English - Shiva Puranam

Brahma, riding his swan, shot upward to find the top. Vishnu, in his boar form (Varaha), dived deep into the netherworlds to find the bottom. Vishnu dug through the cosmic mud, crossed the seven underworlds, but the pillar only grew more brilliant and endless. Finally, humbled and tired, he returned and admitted, “I cannot find the end. This is no ordinary fire. I bow to its source.” The Deception of Brahma Brahma, meanwhile, flew upwards for thousands of divine years. He passed the realms of the sun, moon, and stars. Still, the pillar’s top was nowhere in sight. As exhaustion and pride took hold, he saw a Kethaki flower (pandanus) slowly floating down from above.

“I am the source of all creation,” said Brahma. “No, I am the one who sustains all worlds,” replied Vishnu. shiva puranam english

Brahma returned to Vishnu and declared, “I have seen the top! I am the Supreme!” At that moment, the Pillar of Fire split open, and emerged — radiant, three-eyed, serene, and terrible at once. He held a trident and a drum, his body smeared with ash, his matted locks flowing like the Ganges. Brahma, riding his swan, shot upward to find the top

Their argument grew fierce, and a cosmic war seemed imminent. Just as they raised their divine weapons, a terrible and magnificent sight appeared before them. From the heart of the cosmic void, an infinite erupted — a column of blazing, effulgent light that had no beginning and no end. It stretched beyond the highest heavens and plunged deeper than the lowest hells. Finally, humbled and tired, he returned and admitted,

Desperate and dishonest, Brahma said, “Then you will be my witness. Tell Vishnu that I reached the top.” The flower agreed, flattered by Brahma’s status.

Brahma asked the flower, “Where did you come from?” The flower replied, “I was once a garland on the head of the Supreme. I have been falling for ages from a height far above you.”