♥ History from Shiv Puran ♥
According to Puranas, once the other two of the triads of Hindu gods, Brahma and Vishnu were fighting over each other’s prowers. Horrified at the intensity of the battle, God Shiva To make them realize the futility of their fight, God Shiva assumed the form of a flaming Linga in between Brahma and Vishnu and challenged both of them by asking them to measure the gigantic Linga (phallic symbol of God Shiva).
Awestruck by its magnitude, Brahma and Vishnu decided to find one end each to establish supremacy over the other. Lord Brahma took the form of a swan and went upwards while Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Varaha - a boar and went into the earth towards nether land. Both searched for thousands of miles but neither could find the end. On his journey upward, Brahma came across Ketaki flower. Exhausted and bewildered with his search to find the uppermost limit of fiery column, Brahma made Ketaki assent to lie that he had seen the top of the column where the flower had previously resided. Accompanied by his accomplice, Brahma confronted Vishnu and asserted that he had indeed discovered the origin of the cosmic column.
At this point, the central part of the pillar split open and Shiva revealed himself in His full glory. Overawed, both Brahma and Vishnu bowed before him accepted God Shiva’s supremacy. God Shiva also explained to Brahma and Vishnu that both of them were born out of him and that the three were then separated out into three different aspects of divinity. However, God Shiva was angry with Brahma for making a false claim.
The God cursed Brahma that you spoke the lie even when you have my volition so no one would ever pray and worship to you, but you will get your share in yagna and the yagna would not be considered complete in which you don't get a share. (This legend explains why there is hardly any Brahma temple of significance in India and Brahma is not worshiped among peoples) God Shiva also punished the Ketaki flower for testifying falsely and banned it from being used as an offering for any worship of God Shiva but you will be used in decorating my attire.
And pleased with Vishnu and said that you spoke the truth even when you have my volition so you will be worshiped like me in the world & Lord Vishnu is worshiped like God Shiva in the world.
Since it was on the 14th day in the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna that Shiva first manifested himself in the form of a Linga, the day is extremely auspicious and is celebrated as Mahashivaratri - the grand night of Shiva. ♥
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