LORD TRYAMBAKESHWAR OF NASIK

THE ANTIQUITY

They are many legends about this place. Listen to the major ones. The scene of action is laid in Devaloka in the dim past. The story goes that Brahma and Vishnu were discussing the place of Siva among the Trimurthis. As they proceeded, a long and unending series of pictures of Siva's glory and the countless lilas he demonstrated sailed into their ken, and as such his image grew endlessly. Brahma fancied then to find out the 'adi' and 'anata' of his Viratarupa. When suggested, Vishnu accepted to go downwards to find out the bottom, whereas Brahma to go upwards to find out the top. Forthwith, Vishnu assuming the form of Varaha started digging to reach the feet - the bottom portion. He dug and dug - endless and timeless, but could not. Deciding to confess his inability, he returned. In the meanwhile Brahman, who went upwards riding his mount - Swan, felt thoroughly exhausted and determined to return and admit his failure to reach the top. Just hen he saw a Ketaki flower coming down. He sought her help to give false evidence in his favour. It accepted. Brahma then lied to Vishnu of his finding the top. Devendra and others disbelieved him. So they approached Siva, who reaching the scene with ungovernable anger proclaimed that Brahma was a liar, and so he should go without temple and worship in the world; for if a falsifier were to be let off-to go scot-free, there would be total chaos. 

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