Lingodbhava

Category
RELIGION

Language
INDIAN

In a Shaiva legend, the deities Vishnu and Brahma once engaged in a debate regarding their superiority. To resolve the debate, Shiva appeared as a massive pillar of light,[1] and challenged them to find his source.[2][3] Brahma took the form of a gander, and flew to the sky to see the top of the flame, while Vishnu became the boar Varaha, and sought its base. This scene is called the Lingodbhava and is represented in the western wall at the sanctum of many Shiva temples. Neither Brahma nor Vishnu could find the source, and while Vishnu conceded his defeat, Brahma lied and said he had found the pinnacle. Angered by the latter's dishonesty, Shiva took the form of Bhairava and decapitated one of the five heads of Brahma. Furthermore, in punishment, Shiva ordained that Brahma would never have temples on earth for his worship. As Shiva cut off Brahma's fifth head, he had committed the sin of brahmahaty?p?pa and had to roam the three worlds as Bhikshatana, a naked beggar, to get absolved of his sin. This sin is finally absolved at Varanasi on the banks of the Ganga river.[2] The legend is detailed in the Vishnu Purana.[4]

Wikipedia contributors, "Lingodbhava," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia,