Nandi !

Nandi, a bull in the Hindu culture, is regarded as Lord Shiva’s vehicle. We see this bull sitting at the entrance of every Shiva temple. I feel Nandi is an unsung and undervalued statues of the living world. The Hindu culture is rife with metaphors and symbolism. And although these metaphors are ancient, their messages are relevant even today.

Nandi, the bull, is a symbol of endless waiting. He is not expecting his lord Shiva to come out soon and bless him. And waiting, despite its interpretations today, was considered as a virtue in ancient times. One who is simply sitting and waiting is naturally meditative. And one who is naturally meditative has cultivated the habit of uninterrupted listening. It includes listening to your own self, your thoughts, your existence and also to others – their thoughts, their ideas, and their emotions openly. Listening is at the heart of receptivity.  

Likewise, it’s not just deep listening that the bull’s deity radiates – it is also patience. Patience tests the purity of intentions. And Hindu culture emphasizes on intentions more than anything else. 

Nandi is waiting there in silence… and patience for his Lord. He is not seeking instant gratification. 

And one day when the time is right, and when he is ready, the Lord will come out and bless Nandi generously for his virtues. Until then he will wait in patience, in alert and with the right intentions. Perhaps there is a solid link between modern success virtues and ancient mysticism.