Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c27.8

v4.c27.8

Indra becoming pleased with the austerities of this *rishi* resolved to fulfil the *rishi*'s desire and approached him and told him that no one but Śiva could grant him what he wanted and directed him to address his penances to that deity. He did as advised by Indra, and Śiva pleased with him, promised that he would himself be born to the *rishi* as his son; thereby he intended to satisfy Brahmā also who was desirous of Śiva taking a human incarnation. After some time, Silāda was engaged in a sacrifice (*yāga*); a lad proceeded from the room in which the *rishi* Silāda was performing the *yāga*; he looked precisely like Śiva, with a *jaṭā-makuṭa* on his head, three eyes and four arms. He was carrying in his hands the *śūla*, the *ṭaṅka*, the *gadā* and the *vajra*. Because Silāda became pleased with the fulfilment of his desire by the appearance of this, his son born not by human agency, Śiva gave the lad the name Nandi and disappeared.