Ardhanari Shiv-Parvati (Half Male - Half Female God)

[rapchik]

[size=4][img]http://www.funonthenet.in/forums/gallery/103_14_04_12_8_08_38_0.jpg[/img][/size]


[size=4][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]I was awed by the beauty of this Shiv-Parvati picture Anuj put up in his gallery. Vivid, it is also pregnant with meaningful messages that find their relevance even in today's world. Most importantly, I noticed the masculine and feminine are presented as a single, complete being >> demonstrate the complementarity of the 2 genders. Men are incomplete w/o women and vice-versa; hence nullifying the WHICH SEX IS SUPERIOR debate. Nature would not sustain w/o either sex and this picture so bfully conveys this message.[/font][/color][/size]


[size=4][i]Ardhanari[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif] or [/font][/color][i]Ardhanarishvara[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif] is an androgynous Hindu God composed of [/font][/color][b]Shiva and his consort Shakti, representing the synthesis of masculine and feminine energies[/b][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]. In the form of Ardhanari, the female concept of the goddess is inseparable from the masculine form of the god in Shiva. Ardhanari in sculpture is depicted as half-male and half-female, split down the middle.[/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]Shakti is always on the left side with Shiva on the right side of the figure. Shakti wears no garments on her upper half exposing a ripe breast. [/font][/color][b]Her unabashed revelation of her breast personifies her womanhood and makes a huge contrast to the masculine side of Shiva[/b][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]. Shakti also wears a hoop earring typically worn by woman and wears long leggings. She is sometimes accompanied by her vahana or vehicle a lion. Her face has half the vertical mark of a bindi on it. The right side of the form of Ardhanari is Shiva. He wears a tiger skin for a loincloth. He usually has a cobra on some portion of his body. He can hold an axe, or trident. In his head dress there can be a skull and cobra. His earring is one worn by a man in Chola times in India. There are three horizontal lines across his forehead, which are the markings of a follower of Shiva.[/font][/color]

[url="http://www.bronzecreative.com/ardhanari-statue-ardhanarishvara-shiva-shakti-parvati.html"]Source:[/url][/size]





[size=4][b]This fusion of Shiva and Shakthi representing the male and female halves transcends the distinction between and limitation of male and female and takes the Lord to the level of beyond-gender manifest Brahman, realization of which means liberation.[/b]

[b]Shakthi part is golden, while Shiva part is dark. She is substrate and He is substance.. Shiva is static; Shakthi is dynamic and creative. Shiva is Being and Shakthi is Becoming. He is One; She is many; He is Infinite and She renders the Infinite into finite; He is formless and She renders the Formless into myriad forms; But both are one. Shiva and Shakthi exist in Nirmala Turiya state (Stainless Purity).[/b]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]When it comes to worship of Ardhanarisvara, some worship the Shiva aspect and some worship the Shakthi aspect. Shiva is viewed as the Holder of Power, though he is inert. Shiva is Shava (dead body) without Shakthi. All that power in creation, maintenance, and dissolution rests with Shakthi. But the Great Mother does not exist without Shiva.[/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]When they become one Ardhanarishvara becomes a being of generative and constructive force. [/font][/color][b]Ardhanarishvara it seems shows us just what can be done when we embrace the opposite in ourselves.[/b]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]Philosophically, this form portrays the boundless Grace of God. The formless God is called [/font][/color][i]parashiva[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]. On Its own free-will for the benefit of pashus (souls), which are drowned in pAsha (bondage), It thinks to create the worlds. Its dynamism of creation thus springs out of It, which is called Shakthi. Now Shiva and Its power Shakthi create everything. This is the form of their togetherness that makes every existence active. Shiva and Shakthi are one and the same Supreme may also act independently. They are associated like the person and the action of the person. They are one and the same like the ice and the water - one becomes the other. Poet Kalidasa hails them as inseparable like the word and its meaning, the letter and pronunciation!![/font][/color]

[b]“vAk arthA viva samprakthau vAkartha pprathipathayae jagatha: pithrau vandhe parvathi parameshwarau “[/b][/size]

[rapchik]

[size=4][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]Lord Shiva ([/font][/color][i]Sanskrit: Auspicious One[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]) is one of the main deities of Hinduism that is worshipped as the paramount lord by the Shaivaite sects of India.[/font][/color][/size]



[color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif][size=1][center][size=4][img]http://www.trulygraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/656/z%20(35)t.jpg[/img][/size][/size][/font][/color][/center]



[size=4][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is regarded as the representation of the Supreme Being. He is known as the third element in the Hindu Trinity (Trimurti), the other two members being Lord Brahma - the creator and Lord Vishnu - the protector. Shiva is the destructive form of the Almighty. As the cycle of destruction and recreation is always in a circle, Shiva’s primary responsibility is maintaining the life cycle. Scholars say, as the [/font][/color][i]Mahakaal[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif], Shiva destroys and dissolves everything into nothingness but as [/font][/color][i]Shankara[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif], he also reproduces that which has been destroyed and dissolved. His symbol of [/font][/color][i]Lingam[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif] or the phallus represents this reproductive power.[/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]Lord Shiva is also considered to be the most unique of all Hindu gods and also the God of all. A great ascetic, Shiva is the only godhead who is forever in deep meditation, totally absorbed in contemplation in His abode, Kailaasa Mountain in the great Himalaya. Lord Shiva is also said to be inseparable from Shakti - Parvati the daughter of Himavaan - Haimavati. There is no Shiva without Shakti and no Shakti without Shiva, the two are one - or the absolute state of being.[/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]Shiva is often shown with many faces, as creator, destroyer and preserver in total command of the cosmos. He contains both good and evil. [/font][/color][b]He is moody, free of inhibitions, easy to please, protector of the down trodden, and has the power to alter the laws of destiny.[/b][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif] Thus, it is Lord Shiva is known as the God of mercy and kindness. He protects his devotees from all evil that are always around us. He blesses his followers with grace, knowledge and peace.[/font][/color]

[b]Shiva as Ardhanareeswara[/b]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]Lord Shiva is said to be half man and half woman. In the full figure of Siva the male and female principles are united. Shiva Linga - the symbol of Lord Shiva which consists of both [/font][/color][i]Lingam [/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif](phallus) and [/font][/color][i]yoni [/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif](the female organ) represent the totality of his nature and the totality of all created existence.[/font][/color]

[b]Appearance and Attributes of Lord Shiva[/b]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]Lord Shiva is shown either in meditating or in the form of a Dancing God Nataraj where his dance is to the beat and rhythm of creation. He is also shown in sculptures with many hands. One pair of hands, for example, represents the balance between life and death. Shiva is '[/font][/color][i]tri netra[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]' or three eyed, and is '[/font][/color][i][color=#008EFF]neela kantha[/color][/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]' - blue-necked (having consumed poison to save the world from destruction). Besides, there are a lot many attributes associated with Lord Shiva. Here is a brief description of some of the important symbols that depict Lord Shiva. Each of his depiction signifies a different aspect of his Supreme Being.[/font][/color]

[b]Unclad body covered with ashes: [/b][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]This form of Lord Shiva depicts that Lord Shiva’s presence is much higher than this physical phenomenon. According to some scholars, Shiva’s body smeared with cemetery ash points to the philosophy of the life and death and the fact that death is the ultimate reality of the life.[/font][/color]

[b][i]Jata [/i](Matted Hair)[/b][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]: The flow of his matted hair represents Shiva as the Lord of Wind or [/font][/color][i]Vayu[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif], who is the subtle form of breath present in all living beings. Thus it is Shiva which is the lifeline for all living being. He is [/font][/color][i]Pashupatinath[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif].[/font][/color]

[b]Sacred Ganga: [/b][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]The holiest of the holy rivers, Ganga flows from the matted hair of Shiva. According to a legend, Shiva allowed an outlet to the great river to traverse the earth and bring purifying water to human being. [/font][/color][i]Ganga[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif] also denotes fertility - one of the creative aspects of the [/font][/color][i]Rudra[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif].[/font][/color]

[b]The Third Eye: [/b][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]Lord Shiva is known as the three eyed Lord or [/font][/color][i]Tryambaka Deva[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]. The sun is his right eye, the moon left while the third eye of Shiva on his forehead is the eye of wisdom. It is the eye that looks beyond the obvious. The third eye can search evil from anywhere and destroys it completely.[/font][/color]

[b]Half-Open Eyes: [/b][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]The half-open eyes show that the universes cycle in process. When the eyes are completely closed it signifies the dissolvent of the universe and when it is completely open a new cycle of creation begins.[/font][/color]

[b]Crescent: [/b][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]Shiva bears on his head the crescent of the[/font][/color][i] panchami[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif] (fifth day) moon. This is placed near the fiery third eye and this shows the power of Soma, the sacrificial offering, which is the representative of moon. It means that Shiva possesses the power of procreation along with the power of destruction. The moon is also a measure of time, thus Crescent also represent his control over time.[/font][/color]

[b]The Cobra Necklace: [/b][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]This suggests that Shiva is beyond the powers of death and is often the sole support in case of distress. He swallowed the poison [/font][/color][i]kalketu[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif] for the wellbeing of the Universe. The deadly cobra represents that “death” aspect that Shiva has thoroughly conquered. The cobras around his neck also represent the dormant energy, called Kundalini, the serpent power. The snake curled three times around the neck of Lord Shiva depicts the past, present and future time. The snake looking in the right direction of Lord Shiva signifies that the Lord's perpetual laws of reason and justice preserve natural order in the universe.[/font][/color]

[b]The Vibhuti: [/b][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]Vibhuti is a three line of ashes drawn on the forehead that signifies the Immortality of the soul and manifested glory of the Lord.[/font][/color]

[b]Tiger Skin: [/b][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]Lord Shiva is shown sitting on or wearing a tiger skin. The tiger is the vehicle of Shakti, the Goddess of power and force. Shiva is beyond and above any kind of force. He is the master of Shakti. The tiger skin that he wears symbolizes victory over every force. Tiger also represent lust. Thus sitting on Tiger skin, Shiva indicates that he has conquered lust.[/font][/color]

[b]The Elephant & Deer Skin: [/b][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]Shiva also wears elephant skins. Elephants represent pride. Wearing elephant skin, Shiva indicates that he has conquered pride. Similarly deer represent the flickering mind. Shiva wears deer skin which indicates that he has controlled the mind perfectly.[/font][/color]

[b]Rudraksha Necklace: [/b][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]‘Rudra’ is the other name of Shiva. It also means strict or uncompromising and ‘[/font][/color][i]aksha[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]’ means eye. Rudraksha, the necklace worn by Lord Shiva shows that he is firm about his cosmic laws and to maintain law and order in the universe. The necklace has 108 beads, which symbolize the elements used in the creation of the world.[/font][/color]

[b]Damaru (Drum): [/b][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]A small drum with two sides alienated from each other by a thin neck-like structure represents the two utterly different states of existence, unclear and clear. When a [/font][/color][i]damaru[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif] is shaken, the sound formed denotes [/font][/color][i]Nada[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif], the cosmic sound of [/font][/color][i]AUM[/i][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif], which can be heard during deep meditation.[/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]Trishul (Trident): A three-branched trident shown adjoining to Lord Shiva symbolizes His three fundamental powers will, action and knowledge. As a weapon the trident represents the instrument of punishment to the evil doer on all the three planes - spiritual, subtle and physical.[/font][/color]

[b]Nandi, the Bull: [/b][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]Nandi is said to be the vehicle of Lord Shiva. The bull represents both power and ignorance. Lord Shiva's use of the bull as his vehicle expresses the idea that He removes ignorance and bequeaths power of wisdom on His followers. [/font][/color][/size]

[Spartan]

[img]http://stream1.gifsoup.com/webroot/animatedgifs4/1376984_o.gif[/img]

[rapchik]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif][size=1][center][size=4][img]http://www.tiruchengode.in/images/ardhanareeswarar.jpg[/img][/size][/size][/font][/color][/center]


[size=4][color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]The above is the "Moolavar" of Ardhanareeswara of The Temple in Tiruchengode, in Namakkal District of Tamil Nadu State.[/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, sans-serif]One can read further at [/font][/color][url="http://www.tiruchengode.in/index.html"]http://www.tiruchengode.in/index.html[/url][/size]

[Anta Assamey]

[CHANAKYA]

Shiva..!!

[pinky123]

gp

 

[BillMarkSteve]

Om Namah Shivaya...

Hara Hara Mahadeva...Shiva...

[k2s]

[littlemoon]

()>>  nice thread

 

Om Namah Shivaya :)