Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c27.10

v4.c27.10

The name Nandikēśvara, ‘the tawny coloured dwarf’ and a follower of Śiva occurs in the Rāmāyaṇa (V. 17, Sec. 16 of the Uttara-kāṇḍa). There he is stated to be another manifestation of Śiva (apara tanuh) and that when he was keeping guard over the Kailāsa, Rāvaṇa, the lord of Laṅkā and of the Rākshasas, came driving in his ærial car and wanted to cross the abode of Śiva. But he was NANDIKĒŚVARA OR ADHIKĀRANANDI.