ARDHANREESHWARA

Perhaps the most perfect example of male-female equality even as far back as in the Vedic ages can be seen in the concept of the 'Ardhanareeshwara', a beautiful union of Lord Shiva and his consort Shakti (Parvati). One look at the statue reveals a body of a man and woman blended in a perfect union. The right half is that of a man and the left, that of a woman. The woman is known as 'Wamangi' (Wam-left side; Angi- of the body) or 'Ardhangini' (Ardha-half; Angini-of the body) is shown to be on the side of the heart in the body. In the modern medical thought, the right lobe of the brain controls the left side of the body, which harnesses the powers of grace, beauty, balance and calm. The right side is characteristically male, controlled by the left-brain lobe, signifying power, activity, strength and dynamism.