Adhikara Nandi in Hindu religion is a popular form of Nandikeshwara, the bull of Shiva in South India.
In this form, Nandi is represented in human form – in the form of Shiva. Adhikara
Nandi form has four hands. As per Sivarchana Chandrika of Appayya Dikshita, the
two back hands hold battle axe (parashu) and antelope (mruga). The two front
hands are folded on the chest in anjali posture. He is red complexioned and has a shaft on his
shoulder and sword at his hip level. He wears Vibhuti and rudraksha. In other
aspects, the Adhikara Nandi is quite similar to Dakshinamurti Shiva.
Why The Name Adhikara Nandi?
Nandi is the chief of the Shiva ganas. He has commanding
power over the millions of ganas. As he has authority or adhikara over the
ganas he is known as Adhikara Nandi.
Adhikara Nandi Stories
As per one story, Adhikara Nandi appeared from the right
side of the body of Bhagavan Vishnu. Rishi Salakayana desired to have a son
resembling Shiva. He performed intense tapas for achieving his desire. He
propitiated Bhagavan Vishnu for several years. Pleased with the devotion and
determination of Sage Salakayana, Bhagavan Vishnu blessed him with a boy
resembling Shiva.
Another legend has it that a Sage named Nandi did intense
penance of Shiva and became the chief of ganas.
Yet another legend has it that a blind sage named Shilada
performed a power yajna. A young boy resembling Shiva appeared from the yajna.
Rishi Shilada was in joy on hearing about the appearance of the boy. Hugging
him brought intense joy or nandi to him. As the boy brought joy to him he was
named Nandi.
As per Linga Purana, Shilada found Nandi while digging stones.
Shilada had performed an intense penance towards Shiva to get a child to rescue
his forefathers from hell. Shiva blessed the sage that he will get a son not
from the womb. Shilada who lived by eating stones found the child while digging
for stones.
Adhikara Nandi Form
Adhikara Nandi is widely worshipping in Shiva temples in
South India. Sometimes he is depicted as having the face of bull. Mostly, the
murti has human face and is in standing posture. But there are also murtis of
Adhikara Nandi in sitting posture.
In sitting posture he holds axe (parashuvu) in right back
hand and an animal in the left back hand and Varada Hastam in the front right
hand and Adhikara Dandam in the front left hand.
As per Linga Purana, Adhikara Nandi is dark complexioned and
is adorned with jatamakuta. He has three eyes and four hands. He holds shoola,
tanka, gada and vajra. He has diamond kundala and they made sound like clouds.
Adhikara Nandi is an important Vahana during the Panguni
festival at the Mylapore Kapaleeswarar Temple.