Shaiva

Ardhanareeshwara

अर्धनारीश्वर

Also known as Ardhanari, Ardhanarishvara, Uma Maheshwara

Ardhanareeshwara is the composite form of Shiva and Parvati, half male and half female, expressing the inseparability of consciousness and energy.

Temples of Ardhanareeshwara → All gods

4chants

2temples

Tradition: Shaiva
Consort: Shiva and Parvati united
Vahana: Nandi
Abode: Mount Kailash
Weapon: Trishula
Festival: Maha Shivaratri, Navaratri

Origin story

When Parvati embraced Shiva, their forms merged into one body, half male and half female. The image of Ardhanareeshwara reveals that the divine masculine and feminine are not two things set against each other but a single whole.

The right side is Shiva with matted hair and trident, the left is Parvati with a mirror and graceful ornament. The form is a meditation on consciousness and energy, and it is invoked wherever devotees seek harmony between strength and tenderness.

Source: Wikipedia: Ardhanarishvara — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ardhanarishvara

Symbolism

The right side is Shiva with matted hair and trident, the left is Parvati with a mirror and graceful ornament.

Mantra 2

Om Ardhanareeshwaraya Namah

ॐ अर्धनारीश्वराय नमः

Oṃ Ardhanārīśvarāya Namaḥ

Meaning — I bow to the lord who is half woman, the union of Shiva and Shakti.

Recited for: Daily japa, harmony and balance

Om Shivashaktyatmakaya Namah

ॐ शिवशक्त्यात्मकाय नमः

Oṃ Śivaśaktyātmakāya Namaḥ

Meaning — I bow to the one whose nature is Shiva and Shakti together.

Recited for: Japa for inner balance

Sloka 1

Champeya Gaura Sloka

चाम्पेयगौरार्धशरीरकायै कर्पूरगौरार्धशरीरकाय। धम्मिल्लकायै च जटाधराय नमः शिवायै च नमः शिवाय॥

Cāmpeyagaurārdhaśarīrakāyai Karpūragaurārdhaśarīrakāya, Dhammillakāyai Ca Jaṭādharāya Namaḥ Śivāyai Ca Namaḥ Śivāya

Meaning — Salutations to her whose half is golden as the champaka flower, and to him whose half is white as camphor, to the one with braided hair and the one with matted locks, to Shivaa and to Shiva.

Recited for: Dhyana and worship of the united form