Rudra-Shiva concept (Study)
by Maumita Bhattacharjee | 2018 | 54,352 words
This page relates ‘Nandishvara incarnation of Shiva’ of the study on the Rudra-Shiva concept in the Vedic and Puranic literature, starting with the concept of God as contemplated by the Rishis (Vedic sages). These pages further deal with the aspects, legends, iconography and eulology of Rudra-Shiva as found in the Samhitas, Brahamanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads Sutras and Puranas. The final chapters deal with descriptions of his greatness, various incarnations and epithets.
16. Nandīśvara incarnation of Śiva
In the Śiva Purāṇa, it is said that once, the great sage Śilāda, who desired a son, performed a severe penance in order to please Indra. Indra delighted at his penance wanted to give him a boon. Śilāda told Indra that he desired to have a son who will be born of holy rites, will not be born of a womb and will be free from death. To this, Indra replied that neither he (Indra) nor Brahmā and Viṣṇu could give him such a son except Śiva. Then Śilāda began to propitiate lord Śiva for a thousand years. Lord Śiva was pleased at his severe penance and gave him a boon that he himself shall become the son of Śilāda by the name of Nandin and shall not be born of a womb. Then lord Śiva was born as a son of Śilāda by the name of Nandin.[1]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Ibid., 3.6.5-34