Folklore & Mythological Narratives

[Dr R A Raaj]

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Hello members!

I found this community by accident a few days ago. I was completely unaware of this website before that. My first brush with it was actually an attempt to reply to a post 8 years ago, by the well-known member, Ms Renuka, on August 12, 2016, which I discovered while researching for my upcoming books on Hinduism & mysticism. I'm looking forward to connecting & engaging more with all of you.

At the kind behest of Ms Renuka, I’m posting this thread in the General Discussion section so that everyone can join in to discuss the topic.

The thread’s link:

Should we say our wish in which ear

In which ear of Nandi, Right or left should we share our wish..Can anyone clarify? Devotees making wish in the ears of Nandi at Shiva temple during the holy month of Shravan in Patna on Monday. Photograph: Amrit Jai Kishan/PTI

www.tamilbrahmins.com

However, I discovered the thread was closed to further replies. This prompted me to join the community & share my response here. My goal is simply to contribute intriguing details about Hindu mythology gleaned from my research & experiences.

In case you’re unable to view the thread, this was the post I wanted to reply to:

“What is the significance behind Nandi having unilateral hearing loss of left ear?

So far I know Adisesha's too is hearing impaired cos he swayed each time he heard praise of Lord Vishnu & caused High Richter Scale instability to the planets he holds on his hood...so his hearing capacity was removed.

But in the case of Nandi why is he having unilateral loss of hearing?

Anyone?”

My perspective is that all questions should be answered as thoroughly as possible if someone has any little knowledge about the topic. The desire to learn should always be encouraged, otherwise, we wouldn't make progress in our understanding every day. As Albert Einstein once said, "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."

What I found out:

Nandi being deaf in his left ear is a part of Hindu mythology & folklore. According to some legends, it is said that Nandi lost his hearing in his left ear due to a curse. The specifics of how this curse came about can vary in different retellings of the tales.

In some versions, the curse is attributed to a sage or deity (unable to verify their names for now) who, for various reasons, placed the curse upon Nandi, resulting in his left ear becoming deaf. This aspect of Nandi being deaf in his left ear is often portrayed as a unique trait that adds depth to his character in Hindu mythology.

However, the general idea behind the curse often revolves around the theme of hubris or pride. Nandi, being the loyal mount & devoted servant of Lord Shiva, might have been cursed due to his perceived arrogance or excessive pride in his abilities. This curse, as a result of his pride, could be seen as a reminder of the importance of humility & modesty in the face of divine power.

While the idea of Nandi being cursed for pride is a common theme in mythology, I haven't been able to find any specific stories that directly illustrate this at that point.

Having shared the backstory on Nandi & the deafness in his left ear, I've been thinking of a logical explanation that may or may not be appealing to some. After spending my entire life asking questions & studying human behavior, I'm taking a guess at the significance of this episode.

It's true that our scriptures, holy texts, & ancient stories are open to interpretation. No single answer is definitively right or wrong, as the beauty lies in the ongoing discussion & exploration. Every generation & every individual brings a fresh perspective, shaped by their own experiences & understanding. We are gifted with the power of thought to analyze, question, & reach our own conclusions. This constant dialogue & exploration keep these timeless stories relevant & meaningful for us today.

If the curse on Nandi's left ear was indeed a consequence of his ego, pride, & arrogance, then the sage or deity who invoked it likely did so in response to the negative effects of those traits. With his esteemed status & close association with Shiva, the most powerful deity, Nandi may have grown overly proud.

This prompts me to explore another perspective on the notion that Shiva is the ultimate Destroyer - an interpretation I visualized during meditation, & I believe I can support my argument with relevant evidence from various mythological stories. This discussion becomes particularly intriguing when considering Vishnu's fierce incarnations, such as Narasimha, Varaha, & possibly Parashurama as well. I look forward to delving deeper into this topic in my upcoming posts.

When someone is arrogant & full of pride, they often walk with their head held high, a trait that mirrors Vishvamitra's refusal to bow to anyone except Shiva. We all know how that story unfolded - his forced humiliation at the hands of a mortal king, a cruel scheme orchestrated by Vasishtha. This humbling experience ultimately led to Vishvamitra's acceptance as a Brahma Rishi, a significant spiritual elevation. He was later even declared one of the eight Saptarshis, a testament to his eventual transformation.

The point I'm making is that when Nandi was indeed haughty, he likely looked down upon many. However, when the curse took effect & he lost his hearing, he may also have shed his arrogance & then may have embraced humility. To hear clearly with his one good ear, he may have had to slightly bow or tilt his head, symbolizing a break in his arrogance & a newfound sense of humility.

Could this be a possibility? It's important to remember that there are no definitive right or wrong answer, as long as the interpretation makes some logical sense.

I have a few more interesting mythological tidbits to share with fellow enthusiasts, which I'll post when I have more time.

Last night, I found out more about Nandi’s deafness:

The tale of Nandi's cursed ear whispers of a playful wager gone wrong, a goddess's fury, & a humble bull's devotion.

Imagine Mount Kailash, a celestial playground where Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati engaged in a spirited game of dice. Nandi, the loyal bull, served as the umpire, his heart overflowing with love for his master. But when the goddess emerged victorious, Nandi, blinded by his devotion, declared Lord Shiva the winner.

This audacious act ignited a fiery rage in Goddess Parvati. Her voice, like thunder, echoed through the heavens, "For your deceit, you shall suffer!" A curse descended upon Nandi, leaving him with a deafening silence in his left ear.

But Nandi, ever the faithful servant, pleaded for forgiveness. "My love for the Lord clouded my judgment," he confessed. Goddess Parvati, touched by his sincerity, offered a path to redemption: "Worship my son, Lord Ganesha, on his birthday, & your curse shall be lifted."

And so, on Chaturdashi, during the sacred month of Aavani (Bhadrapada). Nandi sought solace in devotion, offering Arugampul (Bermuda grass) as a humble penance to Lord Ganesha. From that day forward, the tradition of offering Arugampul to Lord Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi became a testament to Nandi's unwavering devotion & a reminder that even the most powerful deities can be swayed by sincere repentance.

Sometimes, the truth hides in plain sight, camouflaged among the mundane & the overlooked. It's like a whisper in a crowded room, a faint shimmer in the corner of your eye. But if you search diligently, if you dare to look in the most unexpected places, the truth will reveal itself, staring back at you with an undeniable clarity.

Thank you for reading!

 

[Dr R A Raaj]

Members,

Please note my correction...

"And so, on Chaturdashi, during the sacred month of Aavani (Bhadrapada)."

It should read "Chaturthi".

My sincerest apologies for the error.

Thank you.

 

[renuka]

Members,

Please note my correction...

"And so, on Chaturdashi, during the sacred month of Aavani (Bhadrapada)."

It should read "Chaturthi".

My sincerest apologies for the error.

Thank you.

Dear Sir,
Nice to see you starting a post in Forum.
As you rightly said Puranic stories are multilayered and there might be more than we can guess.

Medically the left ear sends information to the Right Hemisphere of the brain.
The left ear is more tuned to pick up emotions in sounds or words heard.

May be there is something we can try to figure out.
When someone is too attached to their favorite object or even their ishta devata, he or she can get pretty emotional and reactive about it.

Its through reactions and emotions that one can generate the feeling of pride.

So is the Purana trying to tell us something here?
Nandi is way too emotionally attached to Shiva..he even declares Shiva the winner despite Parvati being the winner.
He is not willing to listen to logic.
His left ear only picks up emotions in words heard...gets reactive and generates pride.

So may be by making Nandi's left ear deaf, he loses the ability to focus on the emotions of words and uses his right ear to hear which in turn relays it to the Left Hemisphere which is based on logical functions which leaves no room for blind faith.

Anyway its just a wild guess.
Another point to explore is the Ida and Pingala nadi and ear functions.

 

[Dr R A Raaj]

Medically the left ear sends information to the Right Hemisphere of the brain.
The left ear is more tuned to pick up emotions in sounds or words heard.

Medically the left ear sends information to the Right Hemisphere of the brain.
The left ear is more tuned to pick up emotions in sounds or words heard.

So may be by making Nandi's left ear deaf, he loses the ability to focus on the emotions of words and uses his right ear to hear which in turn relays it to the Left Hemisphere which is based on logical functions which leaves no room for blind faith.

The assertion that the left ear is more adept at discerning emotional nuances in auditory stimuli is indeed intriguing. I must confess that I would never have ever made that connection. Given the specialized nature of this information, I am curious to know if you have any formal training or background in the medical field.

It's true that many Hindu myths and stories, while presented as narratives, often contain elements that can be interpreted through a scientific lens.

Ancient Hindu texts were written during a time when people were deeply attuned to the natural world. Their observations about astronomy, medicine, and the human body were remarkably insightful. These observations often found their way into mythologies, weaving scientific understanding into narratives.

Mythology often uses symbolism to convey complex ideas. What might appear as a fantastical creature or event could represent a scientific principle or a natural phenomenon. For example, the churning of the ocean in the Hindu myth of Samudra Manthan might symbolize the process of creation or the formation of the Universe.

Myths use metaphor and analogy to explain abstract concepts. These analogies often draw upon natural phenomena or scientific principles, making them relatable and memorable. For instance, the concept of Karma, which is often depicted as a cycle of action and consequence, can be seen as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of all things.

Your interpretation is not a "just a wild guess" but a nuanced one. Yes, it's absolutely "another point to explore the Ida and Pingala nadi and ear functions." Kudos!

 

[renuka]

Medically the left ear sends information to the Right Hemisphere of the brain.
The left ear is more tuned to pick up emotions in sounds or words heard.

So may be by making Nandi's left ear deaf, he loses the ability to focus on the emotions of words and uses his right ear to hear which in turn relays it to the Left Hemisphere which is based on logical functions which leaves no room for blind faith.

The assertion that the left ear is more adept at discerning emotional nuances in auditory stimuli is indeed intriguing. I must confess that I would never have ever made that connection. Given the specialized nature of this information, I am curious to know if you have any formal training or background in the medical field.

It's true that many Hindu myths and stories, while presented as narratives, often contain elements that can be interpreted through a scientific lens.

Ancient Hindu texts were written during a time when people were deeply attuned to the natural world. Their observations about astronomy, medicine, and the human body were remarkably insightful. These observations often found their way into mythologies, weaving scientific understanding into narratives.

Mythology often uses symbolism to convey complex ideas. What might appear as a fantastical creature or event could represent a scientific principle or a natural phenomenon. For example, the churning of the ocean in the Hindu myth of Samudra Manthan might symbolize the process of creation or the formation of the Universe.

Myths use metaphor and analogy to explain abstract concepts. These analogies often draw upon natural phenomena or scientific principles, making them relatable and memorable. For instance, the concept of Karma, which is often depicted as a cycle of action and consequence, can be seen as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of all things.

Your interpretation is not a "just a wild guess" but a nuanced one. Yes, it's absolutely "another point to explore the Ida and Pingala nadi and ear functions." Kudos!

Yes Sir..I am a medical doctor hence I made that connection about ears and brain hemisphere.

 

[Dr R A Raaj]

That's what I thought!

Thank you for clarifying.

God bless.