Ardhanaareshwara

Eshwara took this avthar to prove something to this world. This is a little intriguing as this can be interpreted differently based on stories on how this this avthar happened, as they belong to different periods of time. Here are 2 such stories relating to this :

• Bhringi was a great devotee of Shiva. He was such a devotee that he dedicated himself only to Lord Shiva. When he came to Kailasa once, Parvati makes it difficult for him to worship only Shiva by sitting on the Lord's lap. Bhringi takes the form of a snake and tries to worship the Lord alone. This infuriates Shiva and he takes the form of the Ardhanaareshwara which is half Shiva & half Parvathi. Bhringi shows dissatisfaction about this form and hence Parvathi curses him to be devoid of the prakrithi aspect of human being. He loses blood and flesh and becomes unable to even stand and thus realises how they both are important i.e Purush & Prakrithi i.e Shiva & Parvathi respectively. He realises his folly and was granted a third leg to help him survive.

• Another story tells about Parvathi' jealousy towards Ganga. She gets angry about ganga being on the top of Shiva's head always and hence shiva takes this form to appease her. 

This form has more meanings in todays world. It represents vivid dichotomies where profound knowledge is needed to comprehend this. 

• Male and female.
• Linga and Yoni.
• Father and mother. 
• Purush and prakrithi. 
• Passive and active force of nature
• Shaivism and shakthism. 
• Destruction and construction. 
• Sanity and materialism. 
• Fearsome and gentle.
• Superiority and inferiority. 

You can further dig into this philosophy. Enjoy!!