BACK TO THE ORIGINAL.

BACK TO THE ORIGINAL.

This extraordinarily beautiful pose of Lord Shiva and parvati makes us think:
Before all of creation, Shiva and Shakti are joined in perfect repose, called Parasamvit, and portrayed as the Ardhanarishwara.This is the perfect balance of transcendence and manifestaion,Creator and creative power, what is called 'Being" and "Becoming". But as of yet, there is no Creation.
Then, after the subtle stir of vibration, 'spanda" Shiva's Shakti becomes intent to "CREATE" . At this point, interestingly, it appears as if Shakti Distances Herself from Him, so as to emanate the manifest world.
Now, birth is given to a whole Universe, that has forgotten the Original Shiva Nature.This forgetting of the Original Nature of Shiva is what appears as a lack of Shakti.
And the whole Lila (play) is for Her to close up to Him , all over again...thus too The whole Universe begins to remember its Divine beginnings.
In her appearance of being away fromShiva, Shakti is called Maya, and the knowing of her as always actually being with Him, is Grace, Anugraha.

Shail Gulhati: Shiva and Mysticism.