It is said that the system of this universe rests on three divine powers- Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. One creates the universe, the other those who maintain it and the third one destroys it when the time comes. But for centuries, only one question has been echoing in the minds of people that who is the most powerful among these three? This question still remains at the center of faith, mythology and stories.

Many different answers to this question are found in religious texts and mythology. At some places Shiva has been described as the best, at other places the greatness of Vishnu has been described. At the same time, some stories also tell that it is wrong to compare the three. Let us try to understand this mystery through these three main stories.

What happened when Brahma and Vishnu had a dispute over superiority?

According to the first story, once upon a time a dispute arose between Brahma and Vishnu as to who was the greatest. The matter escalated so much that a situation of conflict arose. Then suddenly an infinite pillar of fire appeared between them, which had neither visible beginning nor end.

It was decided that the one who finds the end of this pillar will be called the best. Vishnu went downwards and Brahma went upwards, but both could not reach the end. Vishnu accepted politely. ‘I couldn’t find the end of this column…’. Whereas Brahma claimed that ‘I have reached the end.’

Then Shiva appeared from that pillar of fire. Enraged at Brahma’s lies, he cut off one of his faces and said, ‘After today you will not be worshipped…’. He blessed Vishnu that ‘You are as worshipable as me.’ Shiva was considered the best in this story.

Did the examination of Saptarishis change the definition of superiority?

In the second story, the same question arose in Saptarishi’s mind as to who is the greatest among the Trinity. He decided to take the exam. First of all he went to Brahma and insulted him, which made him angry. After this he reached Shiva and insulted him also, due to which Shiva also got angry. At last they reached Vishnu, who was resting. The sage kicked his chest, but instead of getting angry, Vishnu held his feet and politely said, ‘Is your foot hurt?’ Seeing this the sage was astonished and understood that true greatness lies not in power but in humility. In this story Vishnu was described as the best.

Could the Trinity itself not understand the secret of its power?

In the third and most mysterious story, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva were sitting together. Then the thought came in Shiva’s mind whether he could destroy everyone with his power. He first used his power on Brahma and he was burnt to ashes, but from the same ashes came a voice ‘Wherever there is creation, there I am.’ And Brahma appeared again. After this, Shiva used Shakti on Vishnu, he also turned into ashes but came back within a few moments.

In the end Shiva burnt himself to ashes. There was darkness all around, but after some time all three reappeared from the ashes. Then Shiva realized that the cycle of creation never ends. Creation, maintenance and destruction are interconnected and one is incomplete without the other.

After all, what lesson can we learn from these three stories?

The essence of all these stories is that it is not appropriate to compare the Trinity. Every power has its own importance. Where there is creation, there Brahma will exist, where there is preservation, there Vishnu will reside and where there is end, there Shiva will play a role. This balance governs this universe and this is the biggest lesson of this entire story that every power is complete in itself, but together it creates completeness.