Dancing Ardhanarishvara (Shiva Shakthi) 13" x 11" Ash wood carving - Hindu God Wood Carving
Material: Ash wood
Finish: Maple stain and lacquer satin finish
Dimensions: 13.0 inch height x 11.0 inch width x 1.5 inch depth
Weight: 3.75 lbs
Shipping and delivery: 5 - 7 business days
Product description: Ardhanarishvara, one of the most popular iconographic forms of Shiva that symbolizes the male and female principles are inseparable. A composite deity that shows the male-female figure of the Hindu God Shiva together with his consort Parvati. The most popular stories associated with this form is about Sage Bhringi disrespecting Goddess Parvati by worshipping only Shiva. The Goddess took away the flesh and blood from Bhringi’s body making him weak, but Lord Shiva tried to protect the sage. As a result Parvathi took a penance asking Shiva to give one half of his body, and merge with him. The fusion of Shiva and Parvathi portrays the indispensability image of purusha (masculine, pure consciousness) and prakriti (feminine, principle of matter). The appearance of this form of Shiva as Ardhanarishvara made the Sage realize that although Shiva and Parvati appear as two different bodies, they are in essence one – the source of all creation. The ancient, famous Ardhanarishvara temple is located in Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu, India.
The wood carving portrays Ardhanarishvara standing in Tribhanga posture (Tribhanga means a body curved at three different parts namely neck, waist and knee). Shiva and Parvathi are usually accompanied by their Vahanas, namely the Bull and the Lion but there is Makara in place of the bull near shiva. The makaras are mythological sea dragon, and is the vahana of the river Goddess Ganga. The wood carving depicts the six armed Ardhanarishvara showing the clear separation of Male and Female torso, with respect to Shiva on the right, and Parvathi on the left. Shiva stands in a typical dance pose with one of his arms raised to his head, the second arm holds an axe, and the lower third arm holds a Khatvanga (a club with skull). The leg of Shiva is raised from ground level and is folded, and he is seen wearing a tiger skin, ornaments, a serpent coiled around his neck are all iconic attributes of Shiva. Parvathi is seen standing with her knee slightly bent, and has a well-developed bosom with a narrow waist, and a curvier body and hip with clothing draped representing the feminine part of the statue. Her three arms holds a Khetaka (shield), a mirror, and a lotus in the lower third arm. The wood carving is certainly admirable with the detailed iconic characteristics of Shiva and Parvathi; Ardhanarishvara is one of the beautiful manifestation of Lord Shiva and Parvathi with a profound inner meaning that explains the balance between the male and female energies, and that they are inseparable.
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