Hindu Dharma prescribes that one must have darshan of Nandi by touching both its horns, before having darshan of the pindi (Deity Shiva’s sacred symbol). This is known as Shrungadarshan. One should sit or stand to the right side of Nandi and place the left hand on Nandi’s testicles. Then, place the forefinger and the thumb of the right hand on the two horns of Nandi. Now, view the Shivalinga (Deity Shiva’s sacred symbol, also known as the Divine phallus) through the frame thus created by the finger, thumb and the horns. This is the correct way of doing Shrungadarshan.
1. Shrungadarshan (Viewing the linga through Nandi’s horns)
A. ‘Shrunga’ means various Divine plays of Shiva.
B. Nandi leads the Divine plays of Shiva : Shivagans (Attendants of Shiva) participate in various Divine plays of Shiva. The presiding Deity of Shivagans is Nandi, who leads the Divine plays of Shiva. The ichha-shakti of Shiva assumes an inherently Tej-form through the medium of Nandi and performs a task for the universe. The horns of Nandi represent the components having the ability to lead various Divine plays of Shiva.
C. Shiva’s shrungar is in the form of a porch above Nandi’s head in a dormant state (Known as Shivamandap) : The activated waves associated with the ichha-shakti emitted by Nandi’s horns are activated in the upward direction and create a ceiling, that is, a Shivamandap in the temple. This is known as the shrungar (Adornment) of Shiva associated with Maya through the medium of waves of Chaitanya. The word shrungar denotes exchange of Tej components in the form of energy between the goal (Shiva waves) and the medium (Subtle-body of the individual). Shrungar means the devotee individual’s prayers awakening Shiva’s waves that have gained momentum in the upward direction (the goal) and its reflection appearing in the form of bhav in the individual’s subtle-body, that has become alert due to sadhana (Spiritual practice). Thus, Shiva’s shrungar is in the form of a porch above Nandi’s head in a dormant state.’
2. Benefits of Shrungadarshan
The radiance emanating from the Shivapindi is too powerful for an ordinary individual to tolerate. Due to the emission of the sagun-marak (Materialised-Destroyer) waves of Shivatattva from Nandi’s horns, the Raja-Tama particles in the individual disintegrate & his sattvikta increases. Then, it becomes possible to absorb the powerful waves emanating from Shivapindi. If Shivapindi is viewed directly instead of through Nandi’s horns, the individual may be struck by the waves of radiance of the pindi and may face physical problems like sudden increase in body heat, numbness in the head, trembling of the body etc.
1. Sagun (Materialised) destroyer waves of Shiva Principle emitting from the horns of the Nandi cause disintegration of the Raja-Tama particles in the body of the individual
By touching the horns of Nandi, waves related to the Pruthvi-tattva (Absolute Earth Principle) and Apa-tattva (Absolute Water Principle) are transmitted to the body of the individual through the hand. Nandi is a symbol of the marak-shakti (Destroyer energy) of Deity Shiva. The sagun marak (destroyer) waves emitting from the horns of the Nandi cause disintegration of the Raja-Tama particles, helping to increase the sattvikta of the individual. This helps the individual in tolerating the energy waves emitting from the Shivalinga. Otherwise, these energies can create discomfort in the form of numbness of the head, tremors in the body etc.
2. By touching Nandi’s horns with the thumb and forefinger, the flow of Shakti (Divine energy) from Shivapindi gets activated in a larger proportion
The mudra (Posture of the hand) created by touching Nandidev’s horns with the thumb and forefinger bestows additional spiritual benefit to the devotee. You must be aware of the fact that, when air is released through a pipe, its speed and intensity are more; whereas, the air from a fan spreads in all directions. The mudra acts like a pipe. The flow of Shakti from the Shivapindi is activated in a larger proportion due to the mudra.
3. With this mudra, the vibrations of Shakti spread throughout the body.
3. Picture depicting subtle-benefits of Shrungadarshan
1. Accuracy of the picture based on subtle-knowledge : 80%
2. Positive vibrations in the picture : 4%’ – H.H. Dr Athavale
3. Other aspects
A. Nandi is Shiva’s vehicle, and hence, Nandi’s horns hold Shiva’s unmanifest kriya-shakti (Energy of action).
B. While having Shrungadarshan, the distressing energy on the individual’s body disintegrates and inappropriate thoughts get destroyed. His intellect is also purified.
C. The vibrations emitted by Shivapindi are so strong that an ordinary individual cannot tolerate them. With Shrungadarshan, he can easily imbibe them.
D. Shrungadarshan awakens the individual’s bhav and when he actually has the darshan of Shivapindi, his Atmashakti (Energy of soul) is awakened (for a few moments) and he also goes into a state of meditation.
– Ms Priyanka Lotlikar, Maharshi Adhyatma Vishwavidyalay, Goa
4. Why one should not stand or sit between the pindi and Nandi ?
The powerful sattvik waves emanating from Shiva are first attracted to Nandi and then Nandi emits them into
the environment. The main feature of Nandī is that he emits them only as per the requirement. Hence, the
individual having darshan of the pindi does not obtain the waves directly from Shiva. Thus, he is not distressed by the powerful waves of Shiva. What is important to note here, is that though the waves emanating from Shiva are sattvik in nature, since an ordinary individual’s spiritual level is not high enough, he is does not have the ability to absorb the sattvik waves. He may feel distressed. An ordinary individual should therefore not stand or sit between the pindi and Idol of Nandi while having darshan, but should stand beside the subtle-line joining the pindi with Nandi (stand on the side of the Idol of Nandi) while having darshan.
Picture based on subtle-knowledge showing the effects of darshan of Shivapindi by standing between Nandi and Shivapindi
| Vibrations | Standing Beside Nandi | Standing between Nandi and Shivapindi |
|---|---|---|
| Chaitanya | 2 | – |
| Shakti | 2.25 (Mild energy complementary to person) | 2 (Strong energy which is intolerable for the person |
A. Shiva and Shri Vishnu are superior Deities. Hence, they (their Idols) emit Shakti in a greater proportion.
B. Creation of heat in the body of an ordinary individual due to waves of manifest Shakti emitted directly from Shiva and its harmful effect on him : When an ordinary individual has darshan by standing between the Shivapindi and Nandi, the manifest waves of Shakti emitted by the Shivapindi strike on the body of the individual. The individual with an average spiritual level is unable to imbibe the waves of mārak manifest Shakti. As a result, heat is generated in his body, which has a harmful effect on his body.
C. When darshan of the pinḍ ī is taken by standing beside the Nandi, Shiva’s Shakti turns mild due to Nandi and can be imbibed : Nandi in front of Shivapindi transforms the manifest Shakti emitted by the Shivapindi into a mild Shakti, and then performs the task of making it available to the individual. Hence, the individual can easily imbibe the Shakti that is inherently in Shivatattva form by standing beside Nandi and having darshan.
D. Creation of obstacles for waves of manifest Shakti emitted by Shivapindi due to Raja-Tama components in the individual : The waves of manifest Shakti emitted by the Shivapindi move rhythmically. The Raja-Tama components in the individual create obstacles in the fl ow of these waves and they begin to fl ow in a crooked manner.’
– Ms Priyanka Lotlikar, Maharshi Adhyatma Vishwavidyalay, Goa
Reference : Sanatan’s Holy Text, How should one have darshan in a temple?
