Vaikunth Chaturdashi

Vishnu Worships Shankar
    One day the god Vishnu left his abode Vaikunth. He was riding his “garud” (eagle) towards Kashi (Benares), where at that time the god Shankar (Shiva) was residing. He had decided to worship Shankar with great devotion. For this purpose he picked up one thousand lotuses (“kamal”), which he knew was a flower very dear to Shankar, one flower for everyone of Shankar’s thou-sand names. Vishnu went to get the flowers at Manas Sarovar, a lake in the Himalayas. Flying fast he reached Kashi before dark. The dome of Vishvanath’s temple was shining with the golden rays of the setting sun. That was Shankar’s temple.
After taking bath in the river Manikarnika, Vishnu once more counted the one thousand lotuses and with full satisfaction went to Vishvanath’s temple. Shankar welcomed him with a smile, and Vishnu with great devotion bowed to Shankar. Vishnu began to offer the flowers one by one at the feet of Shankar, with each flower he repeated one of Shankar’s names: “Shivay namaha”, “Mahadevay namaha”, “Pashupataya namaha”,... At every name Vishnu bowed and dropped one flower on Shankar’s “pindi” (Linga or phallus). Vishnu became fully absorbed in the worship of Shankar. Shankar was pleased but he wanted to test Vishnu’s devotion. Without Vishnu noticing it, Shankar put aside one of the lotuses.

One Flower Is Missing
    When Vishnu uttered the thousandth name, “Vishveshwaray namaha”, he was dismayed to realize that the thousandth lotus was missing. He was deeply disturbed. Several times he had counted the flowers and he was sure they were one thousand. Night was coming to an end and it was not possible to return to Manasarovar to bring one more lotus. He thought for a while, and finally he found the right solution. “They call me ‘kamalnayan’ (the lotus-eyed), which means that my eyes are like lotus. If I offer one of my eyes to Shankar it won’t be too big a loss,” Vishnu thought. He plucked one of his eyes and repeating the name of Vishvanath he dropped it on Shankar’s pindi.
    “Dhanya, dhanya” (blessed, blessed), said Shankar, and from the stone pindi he said solemnly, “Vishnu, the lotus-eyed. There is no other devotee like you.” Shankar embraced Vishnu with great love, and placing his hand on his face, Vishnu’s eye was immediately restored to its place. Then full of satisfaction Shankar asked Vishnu, “Now, what shall I give you?”
    “I expect nothing, Vishvanatha!” Vishnu replied.
    “You will be the supreme commander of the three worlds,” Shankar announced.

Vishnu-Shiva Dialogue
    Vishnu replied, “Mahadeva, people call you ‘Bhola Samba’ (the Simple One). It is alright if you give boons to people like me. But you are equally generous to the demons. They become haughty and the whole world begins to clamour for my intervention to destroy the demons.”
    “Yes, that is correct,” Shankar said smilingly. “My nature is like that. But I am giving you one means of destroying the demons. I know you have no need of it. But, please, accept what I give you.” Saying this Shankar placed the wheel in the hand of Vishnu. From that time Vishnu holds the wheel in his hand and is therefore known as “Chakrapani” (“chakra” = wheel, “pani” = hand). Shankar is known as “Shulpani” because he holds the trishul (trident) in his hand.
    The followers of Vishnu are known as Vaishnavas and the followers of Shiva, Shaivas. The former apply gopi chandan (white clay) on the forehead, and wear a tulsimala round their neck. The latter apply ashes on the forehead and wear a rudrak-shamala. Rivalry between the two sects has been traditional. The feast of Vaikunth Chaturdashi, notwithstanding Shankar’s clearly shown superiority, shows the friendly relationship that existed between Shiva and Vishnu, and should therefore help to bring about union between Vaishnavas and Shaivas. Union between any two rival groups is a positive step in the direction of union with all men, which should be the final goal in every effort to unite people. The brotherhood of men under the fatherhood of God, this is true religion