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.

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. Shiva was in an ecstatic condition and because of that, Parvati was drawn to him. After Parvati did many things to woo him and sought all kinds of help, they got married. Once they were married, Parvati said, “This state that you are in within yourself, I want to experience it too. 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 towards him, and sat on his left lap. Since she had placed herself totally in his hands, and she became half of him.

Shiva shed half of himself and included her. This is basically trying to manifest that the masculine and the feminine are equally divided within yourself. Essentially, it is not two people longing to meet, it is two dimensions of life longing to meet – outside as well as inside. 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 became half-woman, half-man.

This is a symbolism to show that if you evolve in your ultimate context, you will be half a man and half a woman – not a neuter – a full-fledged man and a full-fledged woman. That is when you are a full-blown human being. The “feminine” and “masculine” are certain qualities. Only when these two qualities happen in balance within, can a human being live a life of fulfillment. ~ Sadhguru! 🔱❤️👁❤️🔱

Jai Shiva Shakti ~ Jai Shankar Parvati ~ Jai Shri Ardhanarishwaraya Namah! 💟💖❤️