'Ardhanarishwar' in Solid Brass

Provenance

The concept of Ardhanarishwar originates from ancient Indian philosophy and spiritual traditions, representing the inseparable union of the masculine and feminine energies of the universe. Rooted in the Shaivite tradition, Ardhanarishwar is an embodiment of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati (Shakti) in a single, androgynous form, symbolizing the harmony and interdependence of opposites—creation and destruction, matter and consciousness, yin and yang.

This concept finds its earliest mention in the Shvetashvatara Upanishad (c. 4th–3rd century BCE) and is elaborated upon in texts like the Puranas and the Tantras, where it is celebrated as the ultimate principle of cosmic balance. Iconographically, Ardhanarishwar began appearing in sculptures and reliefs during the Gupta period (c. 4th–6th century CE) and reached artistic prominence in the Pallava and Chola dynasties of South India, as seen in temple carvings in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The imagery of Ardhanarishwar—a figure split vertically into male and female halves—is a profound metaphor for spiritual completeness, transcending binary notions of gender. It reflects the philosophical idea that creation is possible only through the union of opposites, and it promotes the values of equality and coexistence. This concept continues to inspire art, literature, and spiritual thought in India and beyond, remaining a timeless symbol of unity in diversity.