Once day, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma started quarrelling about which of them was superior. Just then, Shiva appeared beside them in the form of an endless column of light. The column stretched upwards and downwards as far as the eye could see. The two gods decided that whoever found the top or the bottom of the column first would be superior. So, Lord Vishnu in the form of a boar, went far downwards but could not find the base of the column, and finally gave up. Lord Brahma, in the form of a swan, flew upwards but he too was unsuccessful in reaching the top. He saw a Ketaki flower falling down. He caught it and returned to the starting point to meet Lord Vishnu. Then claiming his success, he waved the flower, which he said he had found at the top. Lord Vishnu asked the flower if Brahma was true. The flower of the column replied that Lord Brahma was true. This lie angered Lord Shiva, and he cursed the flower. The Ketaki, till then considered the best among flowers, lost its importance and was never again offered in worship except on Mahashivratri when it makes a shy appearance.
THE ACCURSED KETAKI
