In Hinduism, Ardhanarishvara or Ardhanarishwar (अर्धनारीश्वर) is an Androgynous form of Lord Shiva and his prime consort Goddess Maa Parvati. An androgynous form is a form that has a combination of masculine and feminine characteristics into one or that has a partly male and partly female appearance. Ardhanarishwara is depicted as half-male and half-female equality split vertically down to the middle with Lord Shiva in the right half and Goddess Parvati in the left half.
Meaning and Interpretation
According to Hindu beliefs, Ardhanarishwara represents the combined synergy required for the maintenance and preservation of the creation by masculine and feminine energies of the universe called Purusha and Prakriti/Shakti, respectively. Essentially representing, the inseparability of male and female energies which when combined is the womb of the creation. The intrinsic meaning of the portrayal of Ardhanarishwar is the quintessential balance of the male and female energies of the universe. Both the energies are fundamentally inseparable and complementary in each other and must stay in equilibrium to be fruitful.
Ardhanareshwar form is also seen by some as a balance between the spiritual and material world. Lord Shiva is seen zenith of asceticism and Goddess Parvati is seen as the highest embodiment of the material world. The fusion of the two indicates that both asceticism and materialism are important in one's life to enjoy and live it to the fullest.
Ardhanarishvara form is also interpreted by some as an attempt to syncretize (combine different ideologies) two of four major sects of Hinduism - Shaivism & Shaktism.
Etymology
The word Ardhanarishvara is made of three words - Ardha, Nari, and Ishwara which literally translates to 'half', 'women', and 'god/lord' in English, respectively. Ardhanarishvara is also commonly known by the name Ardhanarisha, Ardhanari, and Ardhanaranari (the half man-women).
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