Who is ARDHANARISHWARA? Other stories from Puranas
A great devotee of Shiva, sage Bhringi refused to accept Parvati as a Deity. In his prayers to Shiva, Parvati was never included. He used to circumambulate Shiva every day but ignored Parvati completely. As a result, Parvati was infuriated as she was the Shakti (the female energy of the universe). In order to teach the sage a lesson, Parvati deprived him of her life support. Parvati is also known as Annapurna (the one who nourishes all living beings).
The sage started becoming weak and thin. Soon he couldn’t even stand or walk. Compassionate Shiva couldn’t see his devotee suffering so much, thus gave him the third leg like a walking stick. But still, the sage continued to ignore Parvati.
Then Shiva and Parvati decided to take the form of Ardhanarishvara to provide realization to Sage Bhringi. The sage finally realized that although Shiva and Parvati appear as two different deities they are one as the primordial source of all creation, sustenance and dissolution.
Stories from Puranas Skanda Purana
According to Skanda Purana, there are two instances
where Shiva and Shakti revealed as Ardhanarishvara. In
one instance, where Shakti (Parvati) prayed to Shiva to
be a part of him. And thus Shiva accepted her prayers
and became Ardhanarishvara.
Second instance is, when a demon named Andhakasura
wanted to seize Parvati and marry her, Parvati revealed
her Ardhanarishvara form to him.
Shiva Purana
According to the Shiva Purana, Brahma or Prajapati, the
creator of all male beings, was once faced with a steep
decline in the pace of creation. A flustered Brahma
approached Shiva for help. Shiva appeared before him
in the form of Ardhanarishvara and Brahma prayed to
the female half of Shiva to help him create females in
order to continue the process of creation. The Goddess
then created various female powers from her body, thus
speeding up the process of creation.
Matsya Purana
It says that Brahma, pleased with the penance of
Parvati to him rewarded her with a flawless golden
complexion. She became extremely beautiful and her
beauty attracted Shiva so much that he fuses her into
him takes the form of Ardhanarishvara.
Kalika Purana
In the Kalika Purana, Parvati suspects Shiva of infidelity,
when she sees her own reflection in Shiva's breast. An
argument ensues between them, which is also resolved
as quickly. Thereafter, Parvati wishes to stay eternally
with Shiva, fusing with him as one single body.
Yet another lore talks about Parvati's jealousy when she
sees Ganga perched on Shiva's head. Though Shiva tries
to appease her by placing her on his lap, Parvati
continues to be upset. This is when Shiva unites with
the Goddess in the form of Ardhanarishvara.
The symbolism of the Ardhanarishvara
There is a profound meaning behind the concept of
Ardhanarishvara. This form of the deity symbolizes the
optimal balance of the male and female energies in the
world, and also indicates that these energies are
inseparable. They are complementary to each other and
in order to maintain equilibrium, they must work
together. This form indicates that although there are
opposites in Purusha and Prakriti, they become one
energy for the creation and the sustenance of the
Universe.
Spiritual significance
‘Saam Sada shiv’ – Shiv tattva includes both Shiva and
Shakti(Male and female energy). Parvati is not different
from Shiva. Parvati is that which is born out of the celebration. The celebration cannot be there without Shiv
tattva. Ardhanarishvara is the true and inseparable
form of Shiva and Shakti. It indicates that totality lies
beyond duality. It is impossible to separate Shiva and
Shakti even for a second. If Shiva is everywhere, how
can Shakti be there beyond its scope?
Worship of Ardhanarishvara
Worship of Ardhanarishvara
Ardhanarishvara, which is a popular aspect of Shiva, is
found in some Shiva shrines in India and in Southeast
Asia as well. In fact, evidence even suggests that there
may have been an Ardhanarishvara cult in existence at
some point of time in India.
However, this never went
on to become an established sect.
Followers sometimes worship Ardhanarishvara in order
to attain salvation from this material world. Here, the
Linga is considered the Paramatma and the devotee, the
Jeevatma, which tries to reach the Supreme One. In fact, the 9th Century Nayanar saint Manikkavachakar
has compared Parvati to the devotee yearning for the
grace of the Lord.
The Nayanar saints of Tamil Nadu gave the deity an
exalted status in their culture. The Ardhanarishvara "Stotram" is very popular as well. It describes the
beautiful ecstatic form of Shiva and Shakti together
through various aspects. The renowned poet Kalidasa
states that Shiva and Shakti are both interdependent
and inseparable.
Ardhanarishvara Likened to Yin-Yang
The concept of Ardhanarishvara is very similar to the Chinese concept of Yin and Yang. The Yin Yang symbol
describes how seemingly polar forces are actually
intertwined with and interdependent on each other and
how they are actually complementary to each other.
Like in India, Chinese philosophy also believes that
opposites exist not in actuality, but only in relation to
each other. This philosophy reflects in everything they
do and is actually a way of life with them. Yin and Yang,
much like the Parvati and Shiva forces of the
Ardhanarishvara, are "complementary opposites" and
are equal halves of a greater whole. They are
responsible for creating and sustaining the universe and
are part and parcel of the dynamic system of the
universe.
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