The Supremacy of Vishnu

Vishnu is superior to Brahma and Shiva. In Vishnu, sattva guna alone is embodied. Brahma is an admixture of sattva guna and rajas guna. And all the three qualities of sattva, rajas and tamas are to be found in Shiva.

Shiva himself acknowledged Vishnu’s supremacy. At the time of creation, Brahma asked Shiva to create. To prepare himself for this difficult task, Shiva decided to meditate under the water. Under the water, Shiva came across a form of Narayana which was only the size of a thumb in stature. Ignoring this miniature form, Shiva began his meditation.

As the meditation progressed, eleven fiery forms appeared before Shiva. Shiva asked them who they were, but they vanished without bothering to reply. A brilliant and resplendent form then appeared before Shiva.

“Who are you? Asked Shiva.

“I am Narayana and the water is my abode,” was the reply. “The eleven forms which appeared before you were the eleven adityas. You are able to see me now because I have granted you divine sight. You may be powerful and omniscient and worshipped by the other gods, but without my grace, you too cannot see me”.