Mahadev was called Ardhanarishwar because he received eight great powers from the Goddess.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Lord Shiva's "Ardhanarishvara" form holds special significance.  This form also inspires.  Today, we'll tell you from which goddess Lord Shiva received his powers and how he  came to be known as Ardhanarishvara.

Hence he is called 'Ardhanarishvara'. 

Lord Shiva has attained all the eight Siddhis by worshiping Mother Siddhidatri. Siddhidatri means the one who grants all types of achievements. Mata Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Maa Durga . According to Markandeya Purana, the eight Siddhis are Anima, Mahima, Garima, Ladhima, Prapti, Prakamya, Ishitva and Vashitva.

It is described in Devi Purana that Lord Shiva had attained these Siddhis only by the grace of Mother Siddhidatri and due to her mercy, half of Lord Shiva's body became that of the Goddess, due to which he was called 'Ardhanarishwar'.

Goddess Siddhidatri's form : Mother Siddhidatri sits on a lotus. Wearing a red sari, she appears serene and gentle. She has four arms, holding the Sudarshan Chakra, a conch, a mace, and a lotus. Her vehicle is a lion. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Siddhidatri bestows the eight siddhis, the nine treasures, knowledge, and all kinds of worldly and spiritual accomplishments.

What are those 8 siddhis?

1. Anima - The power to shrink one's body to the size of an atom.
2. Mahima - The ability to make one's body enormous or as large as the universe.
3. Garima – The power to increase the body's weight infinitely, so that no one can shake it.
4. Laghima – The power to make the body lighter than cotton.
5. Acquisition – The ability to obtain anything instantly or to reach anywhere.
6. Prakamya – The ability to fulfill any desire instantly.
7. Ishitva – These are divine powers through which nature can be controlled.
8. Vashitva – The ability to control all living beings or senses.

What does the Ardhanarishvara form represent?

In Lord Shiva 's Ardhanarishvara form, one half is represented by the male form of Shiva, while the other half is represented by the female form of Shiva, or Shakti. This form signifies that man and woman are complementary to each other.

Additionally, Lord Shiva's Ardhanarishvara form represents the male (consciousness) and Parvati the female (energy/power). Therefore, this form of Lord Shiva should inspire us to recognize that both men and women are incomplete without each other and that respect for both is essential.

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