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Ardhanarishvara at Elephanta

Ardhanarishvara atElephanta

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Ardhanarishvara, literately translates into the god (Siva) half female. For

its artistic excellence , this image is arguably the second best image, after

the three headed Mahesh Murthi at Elephanta.

From the Hindu mythology, the

Ardhanarishvara represents a composite

androgynous form of the Hindu god Shiva

on right and his consort Parvathi on left

half, split down the middle.

There are very many mystical stories and

explanations for such a concept in the

Hindu pantheon. The one interesting story

goes line this.

Once many sages came to their adobe ,

Kailash to pay their respect to Lord Shiva

and Parvathi. One of the sages called

Bhringi refused to bow and pay respect.

The reason, Parvathi was sitting besides Shiva. He was staunch devotee

of Shiva, the he would not bow to anyone other than Shiva. This made

Parvathi angry and makes him a skeleton of bones. Unable to stand,

Bhringi reduces into a pile of bones. Taking pity of his plight Shiva gives

him a third leg to balance on. Bhringi precariously stands on his three

legs and starts dancing around Shiva in devotion.

This made Parvathi jealous and angry. She does penance and get the

boon to be merged with Shiva’s body to challenge Bhringi. Now that

Bhringi could not pay his respect to Shiva without bowing to Parvathi

too!

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Ardhanarishvara, literatelytranslates into the god

(Siva) half female. For itsartistic excellence , this

image is arguably thesecond best image in

Elephanta after the threeheaded Mahesh Murthi at

Elephanta.

Bhringi turns himself into a beetle, pierces a hole through the now

androgynous body and performs circumambulation only to portion

(right half) belonged to Shiva!

Parvathi is now reconciles, admires the dedication of the sage.

Artistically this is a form difficult

form to work with. This image not

only succeed in achieving that

balance but also excelled in the

distinctive expressiveness of Shiva and Parvathi with out compromising the

other.

Both Shiva and Parvathi is portrayed with four arms, a very common

iconography expression in Hinduism. Shiva’s one hand rests at ease on the head

of Nandi, the bull.The other hand is lifter up and holds the cobra, that usually

sits around his neck.

The rear hand of Parvathi holds a mirror, while the other hand rests along the

waist and probably holds the turf of garment (the palm is damaged).

The parvathi’s head is elaborately decorated with a jeweled crown. Interesting to

note Shiva’s longer earlobe with the weight of the ear ornament.

The torso and waist is distinctly masculine and feminine of either sides.

The lower portion of the Ardhanarishvara image is destroyed.

Son of Shiva and Parvathi, Kumara, who is considered as the Lord of War stands on the left bottom of the panel.

Above Kumara , sitting on the lotus is Lord Brahma, the four headed Lord of Creation.

On Parvati’s side close to her arm with mirror is Indra, the King of Gods siting on the elephant called Airavata.

The are two superbly executed women fly whiskers at the lower portion on of the panel on Parvati’s side, though the

faces were damaged.

R s.33 4 R s.49 6

R s.73 6 R s.76 7

R s.1 16 9 R s.8 39

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Ardhanarishvara at Elephanta . The image depicts the Parvathi’s side.Note the elaborate crown decoration. Seen on the left standing is

Kumara (Kartikeya), the Lord of War and above him seen seated onlotus flower is Brahma , the Lord of Creation.

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