Shiva had many attendants called the ‘ganas’. The ganas were supernatural beings with terrifying faces and bodies. The chief of the ganas was Nandi. Nandi was also the vehicle (vahan) of Shiva and the gatekeeper of his abode. According to a legend, Nandi was the son of Sage Shilad. He was devoted to Shiva right from his childhood. He once requested Shiva to let him always remain by his side. Shiva smiled and granted Nandi’s wish, gladly. Shiva also told Nandi that he had lost his bull on which he travelled, so Nandi would get the face of a bull and be his vehicle, from then on. “You will always be my friend and companion. You will head all my ganas too,” Shiva said. Apart from Nandi, Bhring, Virbhadra and Chandeeswar were the most important ganas of Shiva. All the ganas were completely devoted to Shiva and obeyed all the commands that he used to give them.
Shiva and His Attendants
