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Nandi the bull-calf is the mount or vehicle of
Lord Shiva. As Shiva’s most devoted disciple, his
image is often placed directly opposite Shiva’s
shrine in Hindu temples. Regularly honoured by
worshippers with offerings of flowers and
incense, sculptures of Nandi are often touched in
the hope that devotees will be able to imitate the
strength of his devotion to Shiva. It is not known
when these two deities first came to be
associated but there is a long history of devotion
to bulls in Asia. The early civilisation of the Indus
Valley in particular (c. 3000-2000 BC) clearly
held the bull in high veneration- producing
images in stone and terracotta. In Sanskrit Nandi
means ‘joyfulness’ or ‘He who gives joy.’ This
refers to the emotions experienced by the
devotee in the presence of Shiva.
The scale of this example suggests it was used
for private devotion, or possibly donated to a
temple as a votive offering. Dating from the
twelfth-thirteenth centuries, the sculpture is in
remarkably good condition, with minor losses
from the nose, horns and base. Traces of red
pigment survive on the surface suggesting it was
once fully polychromed. The bull is recumbent
with his front legs stretched out in front of him
in a pose of adoration (presumably towards
Shiva). A simple rectangular rug covers his back
and a double-string of rectangular beads hangs
impressively around his neck. A harness has
been placed around his slightly upturned head,
which bears a wonderfully benign and peaceful
expression. The ears are long but the horns are
barely out. This is in accordance with Nandi
iconography which refers to him as a calf. The
slender tail is tucked gracefully between his back
legs. This work is remarkable, both for the
quality of the carving and its early date. (AM)
- (FF.101)
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