This Ardhanarishvara painting of Shiva in a way symbolizes the syncretic ideology, for it emphasizes the union of the principal cult deities of Shaivism and Shaktism. The dress and ornaments of the two halves of the body are different in as much as they are made to befit a male and a female. While Shiva’s lower garment made of animal skin ends at his knees, that of the goddess covers her leg completely.
At the feet of Shiva is Nandi, the bull that is his associated vehicle. At the other side is the fierce lion, belonging to Durga. This beautiful androgyne image portrays the coming together of Parvati as Durga with her lord, the togetherness of female and male and the oneness of prakriti and purusha.
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