance of Nandi?

Nandi is the chief of 18 Siddhas and is considered the granter of boons to the devotees, and also symbolizes justice, faith, and purity. His mind completely absorbed in the service of Mahadeva depicts that he is the timeless wisdom and the path to the Absolute Truth, which means the Guru within. Without the mercy of the Guru, one cannot receive the grace of the Supreme Lord. Since Nandi is the eternal servant of Lord Shiva, one who tries to come closer to Lord Shiva and take his shelter, he should approach him by pleasing Nandi first.
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Why does Nandi sit in front of Shivling?

Nandi is always depicted sitting outside the sanctum of Lord Shiva, facing the Lord. He patiently waits for his master outside the temple as if ready to serve the Lord whenever he wants his service. This shows how Nandi always remains absorbed in the thoughts of Lord Shiva and is eager to please his master. A practicing devotee can learn from the attitude of Nandi that the only qualification needed to please the Supreme Lord is his sincerity and dedication to serve Him in all circumstances.
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Is it good to keep Nandi statue at home?

Lord Shiva is very dear to Nandi and similarly, Nandi is very dear to Lord Shiva. Keeping the statue of Nandi at your home altar means attracting the mercy of Lord Shiva in your life. It will bring all fortune and auspiciousness. However, keeping the statue of Nandi alone may not fulfill the ultimate purpose. Nandi, being an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, does not like to stay in a place where there is no worship of the lord. Thus, if you want to please Nandi, you should keep his statue along with the deity of Lord Shiva (Nandi gazing at the lord).

How to keep a Brass statue well-maintained?


Brass statues are known and appreciated for their exquisite beauty and luster. The brilliant bright gold appearance of Brass makes it appropriate for casting aesthetic statues and sculptures. Brass is a metal alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. This chemical composition makes brass a highly durable and corrosion-resistant material. Due to these properties, Brass statues and sculptures can be kept both indoors as well as outdoors. They also last for many decades without losing all their natural shine.

 

Brass statues can withstand even harsh weather conditions very well due to their corrosion-resistance properties. However, maintaining the luster and natural beauty of brass statues is essential if you want to prolong their life and appearance.

 

  • The best and simplest way to maintain a brass statue is to clean it at least twice a week using a soft cloth or cotton rag. This will prevent dust from accumulating on the surface. Dusting is especially important for outdoor statues since it is prone to dust accumulation much more than indoors.

 

 

  • To give a natural shine and luster to the statue, you may apply coconut or olive oil using cotton on every portion. You can use a toothbrush to get to the small crevices but do not be too harsh. This will make the brass statue appear fresh and new with a polished look.


  • In case you have a colored brass statue, you may apply mustard oil using a soft brush or clean cloth on the brass portion while for the colored portion of the statue, you may use coconut oil with a cotton cloth. 

 

Brass idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are especially known for their intricate and detailed work of art. Nepalese sculptures are famous for small brass idols portraying Buddhist deities. These sculptures are beautified with gold gilding and inlay of precious or semi-precious stones. Religious brass statues can be kept at home altars. You can keep a decorative brass statue in your garden or roof to embellish the area and fill it with divinity. 

Frequently Asked Questions
  • Q. Is the statue hollow or solid ?
    A. Brass statues are made through a process of clay casting, hence are hollow. Whereas, panchaloha bronze statues are made through a process of lost wax casting, hence they are solid.
  • Q. Can I see the original photo of the product ?
    A. For original pictures of the statue, kindly email us at help@exoticindia.com.
  • Q. Can I return the statue ?
    A. All returns must be postmarked within seven (7) days of the delivery date. All returned items must be in new and unused condition, with all original tags and labels attached. To know more please view our return policy.
  • Q. Can you customise the statue for me ?
    A. For any customisation, kindly email us at help@exoticindia.com.
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