1. Ardhanari - DNA

Lets look at a very unique representation of the Divinity

-------- Ardha Nari --------

Ardha Nari represents the concept of Shakti as an equal half of Shiva.

Shakti is the trigger that engergy , that causes the potential, Shiva to actually manifest as creation and life. It is this Shkati that stirs up Shiva with all the potential, to start the Srishti or process of creation and regeneration. Shakti is that Prakrithi ( Natural Impulse ) and energy that therefore causes creation.

Shakti(Energy) is thus the complement of Shiva without both of whom Srishti (Creation) is incomplete.

Such a concept , of the fusion of two giving rise to life is reflected even in the basic building block of every life form, namely the DNA.

The double helical, interwined structure of DNA further reflects this wonderful aspect of the seperate but inseperable components of life.

Which is what the pair of Shiva and Shakti as Ardha Nari represent for the source of life - Shiva being the potential for manifestation for life with Shakti being the trigger and energy behind the Creation of Life.

Many people would have noticed small idols of double helical intertwined snakes (naga) under trees in temples and villages and in other areas.

It will be interesting to note that there is an age old custom in India where people pray to this idol of double helical intertwined snake (naga) in order to beget a child.IT is a practice that seems to tally with the Indian view and understanding of Shiva and Shakti and their roles in Creation, Procreation and Re-Creation.

It will be worth noting that in the concept of Ardha Nari, Shakti is seen as a Saha Dharmini (Equal Participant) of Shiva in all acts.

A point to be emphasized here is that, while in the Western figure of speech, recognitions given to the women by highlighting that behind every successful man there is a woman, Indian thought does not give woman a place behind the man, but considers her as a Saha Dharmini(an equal participant) or a complement to the man.The concept of equality between man and woman was appreciated, understood, practiced and venerated through the form of Ardha Nari.

Now there may be a small question about why Shiva being on the right side and Shakti on the left?

There is a scientific reason behind it too.

The answer is in the finding of a recent scientific study conducted by University of Beleares of Spain.

According to this project which studied the magnetic field produced by electric currents in the brains of men and women, it was found that the active region of the brain in men was focused more on the right side while that in women, used both left and right sides.

Were our ancestors aware of this distinction between the functioning of our brain in man and woman and is Ardha Nari a representation of the awareness of this knowledge ?

This is borne out by the knowledge of our ancestors about the body, its anatomy , its metabolism etc.
(So the answer is probably YES)

Indian Ayurveda and Yoga explain that the left side of human body is connecte with the right side of the brain and vice-versa. The breath through the nostril slows down the metabolism and keeps the body cool and calm.The energies arising out of the breath from the left nostril is associated with the moon or Soma or feminity. The breath through the right nostril increases the metabolism by atleast 50% more and increases the heat and increases the metabolism by atleast 50% more and increases the heat and activity in the body. The energies arising out of the breath from the right nostril are associated with the sun or Surya or masculinity.

Hence, Shiva is depicted on the Right side or masculine side and Shakti on the left side or feminine side.