In a brilliantly moving posture, “Ardhanarishwara” (“Ardha” meaning half, “Nari”- woman, and “Ishwara”- god) is placed on a neat upturned lotus pedestal- lotus, a symbol of origin. The murti presents Ardhanarishwara with a long “Jatamukut” or crown of matted hair, adorned with a crescent moon. Shiva in the right half of the brass Ardhanarishwara statue has two arms, in one of which he carries a goad, a weapon that signifies his role as Pashupati- the controller of the soul which is compared to an animal or Pashu. Goddess Parvati on the left has her leg raised in the air, while Shiva with his foot firmly grounded highlights his stability which is combined with the vigorous female potency or Shakti to bring a serene balance to the world.The primary hands of Shiva-Shakti in this brass Ardhanarishwara statue are positioned in the gesture of playing a musical instrument. Merging the powerful visual narration of the act of dancing and the coming together of Shiva-Shakti, this brass Ardhanarishwara statue will assuredly fill its surroundings with life-affirming energies that emanate from this divine union.
