The image of the bull - a mythological depiction

There are animals that are deemed sacred in the Hindu tradition and deities to whom these animals are dear and connected to in worship. These animals are said to be the vahanas (vehicles), the means of travel for the gods and goddesses of the Hindu tradition. It is well known that the image of the bull is prominent in the Mithraic Mysteries. However, the actual role of this image is widely misunderstood, and even inverted in the popular imagination, encouraged by decades of confused pedagogy. This particular bull is widely known and worshipped alongside Siva as a result of the latter exalting Nandi to the position of ganapati. In order to gain a wider perspective, it will be useful to survey several aspects of the image of the bull in ancient myths and spiritualitie.