Brahma was assigned the task of creation by Shiva. In the process, Brahma was conceited that he was the Creator of the Universe. He thought ‘No one can be greater than I am. I am the first born. Why should I accept anyone else as senior or greater? With this idea in mind he went to Vishnu and said ‘Oh Vishnu! I am the greatest. I created you. Therefore it is your duty to worship me. You must obey my orders!’
Vishnu was enraged. He said ‘Oh Brahma! stay within your limits!! Don’t you remember that you were born from my navel? Do not forget that I nurture and protect one and all and I am the preserver’. Both couldn’t agree and they began to quarrel. Very soon the quarrel turned into a fight. The Devas were upset with the fight and found themselves helpless. They prayed to Shiva to get the dispute settled. Shiva went to the place where Brahma and Vishnu were fighting in full fury.
Lord Shiva took the form of a ‘Shivlinga’ and placed himself between the two. The ‘Shivling’ was so huge and tall that its upper end was not visible. The light coming out of the ‘Shivling’ was so bright that Brahma and Vishnu were stunned. The fight came to an end. Both Brahma and Vishnu decided to investigate what the ‘Shivling’ was. They decided that whoever finds the top or bottom of the linga first will be the superior God.
Vishnu took the form of a white boar. He looked at the ‘Shivlinga’ and went to find it’s base. Brahma decided to find the upper end of the Shivlinga. He took the form of a swan and began to fly above in the sky. Both of them could not trace the bottom or the top of the ‘Shivlinga’. Vishnu gave up his search as there was no end to the Shivlinga. Brahma kept flying in search of the top but couldn’t find it. He had failed in his mission. While flying in the sky, Brahma saw a ‘ketaki’ flower.
Both came back to their original spot. Brahma, forced by his nature of deceit said ‘Look at this flower which I picked from the top of this pillar. There is nothing else there.’ The flower too agreed with what Brahma had said. Shiva was annoyed at what Brahma said. He emerged from the pillar and created a Bhairava and said ‘Brahma! You are a liar. You shall be punished.’ He ordered Bhairava to cut off Brahma’s head which was done promptly. Brahma said to Shiva ‘Oh Great Lord! Forgive me. I confess I lied and accept my mistake.’ Then Shiva signalled Bhairava to stop.
Then Shiva said to Brahma ‘Your punishment is still incomplete. You shall not be worshipped at any ocassion. The ‘ketaki’ flower will never be used in worshipping Me.’ Brahma did not dare to speak. Vishnu then humbly bowed to Shiva with folded hands and said ‘I couldn’t find the base of the ‘Shivalinga’. It is infinite and it has no beginning or no end. You are the Supreme God of the Universe.’ Vishnu had spoken the truth and Shiva was pleased with him. Brahma and Vishnu accepted Shiva’s supremacy.
