Ardhanarishvara Stotram by Adi Shankaracharya | Meaning & Benefits
अर्धनारीश्वर स्तोत्रम् (ardhanārīśvara stotram)
आदिशङ्कराचार्य कृतम्
Introduction
अर्धनारीश्वर/ardhanārīśvara means: अर्ध/ardha - half, नारी/nārī - female and ईश्वर/īśvara - God, hence it can be said that ‘The God that is half female’. According to अद्वैत/advaita philosophy, अर्धनारीश्वर/ardhanārīśvara is a Hindu deity who is a combined manifestation of Shiva, also known as the destructive force or the static, and Shakti, also known as the creative energy or the dynamic. These two elements are essential for new creation and, consequently, the annihilation of the old. The merger of the universe's two poles, sometimes represented as masculine and feminine, is symbolised by the representation of God Shiva and Goddess Parvati as a single entity that possesses both male and female attributes. This form depicts the idea that everything in this enormous cosmos is certainly interconnected and that duality is an illusion.
And to honor this great union of प्रकृति-पुरुष/prakṛti-puruṣa, where prakṛti is Goddess Parvati, the femininity and puruṣa is Lord Shiva, masculinity, this beautiful hymn अर्धनारीश्वर स्तोत्रम्/ardhanārīśvara stotram was written by आदि शङ्कराचार्य/ādi śaṅkarācārya. Some scholars say that ādi śaṅkarācārya composed this prayer while he was returning home from his visit to ardhanārīśvara temple. In this prayer, he praises the ardhanārīśvara form, where the halves of Goddess Parvati and God Shiva are represented in a poetic and aesthetic manner.
Composition of the stotra
There are a total of eight verses in this prayer followed by one verse of फलश्रुति/phalaśruti. These verses
are deeply meaningful, contrasting the heavenly works and appearances of the god Shiva and the goddess
Parvati in the one form.
Each verse describes the praises for Goddess Parvati in feminine gender forms of
Sanskrit words (for ex;
शिवायै, निरीश्वरायै and so on) and in masculine gender forms (for ex; शिवाय, जगदेकपित्रे and so on) for Lord
Shiva.
Importance
The significance of God Shiva and Goddess Parvati is conveyed by ardhanārīśvara's holy form, which states
that they are inseparable and equal. At the same time, the form signals to the followers that they should
worship both equally.
This form symbolises the male and feminine energies of the universe and also denotes knowledge and power.
The enormous advantages of this stotram are explained in the phalaśruti section.
Since it asserts that God Shiva and Goddess Parvati are indivisible and one and the same, ardhanārīśvara
Stotram is regarded as one of the holiest stotras.
Lord Brahma was first enlightened about the creation
by the ardhanārīśvara form. This form's emergence
during the offerings of Sage भृङ्गी/bhṛṅgī further emphasises the significance and asserts that Shiva and
Shakti are one and the same.
It also emphasises on recognising the importance of both Shiva and Shakti; i.e.
without Shakti, Shiva is
unmanifested, unsaid and without Shiva, Shakti is directionless. They are the two components of the Supreme
being.
Benefits
This hymn represents the devotion and knowledge towards the one realisation- eternal Brahman. Hence chanting this stotra can help balance both the masculine and feminine energies in ourselves.
The God ardhanārīśvara is also the Lord of dance and emotions. In Indian scriptures and arts, we see the iconicity and references of bowing down to ardhanārīśvara or Nataraja before beginning the performance. Hence chanting this prayer can invoke activity and creativity in one’s self.
Also, with the help of the Guru, this stotra can bring us a sense of emotional maturity; reducing the high sense of ego, inner turmoil and increasing empathy, intuition.
The phalaśruti section of this stotra explains in detail how this wonderful hymn enhances you, transforms you into a magnificent person, grants you longevity, and bestows tremendous respect.
Reciting the stotra with deep devotion will bring auspiciousness and good fortune in life, according to the palastuti section. By comprehending the meaning and imagining the form, you can also experience the pure ecstasy of both the Goddess Parvati and the God Shiva when you recite the stotram.
अर्धनारीश्वर स्तोत्रम्/ardhanārīśvara stotram:
चाम्पेयगौरार्धशरीरकायै कर्पूरगौरार्धशरीरकाय।
धम्मिल्लकायै च जटाधराय नमः शिवायै च नमः शिवाय॥
cāmpeyagaurārdhaśarīrakāyai karpūragaurārdhaśarīrakāya।
dhammillakāyai ca jaṭādharāya namaḥ śivāyai ca namaḥ śivāya॥
आधे शरीर में चम्पापुष्पों सी गोरी माँ पार्वतीजी हैं और आधे शरीर में कर्पूर के समान गोरे भगवान् शिव सुशोभित हो रहे हैं।
(देवी पार्वती का) सिर का आधा भाग सुन्दर रूप से गुंथित है, जबकि (भगवान शिव का) आधा भाग जटाओं से युक्त है। ऐसी भगवती पार्वती और भगवान् शिव को मेरा प्रणाम है।
On one half of her body is Goddess Parvati, fair as Champa flowers, and on the other half is Lord Shiva, fair as camphor. The half of the head (of Goddess Parvati) is braided beautifully, while the other half (of God Shiva) is with matted hair. I salute Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.
कस्तूरिका कुङ्कुमचर्चितायै चितारजः पुञ्जविचर्चिताय ।
कृतस्मरायै विकृतस्मराय नमः शिवायै च नमः शिवाय ॥ २ ॥
kuṅkumacarcitāyai citārajaḥ puñjavicarcitāya ।
kṛtasmarāyai vikṛtasmarāya namaḥ śivāyai ca namaḥ śivāya ॥ 2 ॥
देवी पार्वती का एक भाग कस्तूरी की सुगंध और अन्य कुमकुमों से लिपटा हुआ है, जबकि भगवान शिव का आधा भाग चिता भस्म से लिपटा हुआ है।
पार्वती की ओर से जो रूप भव्य (आभूषणों और वस्त्रों से सुसज्जित) है और शिव की ओर से जो भयानक (हाथी की खाल, व्याघ्र की खाल और सर्पों से युक्त) रूप है।
मैं आपको, देवी पार्वती और अर्धनारीश्वर रूप में भगवान शिव को नमन करता हूँ।
The side of Goddess Parvati is smeared with the fragrance of Kasturi (musk) and other Kumkumas, while the half of Lord Shiva is smeared with ashes from the funeral pyre.
On Parvati’s side, the form is splendid, adorned with jewels and clothes; on Shiva’s side, the form is dreadful, with elephant skin, tiger skin, and serpents.
I bow to you, Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, in the form of Ardhanārīśvara.
झणत्क्वणत्कङ्कणनूपुरायै पादाब्जराजत्फणीनूपुराय ।
हेमाङ्गदायै भुजगाङ्गदाय नमः शिवायै च नमः शिवाय ॥ ३ ॥
jhaṇatkvaṇatkaṅkaṇanūpurāyai pādābjarājatphaṇīnūpurāya ।
hemāṅgadāyai bhujagāṅgadāya namaḥ śivāyai ca namaḥ śivāya ॥ 3 ॥
देवी पार्वती का आधा भाग कलाइयों (कंकण) और टखनों (नुपुर) पर पहने जाने वाले मधुर ध्वनि उत्पन्न करने वाले आभूषणों से सुशोभित है,
जबकि दूसरे भाग में, भगवान शिव के चरणकमल नूपुर के रूप में सर्पों से सुशोभित हैं।
यह उत्कृष्ट रूप, जहाँ बाईं ओर यह सोने से बना है और दाईं ओर यह एक साँप है।
मैं आपको, देवी पार्वती और अर्धनारीश्वर रूप में भगवान शिव को प्रणाम करता हूँ।
The half of Goddess Parvati is adorned with pleasant sound-making ornaments worn on the wrists (bangles) and on the ankles (anklets).
While in the other half, the lotus feet of Lord Shiva are adorned with serpents as anklets.
This wonderful form, where on the left side it is made of gold and on the right side it is a snake.
I bow to you, Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva in the form of Ardhanārīśvara.
विशालनीलोत्पललोचनायै विकासिपङ्केरुहलोचनाय ।
समेक्षणायै विषमेक्षणाय नमः शिवायै च नमः शिवाय ॥ ४ ॥
viśālanīlotpalalocanāyai vikāsipaṅkeruhalocanāya ।
samekṣaṇāyai viṣamekṣaṇāya namaḥ śivāyai ca namaḥ śivāya ॥ 4 ॥
देवी पार्वती की आँखें विशाल, लंबी, फैली हुई और नीले कमल के समान हैं, जबकि भगवान शिव की आँखें खिले हुए लाल कमल के समान चमकीली हैं।
दो नेत्रों वाली देवी और तीन नेत्रों वाले भगवान का संयुक्त रूप।
मैं आपको, देवी पार्वती और अर्धनारीश्वर रूप में भगवान शिव को प्रणाम करता हूँ।
The eyes of Goddess Parvati are great, long, extended, and resemble blue lotuses, while the eyes of Lord Shiva are bright like blossomed red lotuses.
The composite form of the two-eyed Goddess and the three-eyed God —
I bow to you, Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva in the form of Ardhanārīśvara.
मन्दारमालाकलितालकायै कपालमालाङ्कितकन्धराय ।
दिव्याम्बरायै च दिगम्बराय नमः शिवायै च नमः शिवाय ॥ ५ ॥
mandāramālākalitālakāyai kapālamālāṅkitakandharāya ।
divyāmbarāyai ca digambarāya namaḥ śivāyai ca namaḥ śivāya ॥ 5 ॥
देवी पार्वती के माथे को गुड़हल के फूलों की माला से सजाया गया है, और भगवान शिव का गला खोपड़ियों की माला से सुशोभित है।
हे उस असाधारण रूप, जिसमें देवी का एक भाग दिव्य वस्त्रों से युक्त है, जबकि भगवान शिव का दूसरा भाग बिना वस्त्रों का है।
मैं आपको, देवी पार्वती और अर्धनारीश्वर रूपी भगवान शिव को प्रणाम करता हूँ।
The forehead of Goddess Parvati is decorated with a garland of Hibiscus flowers, and the neck of Lord Shiva is adorned with a garland of skulls.
O the extraordinary form, where the goddess side is with divine garments, while the side of Lord Shiva is without any clothing.
I bow to you, Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva in the form of Ardhanārīśvara.
अम्भोधरश्यामलकुन्तलायै तडित्प्रभाताम्रजटाधराय ।
निरीश्वरायै निखिलेश्वराय नमः शिवायै च नमः शिवाय ॥ ६ ॥
ambhodharaśyāmalakuntalāyai taḍitprabhātāmrajaṭādharāya ।
nirīśvarāyai nikhileśvarāya namaḥ śivāyai ca namaḥ śivāya ॥ 6 ॥
देवी पार्वती के केश जलधारी काले बादलों के समान काले हैं, जबकि भगवान शिव की जटाएं तांबे के रंग की तथा बिजली की तरह चमकती हैं।
हे देवी, जिसके ऊपर कोई श्रेष्ठ नहीं है, और हे देव, जो सम्पूर्ण ब्रह्माण्ड का महान ईश्वर है।
मैं आपको, देवी पार्वती और अर्धनारीश्वर रूपी भगवान शिव को प्रणाम करता हूँ।
The hair of Goddess Parvati is black like water-bearing dark clouds, while the hair locks of Lord Shiva are coppery and radiant like lightning.
O Goddess, who has no superior above her, and O Lord, who is the great God of the entire cosmos —
I bow to you, Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva in the form of Ardhanārīśvara.
प्रपञ्चसृष्ट्युन्मुखलास्यकायै समस्तसंहारकताण्डवाय ।
जगज्जनन्यै जगदेकपित्रे नमः शिवायै च नमः शिवाय ॥ ७ ॥
prapañcasṛṣṭyunmukhalāsyakāyai samastasaṃhārakatāṇḍavāya ।
jagajjananyai jagadekapitre namaḥ śivāyai ca namaḥ śivāya ॥ 7 ॥
मैं उस रूप को नमन करता हूँ जिससे देवी पार्वती के चेहरे पर कोमल मुस्कान के साथ ब्रह्मांड की रचना शुरू होती है और जिससे पूरा ब्रह्मांड तांडव नृत्य के माध्यम से शिव में पुनः मिल जाएगा।
हे ब्रह्मांड की माता और पिता, मैं आपको, देवी पार्वती और अर्धनारीश्वर रूप में भगवान शिव को नमन करता हूँ।
I bow to the form by which the creation of the cosmos begins with the gentle smile on the face of Goddess Parvati, and by which the entire cosmos is reunited back into Lord Shiva through the tandava dance.
O the Mother and the Father of the Cosmos, I bow to you, Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva in the form of Ardhanārīśvara.
प्रदीप्तरत्नोज्ज्वलकुण्डलायै स्फुरन्महापन्नगभूषणाय ।
शिवान्वितायै च शिवान्विताय नमः शिवायै च नमः शिवाय ॥ ८ ॥
pradīptaratnojjvalakuṇḍalāyai sphuranmahāpannagabhūṣaṇāya ।
śivānvitāyai ca śivānvitāya namaḥ śivāyai ca namaḥ śivāya ॥ 8 ॥
माता पार्वती का स्वरूप बहुमूल्य रत्नजड़ित कान-कुण्डलों से शोभायमान हो रहा है, और भगवान शिव का स्वरूप महान सर्पों को कान-कुण्डलों के रूप में धारण करके सुशोभित है।
हे शिव (देवी पार्वती) से एकाकार होने वाली और शिव (भगवान शिव) से एकाकार होने वाले, मैं आपको, देवी पार्वती और अर्धनारीश्वर रूप में भगवान शिव को प्रणाम करता हूँ।
Mother Parvati’s form shines resplendent with precious gem-studded earrings, while the form of Lord Shiva is adorned with great serpents as his earrings.
O the one united with Shiva (Goddess Parvati) and the one united with Shiva (Lord Shiva), I bow to you, Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva in the form of Ardhanārīśvara.
फलश्रुतिः/phalaśrutiḥ :
एतत् पठेदष्टकमिष्टदं यो भक्त्या स मान्यो भुवि दीर्घजीवी ।
प्राप्नोति सौभाग्यमनन्तकालं भूयात्सदा तस्य समस्तसिद्धिः ॥ ९ ॥
etat paṭhedaṣṭakamiṣṭadaṃ yo bhaktyā sa mānyo bhuvi dīrghajīvī ।
prāpnoti saubhāgyamanantakālaṃ bhūyātsadā tasya samastasiddhiḥ ॥ 9 ॥
जो व्यक्ति भक्तिपूर्वक इस आठ श्लोकों वाले स्तोत्र का पाठ करता है, उसे अपनी सभी इच्छाएँ, सम्मान, दीर्घायु और सभी शुभ वस्तुएँ अनंत काल तक प्राप्त होती हैं।
जो व्यक्ति इसे बार-बार दोहराता है, उसे सभी शक्तियाँ और सिद्धियाँ प्राप्त होती हैं।
The one who reads this stotram containing eight verses with devotion will obtain all their desires, honour, long life, and all auspicious things for eternity.
One who repeats it again and again will attain all powers and perfection.
॥ इति आदिशङ्कराचार्यविरचितं अर्धनारीनटेश्वरस्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
॥ iti
ādiśaṃkarācāryaviracitaṃ ardhanārīnaṭeśvarastotraṃ sampūrṇam ॥
1 Kamatar, P. (2021). Examining the Variant Gender Expressions in Indian Mythology. Millennium Journal of English Literature, Linguistics and Translation, 2(5).
