!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...............Ardhanarisvara…....…….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...............Ardhanarisvara…....…….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Shiva –Purana describes that the creator god Brahma created all male beings, the Prajapatis, and told them to regenerate, which they were unable to do. Confronted withthe resulting decline in the pace of creation, Brahma was perplexed To know the method of creation he did Tapas. As a result of his Tapas Adyasakti arose in Brahma’s mind. Through the help of Adyasakti Brahma meditated upon Tryambakesvara. Pleased by the penance of Brahma, Lord Siva appeared in the form of Ardhanarisvara (half male and half female).
Brahma praised Ardhanarisvara, Lord Siva then created from His body a Goddess by name Prama-Sakti .
Brahma prayed to the female half of Shiva to give him a female to continue creation. The goddess agreed and created various female powers from her body, thereby allowing creation to progress.
In other Puranas like the Linga Purana,Vayu purana, Vishnu purana Skanda purana,Kurma purana and Markandeya purana, Rudra (identified with Shiva) appears as Ardhanarishvara, emerging from Brahma's head, forehead, mouth or soul as the embodiment of Brahma's fury and frustration due to the slow pace of creation. Brahma requested Rudra to divide himself, and the latter complies by dividing into male and female. Numerous beings, including the 11 Rudras and various female shaktis, are created from both the halves. In some versions, the goddess unites with Shiva again and promises to be born as Sati on earth to be Shiva's wife.
Ardhanarishvara symbolizes that the male and female principles are inseparable.
The Linga Purana advocates the worship of Ardhanarishvara by devotees to attain union with Shiva upon dissolution of the world and thus attain salvation. The Ardhanarinateshvara Stotra is a popular hymn dedicated to the deity.
The fundamental of Ardhanarishvara form of lord also guide us how to live in this world during our journey in life. It is up to us to complete ourselves by correctly learning the lesson in life and move ahead .Both manhood and womanhood are needed to guide us to our goals, our destiny and take us to meaningful life.