Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 3
तत्रास्ति नन्दिनीनाम धेनुः पीनपयोधरा । विस्तीर्णजघनाभोगा हंसवर्णा घटस्रवा
tatrāsti nandinīnāma dhenuḥ pīnapayodharā | vistīrṇajaghanābhogā haṃsavarṇā ghaṭasravā
وہاں نندنی نام کی ایک دھینُو تھی، جس کے تھن دودھ سے بھرے ہوئے تھے؛ پچھلا حصہ کشادہ اور مضبوط، رنگ ہنس کی مانند سفید، اور گویا گھڑے سے دودھ بہاتی تھی۔
Narrator (within the Purāṇic dialogue; exact named speaker not in snippet)
Tirtha: Hāṭakeśvara-kṣetra narrative region (Gokula episode)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Dvija interlocutor(s)
Scene: Close portrait of Nandinī: swan-white cow with full udders, broad hindquarters, milk streaming like from a pot; gopīs approach with clay vessels; the background shows the newly formed Gokula with flowering trees.
FAQs
The cow symbolizes dharma and abundance; purity and generosity become instruments for sacred service.
The Śrī Hāṭakeśvara-kṣetra / Kalaśeśvara setting continues; the cow becomes a vehicle for glorifying the local Śiva-liṅga.
Implied preparation for abhiṣeka (milk offering/bathing of a liṅga), though not stated as a rule in this verse.