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In Hinduism male means facilitating force (Saguna Brahman) and female means retarding force (Nirguna Brahman)

All Hindu gods are made of these forces only.

In Shiva the retarding force is Parvati.

Separate existence of Shiva and Parvati makes activities that need great effort slow and sluggish. To make such activities fast and efficient the Shiva and Parvati forces were considered as one. Symbolically, this is represent by uniting right half of Shiva with left half of Parvati, resulting in Ardhanareeshwara.

Thus, Shiva being half male and half male is symbolic of the facilitating and retarding forces working harmoniously.

Therefore, Shiva can be half male and half female.

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14y ago

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