The Symbolic Unity Of Nature and Knowledge.

Ardhanarishvara represents the synthesis of Masculine & Feminine energies of the universe (Purusha & Prakriti) & illustrates how "Shakti" - the female principle of God is inseparable from "Shiva" - the male principle of God & vice- versa. The union of these principles is exalted as the root and womb of all creation. Another view is that Ardhanarishvara is a symbol of Shiva's all pervasive nature.

The name Ardhanarishvara means "the lord who is half woman".

The conception of Ardhanarishvara may have been inspired by Vedic literature's composite figure of "Yam- Yami"- the vedic description of the primordial creator Vishvarupa or Prajapati and the fire - God "Agni".

The Brihadaranyaka Upnishad says that "Purusha" splits himself into 2 parts, male & female and the two halves copulate, producing all life - A theme concurrent an Ardhanarishvara tales.

The concept of Ardhanarishvara originated in Kushan & Greek cultures simultaneously; the congraphy evolved in the Kushan era(30-375 CE) but was perfected in the Gupta era(320-600CE) amid first century Kushan era Stella in the "Mathura Museum" has a half - male, half- female image along with 3 other figures identified with Vishnu, Gaja, Lakshmi & Kubera. The male half is "Urdhvalinga" and makes an abhaya mudra gesture; the female left half holds a mirror and has a rounded breast. This is the earliest representation of Ardhanarishvara, universally recognised.

Story of Ardhanarishvara by Sadguru: -

"Generally Shiva is referred to as the ultimate man; he is the symbolism of ultimate masculinity, but you will see in the Ardhanarishvara form of Shiva, one half of him is a fully developed woman. Let me tell you the story of what happened. Shiva was in an ecstatic condition & because of that Parvati was drown to him. After Parvati did many things to woo him and sought all kinds of help, they got married, once they were married, naturally, Shiva wanted to share whatever was his experience. Parvati said; "This state that you are in within yourself, I want to experience it too. What should I do? Tell me. I am willing to do any kind of austerity." Shiva smiled and said; "There is no need for you to do any great austerity, you just come and sit on my lap." Parvati came & with absolutely no resistance towards him, sat on his left lap. Since she was so willing, since she had placed herself totally in his hands, he just pulled her in and she became half of him.

You need to understand, if he has to accommodate her in his own body, he has to shed half of himself. So he shed half of himself and included her. This is the story of Ardhanarishvara, basically trying to manifest that the masculine and the feminine are equally divided within yourself and when he included her, he became ecstatic. What is being said is that if the inner masculine and feminine meet, you are in a perpetual state of ecstasy.

Essentially, it is not 2 people longing to meet, it is 2 dimensions of life longing to meet - outside as well as inside. If you achieve it inside & outside will happen 100% by choice. If you do not achieve it inside the outside will be a terrible compulsion. This is the way of life . This is the reality which is being expressed in a beautiful dialectal form - Shiva included her as a part of himself and become half- woman - half- man.

If you look at the story of Ardhanarishvara as a symbolism of creation then these 2 dimensions - Shiva & Shakti - are known as "Purusha & Prakriti". The word Purush is today commonly understand as "Man" but that is not what it means. Prakriti means "Nature" or "Creation", Purush is that which is the source of creation. The source of creation was there, creation happened and it fit perfectly well into the source of creation. What is referred to as the purusha is the cause the main induction which sets things going. When the existence was primordial, when it was not in a state of creation, what caused it to snap up & suddenly become creation is referred to as Purusha. Whether a human being is born, it is happening to same way in terms of human understanding, it is referred to as male or masculine."

SHIVRATRI: - The name of the festival that roughly translates to the "Great Night of Shiva" is celebrated with fanfare and enthusiasm by the Hindu community across India and some parts of Nepal. As per the Hindu calendar, Shivratri is celebrated on the new moon day in the month of Magha. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the festival owes its origins to several versions, one of them being a celebration of Shiva and Parvati's marriage to each other.

Some other facts about the festival of Mahashivratri are: -

1. According to some, Shivratri is celebrated as the day when Shiva saved the world from the pot of poison that emerged from the ocean during Samudra Manthan. If legends are to be believed, Lord Shiva drank the poison and stored it in his throat- which made his throat turn blue (which is why he also come to be known as Neelkanth)

2. Yet another legend goes on to say that Shivratri is celebrated as the day when Brahma & Vishnu got into a major tiff about their supermacy over each other and an angry Lord Shiva punished them by taking the form of a massive fire that spread across the length of the Universe. Vishnu & Brahma then got into the race to find the end of the fire and prove their powers- only to be dismayed. Brahma resorted to a lie, and angered Shiva greatly who cursed that no one would over pray to him.

3. Though for some the festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated during the day, others celebrate it during the night by organising a series of Jaagran.

4. Shivratri festivities differ in various parts of India. Where is Southern Karnataka children have the leverage to indulge in mischief and then ask for punishment (symbolic of Shiva pushing Brahma for lying). Kashmiri Brahmin's celebrate Lord Shiva's marriage to Pravati by starting the festivities 3-4 days prior to the main festival.

5. Out of the 12 Shivratri in the year, the Mahashivratri is considered to be the most auspicious one.

6. The festival is not only celebrated in India and Nepal but also in parts of West Indies which apparently over 400 temples across the country.