Hinduism has several deities who are divided
vertically down the middle, and their left sides
represent a different divinity than their right sides.

Best known is probably Ardhanarishvara, the Lord Who's
Half His lady, who is usually Shiva on the right side,
and Parvati on the left side.

There's also Hari-Hara, again Shiva on the right side,
and Vishnu on the left side, showing that the
Destroyer and the Preserver are both manifestations of
Brahman.

I've also read of a deity found in South India, who is
Ganesha on the right side, and Hanuman on the left
side. Can anyone find a picture of this one?

While sorting through some old papers today, I found a
sketch a friend of mine did for me (unfortunately, I
don't have a scanner, so I can't show it to you). I
described it as Hari-Hara Shakti... Ma Lakshmi on the
right, and Ma Kali on the left, showing the interplay
of Gain and Loss. I really like this image, and I'm
surprised it hasn't occurred somewhere in Hindu
iconography.

-- Len/ Kalipadma


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