Manasara Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Manasara-Shilpashastra; III. Manasara on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Manasara: Translation; V. Architecture of Manasara: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v2.c14.s49: Chapter LXII: The Bull (Vṛishabha-lakshaṇa-vidhāna)
Mānasāra Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Mānasāra-Śilpaśāstra; III. Mānasāra on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Mānasāra: Translation; V. Architecture of Mānasāra: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v2.c14.s49
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Chapter LXII: The Bull (Vṛishabha-lakshaṇa-vidhāna)
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The bull Nandin¹ is the animal of Śiva. Its image, which may be either recumbent or erect, is placed facing the Śiva temple on a pedestal (*pīṭha*), either inside the shrine, or in a pavilion (*maṇḍapa*) in front of the temple, or at the door. It is not measured in any *tāla* system. Various absolute and comparative measurements are prescribed. Its height, for instance, may be equal to the height of the idol (of Śiva), or up to its ears or arms, or the height may be from one cubit to nine cubits, or equal to three-fourths or one-half of the height of the door of the temple. The bull Nandin is made either solid or hollow, of iron (*lohaja*), stone, wood, *ābhāsa* (marble), *ratna* (precious stone), *sudhā* (stucco), baked clay (terra-cotta ?) and *śarkarā* (grit).
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¹ The image of the bull Nandin is regularly found in front of temples dedicated to Śiva. A well-known example is the colossal recumbent bull, placed opposite the famous *vimāna* of Tanjore. It is hewn out of one block of black granite and measures 16 feet in length and 13 feet in height. A remarkable bronze Nandin, which is found at Brāhmor (Chambā) in the Western Himālaya and which, on the evidence of an inscription, may be assigned to the seventh century A. D, is illustrated in the *Antiquities of Chamba State* (*Archaeological Survey of India*, New Imp. Series, vol. XXXVI, Part I plate X).
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The description and measurements of the various limbs of the bull are given in great detail. From the description it would appear that the bull of Śiva is white in colour except the four legs, the hoofs, and the ears, which are red. He is covered with a tiger-skin and wears not only garlands round the neck but even foot-rings or anklets (*nūpura*).