The Story of Nandi: The Firstborn Bull of Tapovanam
- Raja Rajeswari Rachakonda
- Aug 25
- 4 min read
The Auspicious Birth
On 17th March 2024, the sacred cow Lalita gave birth to a magnificent male calf in Vasishtha Vedic Tapovanam. From the very first moment, it was clear he was special. Bigger than the usual newborn calf, with all the noble features of a pure Gir breed, the calf radiated strength and vitality. He was named “Nandi”, after the eternal bull of Lord Shiva—symbol of strength, Dharma, and unwavering devotion.
The story of Nandi’s birth was unlike any other. By early March, Guruji had already noticed signs that Lalita was close to delivering. At this time, Sri Roshan Senapati and his wife, Smt. Jyoti, disciples of Guruji from Paris, visited Tapovanam. On 14th March, they joined Guruji, not knowing that destiny had brought them to witness a divine moment.
The Divine Delivery
On the afternoon of 17th March, while the watchman was away, Lalita was tied in the shade of bamboo trees. Roshan, who had experience with cows, suddenly noticed Lalita’s restlessness—sitting, standing, and pacing with discomfort. He immediately alerted Guruji: “She is about to deliver.”
Without delay, Roshan began preparing the ground, clearing stones and making space. Guruji, sitting beside Lalita, rubbed her chin gently and began chanting the Go Suktam (Rigveda, 6.28) of Bharadwaja Rishi. Jyoti too stood nearby, offering silent prayers.
Usually, cows become ferocious and unapproachable during delivery, rejecting human presence. But Lalita behaved differently—as if acknowledging the empathy and love surrounding her. For more than fifteen minutes she endured labor, yet not once did she cry out. Her silence was dignified, almost human, as though she entrusted herself completely to Guruji’s prayers.
As Guruji began reciting the Lalita Sahasranama Stotram, invoking the Divine Mother, the miracle unfolded. Lalita delivered a large male calf—a powerful newborn. The atmosphere was filled with awe and sacredness. It was not just a birth—it was a divine event, the manifestation of life-force in a new form.
In Vedic symbolism, the birth of a calf is more than physical—it is the birth of new rays of knowledge, the “ray cows” of wisdom. Since this was the very first calf born in Tapovanam, it brought a new wave of joy, inspiration, and spiritual energy to everyone present.
The Midnight Adventure
That night, Guruji and Roshan decided to check on mother and calf around midnight. To their shock, Lalita and her newborn were missing from the gosala. Somehow, Lalita had broken free from her rope and removed the bamboo barricade.
For two hours, Guruji and Roshan searched the fenced Tapovanam fields under the starlit sky. Finally, they found Lalita calmly grazing, with the one-day-old calf beside her—already able to walk! Hungry from her labor, Lalita had wandered off in search of grass.
Roshan decided to carry the calf back to the gosala. But to his surprise, the newborn was already very heavy, unusual for its age. He had to stop three times along the way, exhausted yet joyful, before finally reaching the gosala.
The next morning, Roshan and Jyoti left Tapovanam, carrying with them a lifetime memory. They had not only participated in Indra Yajna and satsangs but had also directly witnessed gau seva, serving the sacred cow during her delivery. Naming the calf “Nandi” was Roshan’s suggestion, which Guruji joyfully accepted.
Guruji later remarked:
“These cows and bulls do not belong to me alone. They belong to every student of Tapovanam.”
Nandi’s Childhood and Playfulness
From the beginning, Nandi was deeply pampered by everyone in the ashram. Along with Gauri, who was also young at the time, he filled Tapovanam with joy. The two would run wildly across the fields, chasing each other, leaping in delight, and engaging in playful tug-of-war fights.
Their games became a daily sight, especially in the cool mornings and evenings. The innocence of calves—playful, curious, and mischievous—made them beloved by all who visited.
By the time he turned one, Nandi had grown to the size and height of his mother, Lalita. Strong and proud, he even began to test his strength against Govinda, the mighty bull. On one occasion, when Nandi’s mischief irritated Govinda, he was pushed into the narrow fodder channel. Poor Nandi ended up lying awkwardly on his back, legs pointing to the sky! The watchman had to break the cement wall of the channel to pull him out.
The Tears of Nandi
Despite his strength and playfulness, Nandi also revealed a tender and emotional heart. Even at one year of age, when calves usually stop drinking their mother’s milk, Nandi continued pestering Lalita. One day, Guruji scolded him sternly, telling him it was time to stop.
To everyone’s astonishment, Nandi stood silently—with tears streaming from his eyes. The sight moved Guruji deeply. He immediately softened and said:
“Let him drink as long as Lalita does not mind. It is the calf’s right to take milk from its mother. Who are we to decide? It is the mother’s responsibility to guide her calf.”
Remarkably, within a few days, Nandi stopped drinking milk by himself—as though he had absorbed Guruji’s words through love rather than discipline.
The Symbol of Strength and Dharma
As Nandi grew, villagers began approaching Guruji, suggesting he sell the bull calf, as strong bulls are highly valued for farming. But Guruji firmly refused.
He explained that in Sanatan Dharma, bulls are as sacred as cows. Just as cows nurture life, bulls represent strength, progeny, and the very Dharma of the world. Selling Nandi was never an option—he was part of Tapovanam’s family.
Instead, Guruji envisioned a noble plan: the bulls of Tapovanam, including Nandi, would one day be engaged in organic agriculture, ploughing the ashram’s fields and demonstrating the Vedic way of life in harmony with nature.
Conclusion: Nandi, The Living Guardian
Thus, Nandi’s story is one of strength, innocence, and divine symbolism. From his miraculous birth amidst Vedic chants to his playful childhood with Gauri, from his mischievous battles with Govinda to his tearful innocence before Guruji—he embodies the perfect blend of power and tenderness.
In Nandi, Tapovanam sees not just a bull, but the guardian of its fields, the symbol of Dharma, and the living echo of Shiva’s own Nandi—steadfast, sacred, and devoted to the eternal path.
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