Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c27.15

v4.c27.15

An illustration of Adhikāra-Nandin is given on Pl. CXXXI. The original of the photograph therein reproduced is in the temple of Śiva at Vaḷuvūr. It is sculptured precisely like Śiva in the aspect of Chandraśekharamūrti, carrying the paraśu and the mriga in the back right and left hands respectively, and standing upon a padmāsana; but unlike Chandraśekharamūrti who keeps the front right and left hands in the abhaya and the varada poses, Nandikeśvara has them folded on the chest in the añjali pose. The body has three slight bends in it (tribhanga). On his head are the jaṭā-makuṭa and the Gaṅgā and the crescent moon.