Nandi

Bull mount, gatekeeper, and chief devotee of Shiva

Parentage

Recorded default; alternative parentage accounts are listed separately below.

No parents recorded in the default.

Parentage accounts

Each account is a separate source claim. The parentage and children listed outside these accounts use the recorded default. Selecting an account in the interactive app updates its lineage, descent classification and inherited-power candidates. Linked pedigree accounts are selected together; other records retain their recorded parentage. Claims of ancestry are not proof of biological descent or attested powers.

• Śilāda’s son without womb birth (Śatarudra account)

  deity by descent in this account.

  • father: ŚilādaShiva Purana 3.6.31–49, Nandin and Shilada (primary)
  Shiva Purana 3.6.31–49, Nandin and Shilada (primary)
• Called son by Śiva and Pārvatī at coronation (social kinship)

  deity by descent in this account.

  • parent: ShivaShiva Purana 3.7.10–22, 31–57, coronation and marriage (primary)
  • parent: ParvatiShiva Purana 3.7.10–22, 31–57, coronation and marriage (primary)
  Shiva Purana 3.7.10–22, 31–57, coronation and marriage (primary)

Variant accounts

• manifestationNandin assumes a human form in Shilada’s home; later Shiva grants freedom from death and leadership of the ganas. These episodes describe transformation and social kinship.Shiva Purana 3.6.31–49, Nandin and Shilada (primary); Shiva Purana 3.7.10–22, 31–57, coronation and marriage (primary)

Domains

• devotion
• guardianship

Powers

• Bear Shiva as his bull-mount and chief attendant

Epithets

• नन्दिकेश्वर devanagari · Nandikeśvara'Lord Nandi' — chief of Śiva's gaṇas and gatekeeperŚiva Purāṇa (primary)
• अधिकारनन्दि devanagari · Adhikāranandi'Nandi the office-holder / chief steward of Śiva'Śaiva Āgama tradition (secondary)

Relations

• companion: ShivaBull mount, gatekeeper, and foremost devotee/attendant (gana) of Shiva; not a blood relation, hence companion.Shiva Purana, Shatarudra Samhita (Nandi, the bull-vehicle and chief gana/gatekeeper of Shiva) (primary)
• spouse: SuyaśāShiva Purana 3.7.10–22, 31–57, coronation and marriage (primary)
• social child of: ŚilādaThe text names Shilada father while expressly excluding womb birth.Shiva Purana 3.6.31–49, Nandin and Shilada (primary)
• incarnation of: ShivaShiva promises to become Shilada’s son under the name Nandin.Shiva Purana 3.6.31–49, Nandin and Shilada (primary)

Sources

• existence: Shiva Purana (primary); Linga Purana (primary)