Shiv's Forms: Ardhanarishvar and Nataraj

The Shatarudra Samhita of the Shiv Puran tells that at the start of creation Brahma made many beings from his mind, but creation was not growing. Worried, he did tapasya to Shiv. Then Shiv appeared in a wondrous form: half his body male and half female.

This form is called Ardhanarishvar. On the right side, Shiv with matted hair, trident and ash; on the left, Shakti with long hair, jewellery and grace. Brahma praised the Goddess. She blessed creation with her power to grow, and from then on creation continued through the union of woman and man.

The message of this form is deep. Shiv and Shakti are not separate, like a word and its meaning, or fire and its heat. They are equal, and each is incomplete without the other. The form teaches that every person needs a balance of strength and gentleness within.

Shiv's other famous form is Nataraj, king of dance. In temple tradition, especially at Chidambaram in South India, Shiv is shown performing the Ananda Tandav, the dance of bliss. His dance is seen as the rhythm of the universe being created, sustained and dissolved.

Every part of the Nataraj image says something. In one hand the damru, the first sound of creation; in another, fire, for dissolution and change; one hand raised in abhaya, saying do not fear; and the lifted foot, offering grace to devotees. The dwarf crushed beneath his foot stands for ignorance, which Shiv overcomes.