Ardhanarishvara Stotra : A Hymn on Unified Form of Shiva and Shakti by Shankara Bhagavadpaada

Ardhanarishvara means the half feminine form of ishvara (Shiva) this form is a combined form of Shiva and Shakti. The most important forms of Shiva described in the shaivagamas, puranas, and mantra shastras acharya Adishankara composes this hymn to praise this form of Shiva. Worshiping this form is equivalent to worshiping Shiva and Shakti together.He attaches two mantras in the ending verse of each shloka. The two mantras are the Shiva panchakshari (namah shivaya) and shakti panchakshari (namah shivayai) The hymn is an octet comprised of eight shlokas and a shloka describing the benefits of reciting. In ardhanarishvara form of Shiva, one half is feminine and other half is masculine,This is one of the most beautiful poetic hymns by Adishankara bhagavadpada. He uses same words meaning differently in different contexts and similar words in this hymn n to praise the Shiva portion and the Shakti portion of this form.He doesnt only praise the differences (diversities) in the masculine and feminine aspects but also those attributes which are common and similar.This wonderful form is 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. 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.