Who Is the Best of ‘Em All?
Of egos and a sage's quest to determine who is worthy.
This is in response to a request from to share stories of the Destroyer-God. If you would like me to share stories on specific topics, please join the chat!
A new retelling of an old tale.
Sages who were exceptionally enlightened and aware of the Self developed uncanny skills that took ages of austere meditation to achieve.
One such sage was so advanced in his mastery that he developed a third eye in his foot that allowed him free access to the abodes of the three main Gods: The Preserver, The Destroyer, and the Creator.
As shared earlier, prescribed rituals, 'or ‘sacrificial worship’ known as ‘homas’ have been performed since ancient times. Each worship has different goals.
On that occasion, many of the most enlightened sages had gathered to perform this ritual. They wanted to dedicate the sacrifice to a single God, whom they considered to be the best among the three main gods.
But as they enquired of each other, no one could agree on who it was.
So they nominated one of them, considered the foremost sage, to discover which one of the three Gods was the most worthy of this worship and honor.
The sage so chosen proceeded to each of the three Gods’ residences because some sages could travel at will, and because of the third eye in his foot, he was even more blessed to travel unfettered.
First, he went to the Creator God. When the sage arrived, the Creator God was busy conversing with His wife, the Goddess of Education and Music (the Arts). Furious that the Creator-God did not even notice his entry, the sage cursed the God to never be worshipped on Earth. So it came to be for the Creator-God, Brahma.
Next, the sage went to the Destroyer-God’s abode. When he arrived, he found the God and his consort, the Goddess of Power, completely immersed in each other and dancing together engrossed. Angry again, his temper fueled by his ego, he cursed God to be worshipped formless on Earth as He was so taken with form.
Culture tip: Explore these curated dance interpretations in this performance or this or this. All of them depict various ancient dances of the Destroyer-God as He is revered as the God of Dance. The Destroyer-God, Shiva, is only worshipped in His formless image.
Finally, the sage arrived at the abode of the Preserver-God, who was also immersed in conversing with his consort, the Goddess of Wealth.
By now, angered beyond bounds at this perceived disrespect, his foot’s eye causing him to overestimate his importance, he rushed towards the Preserver God and kicked him in the chest.
Immediately, the Preserver-God addressed the sage, begged pardon, asked if he was okay, and hoped that his foot was not hurt from having to exert itself. The Preserver-God requested him to be seated and looked after his comfort for a minute or two.
The sage was mollified and allowed himself to be catered to with devotion by the Preserver-God. He decided this God had shown his worthiness and demonstrated sufficient remorse and devotion with respect due to the sages.
The Preserver-God, when comforting the sage, also pressed his feet, and in doing so, he removed the third eye.
Instantly, the sage realized his mistake, and repentant he begged pardon for causing him harm with his unchecked ego and anger. The Preserver-God wished him well and sent him on his way, and the sage returned to his peers, satisfied he had found the answer.
However, on the sage’s leaving, the Preserver-God discovered the wrath of his consort, the Goddess of Wealth, who figuratively lived in His heart. Instead of being angered by the sage’s kicking her place on His chest, and punishing him, the Preserver-God had shown him respect and honor.
This she considered an insult to Her and upset, she decided to leave the Preserver-God as she could no longer live with Him.
Note: The place of the Goddess of Wealth being in the heart implies that a human’s generosity also comes from the heart.
Despite His many entreaties, she abandoned Him, taking the guise of a human female, and came down to Earth to meditate in seclusion.
Bereft, the Preserver-God, Vishnu, descended to Earth as a human to find Her.
Thus began the story of the time when the Preserver-God as a human searched for his love. The tale concludes with Him turning to black stone, a form in which he is now worshipped at one of the richest and most visited temple in India.
But for today, it suffices to know this story of the sage, who in setting out to decide who was most worthy, cursed each of the Gods to be worshipped in a particular form, which continues to this day in India.
In doing so, the sage also had his power curbed by the Preserver-God.
Read the below story on the Destroyer-God and why He wears a snake around his neck.
If you enjoyed this retelling and found the cultural videos enriching, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Please leave a comment below.
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Interesting stuff Jayshree. I truly appreciate you taking the time to create a piece on this subject.
For me, I find it difficult immerse myself in ancient Vedic texts. Not only are some of the words and expressions completely alien, but many do not have a unified spelling (see: Stambha or Skambha). I'm exhausted after trying to work through the Swami Vivikananda/Paris Congress text.
I also fully support the Swami's (it was his idea, right?) idea that scholars' suggestions that India was somehow influenced by the Greeks is simply not true, and neither is the other Western fallacy that Shiva's form is somehow phallic.
I will point out, however–and I actually learned this from an Indian scholar, Dr. Uday Dokras (The Hellenization of India) –that there are MANY names and events appearing in the Mahabharata which are eerily similar in legends and myths told in regions as far away as Scandinavia and Iceland. In fact, these similarities exist everywhere where Indo-Europeans have been, including Greece. The war between the Asuras and the Devas has been told the world round, and this event particularly interests me, because there is a little known Middle Eastern myth that discusses the same event, but ALSO mentions an immense pillar/column of fire that drove away the 70 reigning gods. This column actually existed, as my co-author has found its remnants, which means another aspect of Shiva and the Shiva lingam–which speaks of "proof,""evidence,"" and "symptom" of god's power are almost frighteningly real and should be regarded as such.
As to your retelling: what a joyous read! I do not doubt that it says much more than it lets on, especially the idea of not being able to decide between three gods. I hear a conflict between monotheistic cultures and polytheistic ones, but I'm sure other interpretations are possible.
Always enjoy your work, Jayshree!
Jayshree, The se stories are fascinating. D