Shiva Parshadas

 Shiva Parshadas, close servants of Shiva,  are very commonly seen in all Shiva shrines, particularly in Dakshina Bharata. It is a traditional custom to offer Deeparati to them, to make the Principal deity and their Master Lord Shiva happy. We notice a fact that all attendants of Lord Shiva are directly linked to rural regions of our nation, signifying a popular connection to Pashupati form of Shiva as guardian of Agriculture and farming life. Nandi is seen invariably in the premises to take out Utsava Murtis of Shiva-Parvati after Girija Kalyanam, Rathotsavam and other festivities during Makara Sankranti, and Kartika.

Shiva is one among Vedic trinity. Brahma God of Creation, Vishnu the protector and Shiva the destroyer of this universe. Srishti, Sthiti and Laya are three aspects of our eco system. Lord Shiva is very popular God who can be easily pleased- Kshipra Prasada. His form is very simple, mostly as a lump or Lingam, he is pleased with ablution of water. “Abhishekapriyo Rudrah’ say scriptures.

Shiva group of Gods has Parvati, his consort, Ganapati, Skanda his sons, and a host of attendants named Pramatha Ganas.  All temples of Bhagavan Shiva have shrines of Parvati, Ganapati, Skanda, and Pramathas. Shiva’s  attendants are called Pramathas. They are quite a few in number, mainly Nandi, Bhringi, Rita. Virabhadra, Chandisha, being  main among them. They have been mentioned and described in Shiva, Linga, Brahmanda and Skanda Puranas.

Nandi, also called Vrishabha happens to be  Shiva’s vehicle, looking like a white bull, but he is very wise among his staff. Nandi is the son of Shilada Muni,  is fortunate to serve Lord Shiva as his door keeper and vehicle, always very close to the Shiva couple. He is highly blessed. He is also depicted as the monkey-faced (Kapimukha)

We have an interesting story of the powerful king of Lanka- Ravana confronting Nandi by his strength. When Ravana was returning after defeating Kubera, his vehicle stops at the birth place of Skanda, Sharavana forest. He tries to barge into  Kailasa to meet Lord Shiva who is in his private palace with Parvati. Nandi obstructs him.

Raged by this, Ravana fights with him and gets defeated in the fight. Nandi curses the proud Ravana for making fun of him, mocking him as monkey-faced  and ugly,   that if so …he will be destroyed by ugly looking monkeys and bear. The form of Nandi is sometimes human and finds a place in all Shiva temples facing towards the Lord.

Veerabhadra is another attendant who emerges out of Shiva’s form, when Shiva’s father in-law Daksha Prajapati performs a great Yajna without inviting Shiva. Parvati  as Sati immolates herself in self-created   fire, as she is insulted by her father, later to get married as Parvati, born as daughter of Himavan. Virabhadra shrines are found in many parts of South India. He carries weapons and always fierce  (Bhikara) in appearance.

Riti or Rita  is son of Uddalaka Muni, and a great devotee of Lord Shiva from his childhood. He serves the lord in the form of a horse. He is a musician like Tumburu, who usually  plays on  stringed ( tantrivadyas) instruments.

Bhrungi is another close attendant of Lord Shiva, who takes the form of a Bee to serve him. He is always singing the praise of Lord and kills a demon, who tries to approach Parvati to disturb her deep in penance. Some Parvati temples, and Vanadurga shrines are common with Bhringi, in coastal areas.

Chandisha or Chandikeshvara is another close attendant of the lord whose shrine is invariably built outside the temple in a cave looking structure,in the inner premises of the main temple. It is a well-known custom to Shiva  devotees to clap before him 3 times to mark their attendance of having visited Shiva. He is believed to have born an innocent shepherd boy, and an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He used to worship a heap of soil (Mrittika Lingam) as Shiva Lingam, with utmost devotion.

 Pleased by his devotion, the Lord makes him as one of his personal attendants in Kailas. He also accompanies Veerabhadra in destroying Daksha Yajnam, by pushing hard Pooshan, one among forms of Suryadeva ( Sun god),  by breaking his teeth, since he mocked at him by showing his teeth.