Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 50, Shloka 10
Adhyaya 50 — Mind-Born Progeny, Svayambhuva Manu’s Lineage, and Brahmā’s Ordinance to Duḥsaha (Alakṣmī’s Retinue)
अर्धनारीनरवपुः पुरुषोऽतिशरीरवान् ।
विभजात्मानमित्युक्त्वा स तदान्तर्दधे ततः ॥
ardhanārīnaravapuḥ puruṣo 'tiśarīravān | vibhajātmānam ity uktvā sa tadāntardadhe tataḥ ||
Isang makapangyarihang Persona, na ang katawan ay kalahating babae at kalahating lalaki, ang nagsabi, “Hatiin mo ang iyong sarili,” at pagkaraan ay naglaho roon.
FAQs
The world-process requires polarity and complementarity. The narrative frames male and female not as hierarchy but as a necessary division for continuity of life.
Sarga: differentiation of the primordial being into sexes to enable further vaṃśa (lineage) and manvantara population.
The androgynous form symbolizes non-duality at the source; division is a functional manifestation of one reality into complementary powers—often read as consciousness and energy (puruṣa/śakti) in later interpretive lenses.