The Endless Pillar of Light: Brahma and Vishnu

Once Brahma, the creator, and Vishnu, the protector, began to argue: which of us is greater? The quarrel grew until both were ready for battle. The devas were alarmed, because a clash between two such mighty powers could shake all of creation.

Suddenly, between them, a huge pillar of fire appeared. It was so bright it dazzled the eyes. It had no visible beginning and no end. Astonished, the two agreed: whoever first finds the end of this pillar of light will be accepted as the greater one.

Vishnu took the form of a varaha, a boar, and went downward. Brahma became a swan and flew upward. They travelled for ages, but neither found an end. Vishnu came back humbly and admitted that the pillar was endless.

Brahma met a ketaki flower drifting down from above. He persuaded the flower to bear false witness for him, returned, and claimed he had seen the top. At that moment Lord Shiv appeared from the pillar. He praised Vishnu's honesty and was angered by Brahma's lie.

Shiv's anger broke Brahma's pride, and Brahma asked for forgiveness. At Vishnu's request, Shiv forgave him, but declared that the ketaki flower, which had lied, would not be offered in his worship. Tradition holds that this first appearance of Shiv as endless light is the root of Shivling worship.