Ardhanarishvara, meaning ‘the Lord who is half-woman’, is a form of Lord Shiva that shows him as an androgynous figure, or a form that is half man and half woman. While one half is Shiva, the other half is Goddess Parvati. The Ardhanarishvara concept illustrates the fact that Prakriti and Purusha (the feminine and masculine energies of the cosmos) are equal and complementary. It also suggests that Shakti, the Sacred Feminine, is inseparable from God’s male principle represented by Shiva.
The masculine and feminine energies in the world are inseparable and complementary in nature. They help maintain equilibrium. Purusha signifies the passive force of the universe, and Prakriti is the active and dynamic force. Both of them need to merge with each other to generate and sustain the universe. Their union leads to the birth of the entire cosmos. Ardhanarishvara also denotes Kama or lust, without which procreation cannot happen.
Legends related to Ardhanarishvara
The Puranas contain many legends about Ardhanarishvara’s origin.
One legend says that after Lord Brahma created the cosmos, he found that there was no further development. Everything in the world remained the same. So he prayed to Lord Shiva, who appeared to him in the form of Ardhanarishvara. Then he realized that he had created only male beings and no female beings. Brahma then asked the female half or Shakti to give him a female so that the world could keep growing. The Goddess then created a female using her divine powers.
A well-known Tamil legend says that once, the Gods and the Rishis (sages) went to Mount Kailas (Shiva’s abode) to see Shiva and Parvati. One of the Rishis, Bhringi, worshipped only Shiva, ignoring Parvati. An angry Parvati cursed Bhringi. He lost all his flesh and blood and became a skeleton. He couldn’t even stand erect, so Shiva gave him a third leg for support.
Feeling hurt, Parvati performed severe austerities. Shiva then gave her a boon whereby she united with him eternally in the form of Ardhanarishvara. Bhringi could not avoid worshipping her now. But the wise sage turned into a beetle and circumambulated only Shiva’s body. He also made a hole in the deity’s navel, which separated the male half from the female half. Parvati realized the sage’s devotion to Shiva and buried the hatchet.
Worship of Ardhanarishvara
Ardhanarishvara is worshipped in many Shiva temples in India. It is believed that he can bless one with salvation from the material world. He has been praised in the works of the renowned Nayanars or Shaivite poet-saints of Tamil Nadu. The Ardhanarishvara Stotra is very popular among Shiva devotees. For many Tantriks, Ardhanarishvara is their tutelary deity.
Lord Ardhanarishvara bestows wish-fulfillment and spiritual blessings to his devotees. By performing Ardhanarishvara Pooja and Ardhanarishvara Homam, they can invoke the blessings of this deity.
Ardhanarishwar Pooja/Homa Benefits:
Eliminates sins and bad karmas
Brings spiritual progress and wish-fulfillment
Bestows peace and harmony in marital life
Bestows the blessings of Shiva and Shakti
Ardhanarishvara Stotram
This is a hymn that was composed by Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada. Many people chant this Stotram for a happy and prosperous family life.
Shri Ardhanarishwara Stotram
Champeya gowrardha sareerakayai,
Karpoora gourardha sareerakaya,
Dhamillakayai cha jatadaraya,
Nama Shivayai cha namashivaya.
My salutations to both Parvati and Shiva
To Her, whose body shines like molten gold,
To Him whose body shines like burning camphor,
To Her, who has well-coiffed hair,
And to Him who has the matted locks.
Kasthurika kumkuma charchithayai,
Chitharaja puncha vicharchithayai,
Kruthasmarayai vikrutha smaraya,
Nama Shivayai cha namashivaya
My salutations to both Parvati and Shiva,
To Her, whose body is smeared with musk and saffron,
To Him whose body is smeared with ashes from a burning ghat,
To Her whose beauty radiates love,
And to Him who destroyed the God of love.
Jhanath kvanath kankana noopurayai,
Padabja Rajat phani noopuraya,
Hemangadhayai bhujagangadhaya,
Nama Shivayai cha namashivaya.
My salutations to both Parvati and Shiva,
To Her who has tinkling pretty anklets,
To Him who has the king of snakes as an anklet,
To Her who shines with golden anklets,
And to Him who has snakes as anklets.
Visala nilothphala lochanayai,
Vikasi pangeruha lochanaya,
Samekshanayai vishamekshanaya,
Nama Shivayai cha namashivaya.
My salutations to both Parvati and Shiva,
To Her who has eyes as wide as the blue lotus,
To Him who has eyes as wide as a fully opened lotus,
To Her, who has an even number of eyes,
And to Him who has an odd number of eyes.
Mandhara mala kalithalakayai,
Kapalamalankitha kandharaya,
Divyambarayai cha Digambaraya,
Nama Shivayai cha namashivaya.
My salutations to both Parvati and Shiva,
To Her, whose hair is decorated with divine flowers,
To Him, who wears a garland of skulls,
To Her, who dresses in great silks,
And to Him wearing the eight directions.
Ambhodara syamala kunthalayai,
Thadithprabha thamra jatadharaya,
Nireeswarayai nikhileeswaraya,
Nama Shivayai cha namashivaya.
My salutations to both Parvati and Shiva,
To Her, who has black hair like a swollen cloud,
To Him, who has copper-matted locks like lightning,
To Her, who is the Goddess of the mountains,
And to Him who is the Lord of the universe.
Prapancha srushtyun muka lasyakayai,
Samastha samharaka thandavaya,
Jagat jananyai Jagatheka pithre,
Nama Shivayai cha namashivaya.
My salutations to both Parvati and Shiva,
To Her, whose dance marks the creation of the world,
To Him whose dance destroys everything,
To Her who is the Mother of the universe,
To Him who is the Father of the universe.
Pradeeptha rathnojjwala kundalaayai,
Sphuran mahapannaga bhooshanayai,
Shivanvithaayai cha Shivanvithaya,
Nama Shivayai cha namashivaya.
My salutations to both Parvati and Shiva,
To Her with glittering earrings of gems,
To Him who wears a great serpent as an ornament,
To Her who is divinely merged with Shiva,
And to Him who is divinely merged with Parvati.
Ethath pateth astaka mistatham yo,
Bhakthyaa sa maanyo bhuvi deerghajeevi,
Praapnothi saubhagyam ananthakaalam,
Bhooyaath sadha thasya samastha siddhi
Those who chant this Ardhanarishwara Stotram with devotion will be blessed with long life and all that they wish to have.
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Iti Shri Adishankara bhagavatpada virachitam Ardhanarishwara stotram Sampooranam ||
Here ends Sri Adi Shankara bhagavatpada composed Ardhanarishwara Stotram.
