ardhanārīśvara means the half feminine form of īśvara (Shiva) this form is a combined form of Shiva and Shakti. It is the union of Shiva and shakti and expresses their oneness. This is one of the most important forms of Shiva described in the shaivāgamas, purānas, and mantra shāstras āchārya Adishankara bhagavadpāda composes this hymn to praise this particular form of Shiva. Worshiping this form is equivalent to worshipping Shiva and Shakti together. The kind āchārya attaches two mantras in the ending verse of each shloka. The two mantras are the Shiva panchāksharī (namaḥ śivāya) and shakti panchāksharī (namaḥ śivāyai) The hymn is an octet comprised of eight shlokas and one other shloka describing the benefits of reciting this hymn. In ardhanārīśvara form of Shiva, one half is feminine and other half is masculine, hence āchārya Adishankara bhagavadpāda uses words denoting feminine gender for the feminine half and the words denoting masculine gender while referring the masculine half of the form. He uses both genders to refer this form. This is one of the most beautiful poetic hymns by āchārya Adishankara bhagavadpāda. He uses same words meaning differently in different contexts and similar words in this hymn to praise the Shiva portion and the Shakti portion of this form. He doesn't only praise the differences (diversities) in the masculine and feminine aspects but also those attributes which are common and similar. This wonderful form is not a mere symbol of gender equality but the personification of universal spirit divided into masculine and feminine and the form reminds us the beauties and charms of each gender and shows us its completeness in a godly manner. Worshipping the lord in this form teaches us the art of love, compassion, and the sacredness of love, the highest spiritual truth of both the genders and the importance of both fierce and soft attributes and aspects of the lord. This form of the lord also teaches us how the men and women complete each other, make each other better, stay together with the diversities and similarities in them and complement each other. Whoever recites with devotion this octet which fulfills the desires is respected and has a long life on earth, he attains good fortune for limitless time and let there be always all kinds of success

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