God and Gender in Hinduism - Ardhangini: The Cornerstone of Relationships

Ardhangini: The Cornerstone of Relationships

The concept of Ardhangini, of woman being an equal part of man and vice versa, and without either, both are incomplete. This concept has extensively proliferated in Hindu society, especially the rituals of Hindu weddings.

This relationship is theologically symbolized by the marriage of Shiva and Uma, whose relationship and symbiotic love is a cornerstone of two major Hindu ideologies, Shaivism and Shaktism. Their eternal love-making describes the unity of their form and function. Shiva and Uma are interlinked and inseparable. Uma is the core of the Goddesses Durga and Kali, who are the female forms of Shiva, the Lord Destroyer.