Hymn-Ardhanariswara Stotram of Adi Sankara (M. Venkataraman)

Glimpses from Indian spirituality, mythology and way of life.

Ardhanariswara Stotram

This is a beautiful hymn composed by Adi Sankara offering salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi in the form of Ardhanariswara. Ardhanariswara is a form of Shiva combined with his consort Parvathi. Literally, it means half female deity. The form of Shiva here is depicted as half-male and half-female, equally split down vertically in the middle. The right half is generally that of Shiva, and the left that of Parvathi. The form is stated to represent the synthesis of Purusha and Prakrti. It represents the synthesis of Matter and Spirit or the masculine and feminine energies of the universe and illustrates how Shakti is inseparable from Shiva. In the hymn, the word Shiva represents both Shiva and Parvathi. ‘Shivayai’ is feminine representing Parvathi and ‘Shivaya’ is masculine representing Shiva.

In this hymn Adi Sankara picturises this form.

The phalasruti says that those who chant or hear this Stotram with devotion will be blessed with long respectful life, fulfilment of all desires and will obtain all auspicious things for eternity.

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