Go to Hindu mythology home page

Ardhanarishvara

Ardha-Narishwer

Composite male-female figure of the Hindu god Siva, collectively along with his consort Parvati. As seen in lots of stunning Indian and Southeast Asian sculptures, the best (male) half of the determine is adorned with the traditional ornaments of Shiva. Half of the hair is piled in a hair dress of matted locks, half of a 3rd eye is seen on the brow, a tiger skin covers the loins, and serpents are used as ornaments. The left (female) half exhibits hair well combed and knotted, half of a tilaka (a round dot) on the forehead, the eye outlined in black, one nicely-developed breast, a silk garment caught with girdles, an anklet, and the foot tinted purple with henna.

The symbolic intent of the figure in keeping with most authorities is to signify that the female and male ideas are inseparable. A well-liked clarification, as given in a collection of legends referred to as the Shiva-Purana, is that Brahma created male beings and instructed them in flip to create others, but they had been unable to do so. When Shiva appeared earlier than him in an androgynous type, Brahma realized his omission and created females. One more legend has it that the sage (rsi) Bhrngi had vowed to worship just one deity and so failed to circumambulate and to prostrate himself before Parvati. Parvati tried to pressure him to take action by asking to be united with her lord, however the sage assumed the type of a beetle and continued to circumambulate only the male half, whereupon Parvati turned reconciled and blessed Bhrngi .