Ardhanarishvara – half Shiva, half Parvati – symbolises perfect harmony: male strength meets female nurture, logic dances with emotion. No hierarchy, just interdependence.
But today’s marriages falter on imbalances. While one partner dominates finances, the other dominates in emotions. But equality in marriages/relationships means shared decisions, acknowledged labour, and growing together as a couple.
Psychologically, equitable partnerships report higher satisfaction. Shiva didn’t rule Parvati; they amplified each other. Modern couples can learn from them that marriage isn’t a conquest. Instead, it is a dance where both partners lead and follow, creating unbreakable bond.
