Ardha Nareshwar

Ardha Nareshwar in Lord Shiva's half-male half-female human form appeared before Brahma who was meditating. As soon as Brahma opened his eyes, Ardha Nareshwar split into a man and a woman. With this revelation, Brahma was able to learn about the dual nature of the sexes and the sexual process of the creation of all beings on earth.

Ardha Nareshwar is the androgynous manifestation of Lord Shiva that unites the antagonistic forces of male and female power and matter and energy to display the two-fold nature of the universe. In the male half of the painting (blue), Shiva wears his characteristic loin-cloth and carries a trident. His female counterpart (yellow) carries a conch.

Lord Shiva, like Lord Vishnu, is considered to be absolute reality, the Supreme One. Like Lord Vishnu, he has many forms and is called many names; Ardha Nareshwar is just one of them. Some myths have Lord Shiva as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, but to millions Lord Shiva, rather than Lord Vishnu, is the ultimate representation of the Supreme One. Lord Shiva is more affiliated with destruction, though he is also known for his tranquil meditative nature.