Nandikeshvara's Abhisheka and Marriage

Nandikeshvara said

Having gone there with a good mind, I stayed in one spot and tormented myself with fierce austerities hard even for virtuous sages. In the lotus of my heart I meditated on the three-eyed divinity in his three-eyed, ten-armed, five-faced, serene Sadashiva form, and by supreme meditation did japa of Rudra's name, controlled, on the northern bank of that sacred river. Shiva was pleased with the japa. Mahadeva, with the half-moon as ornament and with Uma, said he was satisfied with the austerities, which Shilada's intelligent son had done well, and told him to say what was in his mind. Addressed so, I bowed my head at his feet, full of great devotion, eyes full of tears. Paramesha raised me, touched me with hands that remove the greatest afflictions, gathered me up and stood before me. The lord of the universe glanced at the gana leaders and Devi, Himalaya's daughter, and looked at me with compassion. He said I should not fear death, that he had himself sent those two brahmanas, that I was undoubtedly his equal, free of old age and death and misery, always a ganapati, free of change, with my father and well-wishers, and that my efforts would be inexhaustible. I would always be his attendant and strength, always loved by him, and by his favour never suffer birth, old age or death. Saying this the ocean of compassion took the lotus garland from around his head and quickly hung it round my neck. As soon as that auspicious garland hung on my neck I became three-eyed and ten-armed, like a second Shankara. Parameshvara took my hand and asked what excellent boon he should give. He took the sparkling water wound like a necklace in his matted hair and said, "Be Nandi." When Vrishadhvaja released the water, five rivers with auspicious streams began to flow, with excellent water, very swift, handsome and divine: Jatodaka, Trisrota, Vrishadhvani, Svarnodaka and Jambunadi. In this region of Panchanada is Shiva's auspicious spot, near Japeshvara, supremely sacred. A person who goes to Panchanada, bathes, does japa to Ishvara and worships there certainly reaches union with Shiva.

Then Shambhu asked Uma whether she thought he should consecrate Nandi and proclaim him lord of the ganas. She said he should bestow that on Nandi, since Shilada's son was very dear to her. Self-ruling Parameshvara, always kind to devotees, called to mind all his excellent gana leaders, and as soon as Rudra remembered them they all arrived, innumerable, delighted, with Shankara's own form. All bowed to Shiva and Devi, shoulders lowered and hands joined, and asked why he had remembered them: would they dry up oceans, kill Yama and his servants, deliver Death to a great death, kill the aged lotus-born Brahma, bind Indra and the gods or Vishnu and his attendants, or bring the daityas and danavas angrily? Whom were they to torment at his command, or who needed to be made festive, with every desire and prosperity? Hearing the brave-spoken ganas, Parameshvara praised them and said Nandishvara was his son, Ishvara of all the lords, loved by him; they should act as he said and make him foremost among the ganas, lovingly consecrate him as his refuge and lord of the ganas, and from that day Nandishvara would be lord over all of them. The gana leaders assented and brought the materials. The gods and Indra, with Narayana foremost, and sages from all the worlds arrived with joy on their faces. Engaged by Bhagavan Shankara, Brahma controlled himself and performed everything for Nandi's consecration. Vishnu, Shakra, the guardians of the worlds and the rishis, led by Brahma, praised me with hymns, and Vishnu, lord of the whole universe, controlled himself, joined his hands above his head, praised me, bowed and cried victory. After Brahma and the gods consecrated and praised me, all the gana lords, gods and asuras did so as well.

Instructed by Paramesha, who engaged Brahma, my marriage ceremony was also performed. Vishnu, Brahma and the others lovingly arranged great festivities. The beautiful Suyasha, daughter of the Maruts, became my divine wife and delighted my mind. She had an umbrella with the colour of the moon, and women of good qualities fanned her with whisks. She and I sat on an excellent throne. Great Lakshmi decorated me with a crown and other fine ornaments, and Devi gave me an excellent necklace she herself used to wear. I received an Indra among bulls, a white elephant, a lion, another lion for my standard, a chariot and a golden necklace like the lunar disc, and many other things. With the marriage over, I worshipped with my wife at the feet of Shambhu, Shivaa, Brahma and Hari. Full of great affection, Shiva, lord of the three worlds and kind to devotees, spoke to me and my wife. He said that, out of affection, he had given as a boon whatever our minds wished, that he and Devi would always be pleased with us, and that I would always be special and desired by him, with supreme prosperity. With my father and grandfather I would be a great yogi and archer, never vanquished and defeating everyone, strong and always worshipped. I would be wherever he was and he wherever I was. My father would have supreme prosperity, become a leader of ganas, be strong and a devotee, and my grandfather likewise; it was Shiva's rule that anyone who comes into his presence receives excellent boons.

Devi, the giver of boons, then told Nandi to ask for any boon he desired. I folded my hands and asked that my devotion to her feet always be firm, and she assented. Shivaa spoke affectionately to Suyasha, granting her three eyes and that she would never be born again, with sons and grandsons and devotion to Devi like her husband's. By Shiva's command Brahma, Vishnu and all the gods affectionately granted boons to her as well. Isha comforted my relatives and kin, then took me with him, mounted the bull and with Devi returned to his residence. Vishnu and the other gods, delighted, praised Shiva and Shivaa and left for their own abodes. Nandi said he had thus told of his own avatara. This account constantly delights people and increases devotion to Shiva, and one who with faith and devotion reads or hears it, or has it read and heard, the account of Nandi's birth, his boons, consecration and marriage, enjoys all happiness here and attains the desired goal after death.