Why Nandi Cursed Ravan?

Nandi, you have shown a form of devotion which is rare. From today you are beyond death and will always be with me. Don’t forget your limits, servant. Only he who considers himself infinite forgets his limits. If this door stops me, I will move this mountain itself. And at the same time, Mahadev’s eyes slowly opened inside Kailash. He was watching this incident. As if you know everything beforehand, no anger, no anxiety, just a calm decision, he moved his step forward without any effort and just pressed the mountain with his thumb.

When ego crosses its peak then even Dashanand becomes Ravana and in that ego he was moving towards Kailash. This journey was not for any darshan. It was a challenge. To see who is going to stop him. Within a few moments he reached the border from where the area of Mahadev started and there he stood as the end of his path. Nandi, the protector of the dignity of Kailash, calm, steadfast, unperturbed as if even time itself was forced to stop before him. Ravana kept watching for a few moments. Then a slight smile appeared on his lips.

He said, so you are the protector of this gate, what kind of servant has Mahadev kept, there was no change in Nandi’s vision, this is Kailash, entry here is gained by dignity, not by arrogance, you will stop me me, whom even the gods fear, there is a difference between victory and arrogance, Dashan Harjeet does not bring respect, you will preach me. Don’t forget your limits, servant. Only he who considers himself infinite forgets his limits. I did not come here to seek anyone’s permission. Get out of the way. As long as Mahadev is resting. No one can cross this gate. Ravana looked at Nandi from top to bottom and then laughed. This form of yours looks like that of a monkey and you are talking about stopping me. There was silence for a moment. There was now hardness in Nandi’s eyes. He said, Dashananda, the form which you are mocking will be the cause of your end. Ravana laughed and this time louder monkey, this is my end Nandi’s words had now become a decision. Yes, those whom you consider insignificant by calling them monkeys will be the cause of your destruction. Ravana’s laughter echoed in Kailash. But Nandi Adik stood firm because he knew that this was no longer just a word but had become destiny. The force behind Nandi’s words was not just anger. That was the depth of his penance and that was what Ravana could not understand. Because Nandi was not just a protector. He was born out of a resolution. Centuries ago, sage Shilad made a wish. He wanted a child who would be beyond the bondage of death. With this desire he performed severe penance. After years, pleased with his penance, Mahadev appeared. Shalad humbly said, Lord, give me a son who is beyond death and who is a part of you. Shalad you will have a divine son who will be born from my part. Time passed and during a yagya, a bright child appeared as a result of that penance. That was Nandi. Nandi started growing up and at a young age, he started displaying amazing stability and wisdom. But with every blessing comes a test. When Nandi was about seven years old, two sages Ashamitra and Varun came to the ashram of sage Shilad. He looked at Nandi and remained silent for a few moments. Then he told Shilad that this child is divine but his life span is very short. Shalad became worried and asked, how old is he? Only 8 years. Hearing this, the ground slipped from under Shalad’s feet. But Nandi stood calm. He looked at his father and said, if I was born by the grace of Mahadev, then my end is also under his control. I will not run away from death. I will take refuge in him. And at that very moment Nandi went towards the forest. He sat down and started meditating on Mahadev. Days passed, years passed but Nandi remained steadfast. His penance was so deep that ultimately Mahadev had to appear. Nandi bowed his head at his feet. He said, Lord, I do not want life. I only need your service. Nandi, you have shown a form of devotion which is rare. From today you are beyond death and will always be with me. You will be the leader of my army. You will be my vehicle and the protector of my door. Nandi bowed his head. Now he was not just a devotee. He himself had become the protector of Shiva’s dignity. And today the same Nandi was standing at the gate of Kailash. His gaze was steady. As if you already know what is going to happen. Ravana was still in front of him. But now there was an impatience in his laughter. A challenge that demanded an answer. He looked at Nandi and then towards the heights of Kailash he said, if this gate stops me then I will remove this mountain itself. Nandi remained calm because this was a moment of results, not power. The very next moment Ravana spread his huge arms and tried to lift Kailash with all his might. The mountain trembled. The earth started shaking. Directions wavered. As if the universe itself is feeling the weight of this ego. Still Nandi stood firm. His eyes were on Ravana. But there was no deviation in them. Because he knew that whatever would happen now was decided and at the same time, Mahadev’s eyes slowly opened inside Kailash. He was watching this incident. As if you know everything already. No anger, no anxiety, just a calm decision. He moved his foot forward without any effort and simply pressed the mountain with his thumb. The next moment everything stopped. Ravana’s arms were buried under the mountain. His strength, his pride, froze under that weight, and then he screamed. Such a roar that shook the directions. Which filled fear in all three worlds. It wasn’t just pain. It was a sound that was announcing the breaking of ego. Ravana was in agony. But in that very pain his voice started changing. Now there was no challenge in it but humility. Mahadev, please forgive me Mahadev. And in that very state he started reciting Shiva Tandava Stotram. Every line, every word of his was filled with pain. But he was immersed in devotion. Time passed and finally Mahadev was pleased. He lifted the weight of the mountain. Ravana was freed. But now he was not the same as before. His vision had changed. It is said that his terrible roar shook all the three worlds. That is why he was called Ravana. Ravana means the one whose roar shook all the three worlds. Nandi was still standing there. Calm and still because the curse given by him had now taken its course. Time kept moving forward. But Nandi’s words became clearer with time. What Nandi said standing at that gate of Kailash was not just a curse. That was a truth. Which time itself was going to prove. Ravana remained immersed in his splendor. He still felt that no one could stop him. But Nandi was calm. As if they knew that whatever was going to happen now was certain. And then a story started, Ramayana. That narrative also included what was once considered frivolous. Monkeys and one of them was Mahabali Hanuman. Nandi’s words were no longer the future. He had become the direction of time. Because Nandi was not just a gatekeeper.