ARDHANARISHWAR- THE FABULOUS SYMBOLISM OF SHAIVISM.
Shiva is everything as the ultimate consciousness.
But when He manifests in form, it is male. Here too, He is inseparable from His consort, Parvati, who is female, together they are called Ardhanarishwar, the God that is indistinguishable in gender. Ardhanarishwar, the androgynous representation, of Lord Shiva and Parvati, is an extremely beautiful Shaivic symbollism. It denotes the perfect repose of Prakasa (illumination) and vimarasa (reflection of that illumination on itself, therefore its power, to do).
This is yin yang, being and becoming, wu and wei, in physics, potential and kinetic energy; God, and Mother Nature!
and, for many in fond affection, Shiva and Shakti.
The paintings that depict Ardhanarishwar, however, have their limitation, as all symbols must. Obviously thought out before the technology of 3D pics, their limitation is that it makes you think of ShivaShakti as half of Shiva and the other of Shakti, which it certainly is not.
Shiva, is Shakti, Shakti is Shiva..its like a thing, and its 'in herent" quality, like fire and heat.The Ardhanarishwar is the HIGHEST YOGA between Being and becoming!!
Perhaps a 3D representation, which would show Shakti from far, and Shiva as you approach the picture, would be a closer representation.
This, does not, of course, in any way lessen the unique representation thought out as this picture by ancient seers.
The great Zen amsters have a saying" dont miss the moon for the finger"
in this case,the moon which is being pointed at is that Shakti, and its beholder, Shaktiman, are one.
This is another pointer too, that Godhead is never referred to in a particular sex, technically, consciousness is not a 'He", nor a 'She", but Everythingness. Aum Namah Shivaya!!
and, for many in fond affection, Shiva and Shakti.
The paintings that depict Ardhanarishwar, however, have their limitation, as all symbols must. Obviously thought out before the technology of 3D pics, their limitation is that it makes you think of ShivaShakti as half of Shiva and the other of Shakti, which it certainly is not.
Shiva, is Shakti, Shakti is Shiva..its like a thing, and its 'in herent" quality, like fire and heat.The Ardhanarishwar is the HIGHEST YOGA between Being and becoming!!
Perhaps a 3D representation, which would show Shakti from far, and Shiva as you approach the picture, would be a closer representation.
This, does not, of course, in any way lessen the unique representation thought out as this picture by ancient seers.
The great Zen amsters have a saying" dont miss the moon for the finger"
in this case,the moon which is being pointed at is that Shakti, and its beholder, Shaktiman, are one.
This is another pointer too, that Godhead is never referred to in a particular sex, technically, consciousness is not a 'He", nor a 'She", but Everythingness. Aum Namah Shivaya!!
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