Ardha

Ardha (アルダー, Arudaa), also known as Ardhanari, Alder or Ardhanarishvara is a recurring figure in the Shin Megami Tensei series. Derived from the androgynous God of Hinduism, Ardha is a deity composed of Shiva and his consort Parvati, the divine Shakti, representing the synthesis of masculine and feminine energies. Ardha, along with his counterpart, Hari-Hara plays a prominent role in the Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner duology.

History
The term 'Ardhanarishvara' is a combination of three words- 'ardha', 'nari' and 'ishvara', meaning respectively, 'half', 'woman' and 'Lord' or 'God', that is, Ardhanarishvara is the Lord Who is Half Woman. The god is literally half-male on one side and half-female on the other, usually depicted with the male half bearing aspects of Shiva and the female half bearing aspects of Parvati. It is one of the most common forms of the Divine in Indian art and the figure itself is likely older than the many stories and myths that have formed around it. In some texts, Ardhanarishvara is an androgynous incarnation of Shiva, in others it is the form of Shiva and Parvati, who loved each other so deeply that they joined as one being rather than stay apart.

Appearances

 * Shin Megami Tensei II: Majin Clan
 * Shin Megami Tensei: if...: Majin Clan
 * Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 2: Atma Avatar
 * Persona 3: Fusion spell
 * Persona 4: Judgement Arcana

Shin Megami Tensei II
Ardha, known as Alder makes his/her first appearance in Shin Megami Tensei II. He/She can only be created by fusing Shiva and Parvati.

Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 2
Ardha is the Atma Avatar of Seraph in Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 2. Just as Seraph is a being composed of the combined data of Serph and Sera, Ardha holds the perfect balance of masculine and feminine energies. It has no elemental weaknesses. The manifestation of Seraph is likely another reference to Ardha, as Seraph is created when Sera and Serph are immolated in their attempt to reach the sun, similar to how the god Ardhanarishvara was created after the rebirth of Parvati, who in her previous life died of self-immolation and joined with Shiva when reincarnated.

Ardha inherits the Mantra boards of both Serph and Sera, along with their mastered skills. While Seraph's personality is similar to Sera's, players are given the freedom of customizing Ardha's stats, leading to a well-balanced character. Depending on Serph's decisions towards Margoret Cuvier's plans of creating a world of Tuners earlier, Ardha may also inherit Hari-Hara's special skill from Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner, Reincarnation, which deals massive Almighty damage to all enemies and costs 99 MP.

In a second cycle save, Serph will inherit the Mantra board and the mastered skills of Ardha, but none of Ardha's elemental affinities, nor Reincarnation, which must be acquired the same way in every playthrough.

Persona 3
Ardha is not personally in the game, but is represented instead as a Fusion Spell of the same name using Shiva and Parvati. Upon execution, the Ardha Fusion Spell inflicts severe Fire damage upon all enemies.

Persona 4
Ardha appears as a Persona of the Judgement Arcana. He can be summoned once the Protagonist reaches Lv. 90 or above. Furthermore, the Protagonist must complete the Tower Arcana Social Link, as Ardha's fusion prerequisites requires the special fusion of Shiva and Parvati, with the former being the Ultimate Persona of the Tower Arcana.