Nandin the Vaiśya

Nandin was a devout vaiśya (a member of the merchant community). He lived in Indragrāma, a village on the bank of the river Śābhramatī. Every day he served Bhagavān Śiva at the Dhavaleśvara liṅga.

A hunter named Mahākāla, a man full of pāpa (sin), kept disturbing Nandin’s careful pūjā with his rough but sincere offerings. Nandin finally moved the liṅga to his own house. This led to the hunter’s deep anguish. Bhagavān Śiva then appeared and took both Nandin and the hunter as his gatekeepers at Kailāsa.

Who Nandin was

Nandin was a vaiśya who lived in Indragrāma. The village was named after Indra, who had come there to cleanse himself of brahmahatyā (the pāpa of killing a brāhmaṇa). Nandin was known for his careful and loving pūjā of Bhagavān Śiva. He rose every day at dawn and went to the tapas grove (the grove of austerity). There he offered flowers and fruits to the Dhavaleśvara liṅga according to the rules of the śāstras. His pūjā was orderly and strict, and he did it with great care. This is from Chapter 151.

The meeting with Mahākāla

Nandin’s careful daily pūjā was broken when a hunter named Mahākāla came to the liṅga. In his rough way the hunter kicked Nandin’s flowers aside with his foot. He bathed the liṅga with water from his mouth. He offered bilva leaves together with deer flesh.

Nandin was alarmed. He saw this as a pollution and a vighna (obstacle) to his pūjā. He spoke to his family priest, who proposed that they hide and catch the one who did it. This is from Chapter 151.

Nandin’s decision

Nandin and his priest were both there at the hunter’s second visit. The hunter looked so terrifying that both hid in fear. Nandin saw that he could not stop this rough worship. He decided to move the liṅga to his own house, to keep it safe from more disturbance.

Nandin meant well. But this very act caused the great anguish of the hunter Mahākāla. It led to his dramatic act of self-offering, and that brought Bhagavān Śiva himself to appear. This is from Chapter 151.

Raised to Kailāsa

Bhagavān Śiva appeared before the grieving hunter. He was pleased by the hunter’s unrestrained bhakti (devotion). Bhagavān Śiva honoured both Nandin, the pious vaiśya devotee, and Mahākāla, the fierce hunter. He took both into his divine service as gatekeepers at Kailāsa. So Nandin the vaiśya stands at the door of Bhagavān Śiva beside the hunter who had disturbed his pūjā. He is joined with his old opponent in the highest service of Bhagavān Śiva. This is from Chapter 151.

Sources

• Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Uttara Khaṇḍa, Chapter 151