Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Lord Nandikeshwara is superior
amongst Siddhars who is well – versed in the philosophy of Shaiva
Siddhantha/Shivagamas. Nandikeshwara
attained the highest of the pieties to become the celestial vehicle of the
Supreme Lord Shiva. It is evident in all
shrines of Lord Shiva that Lord Nandikeshwara positioned before the main deity,
the lungful air which represents the Dharma/righteousness/Veda released through
the nose of Lord Nandikeshwara creates powerful waves that immerse in the navel
of the supreme Lord as life support and it should flow immaculately without any
hurdle. Therefore, it has become a
strict practice that the worshipper should not cross these powerful waves
during their temple visit. The holy
texts and scriptures praise Lord Nandikeshwara in different names such as
Rudra, Shailadhi, Agniroopa, Mrudanga Vadhya Priyan, Shiva Vahana, Karunakara
Murthy, Veeramurthi, Dhanapriyan, Kanakapriyan, Shivapriyan etc..
Sage Vedahavya committed a sin
during his childhood; he mischievously tossed stones in place of alms in the
vessel of a devotee of Lord Shiva.
Later, Sage Vedahavya realized with his yogic powers that it was
predestined after his death he should spend another birth in the form of a rock
to get released from the sin committed, so he determined to remain rock/motionless
in present life, consequently Sage Vedahavya famously known as Sage
Shiladha. Sage Shiladha was remained
ascetic for several years, due to this he lacked successor to perform homage to
ancestors. Later, he was married to a
chaste woman Chithravathi to have a progeny to please his ancestors;
unfortunately this couple had no offspring for quite some time. Sage Shilada was distressed at the thought of
lack of offspring. He was a passionate
devotee of Lord Shiva in Thiruvaiyar /Ayyarapar. Sage Shiladha underwent severe austerities and
worshipped Lord Shiva to have a virtuous offspring. Lord was pleased at the devotion of sage
Shiladha, a mysterious voice instructed Sage Shiladha to conduct Putrakameshti
Yaga to have a child like Lord Shiva, also proclaimed that the child will live
only up to sixteen years. Sage Shiladha
was delighted at the compassion of Lord, he arrived at the hills of Srishailam following
the divine instruction of Lord Indra, while preparing the land for Yaga arena an
marvelous golden box emerged from the Earth, it was
contained a striking child, it has four shoulders, three eyes, matted hair
locks embellished with the crescent moon has the resemblance of Lord
Shiva. Sage Shiladha was in a state of
ecstasy prostrated before the child.
Instantly a mysterious voice commanded Sage Shiladha to close the box at
once and open. Amazingly, this time Sage
Shiladha and his wife Chithravathi witnessed a stunning boy child in the box,
they named the child Nandi,provider of eternal happiness. The couple was extremely delighted at the
birth of Nandi.
Nandi was brought to the temple
of Lord Shiva at Thiruvaiyar/Aiyyarappar and naming ceremony was performed and
called Jepeshwar. The divine child of
Lord attained profound knowledge in Veda/Vedanta and Sastra in the early years
of childhood. In the meantime Mithra and
Varuna visited Sage Shilada and reminded him that Nandi has another year to
live on Earth. Sage Shiladha was
devastated at the misfortune of young Jepeshwar who was extremely intelligent
and charming. Jepeshwar pacified his
parents and left to the temple of Lord Shiva/Aiyyarappar. He took holy bath in the temple pond and
underwent severe penance worshipping Lord Shiva and prayed for long life to
serve his old parents, his penance continued for several years and the water
creatures started to consume his body little by little. Lord was pleased at the austerities, devotion
and dedication of Japeshwar and appeared before him and blessed him with long
life as he was desired, eventually Japeshwar regained his health and
mesmerizing features with the brilliance of Lord Surya.
Sage Shiladha desired to get
Japeshwar married to virtuous young maiden, Swayamprakasha who was the Granddaughter
of Sage Vashishta, daughter of Sage Vyagrapadha, and sister of Sage Upamanyau. The grand marriage ceremony was held in
Thirumazhaippadi, one of the prominent temples of Lord Shiva on an auspicious
day of Panguni – Punarvasu in the presence of Lord Aiyyarappar with his consort
Goddess Sri Aramvalartha Nayaki.
Finally, Japeshwar with his severe austerities, devotion and dedication
to Lord Shiva attained highest of the merits such as the celestial vehicle of
Lord Shiva & Goddess Sri Parvati, supreme amongst the mentors of Shaiva Siddhantha
and chief of Lord Shiva’s Ganas honored with the title Nandikeshwara.
Please click the link below to
read :
Saptha Sthana Kshetram !!
Thiruvaiyaru Thiru Aiyyarappar Temple !!
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