[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c9.2058 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.2058 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.2058 - **Language:** English ### [c9.2058](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.2058) 2) Origin. There is the following Purāṇic story about the origin of the observance of Śivarātri as a sacred day. Brahmā took his birth in the lotus that originated from the navel of Viṣṇu. Brahmā trying to know the source of the lotus saw Viṣṇu only. He asked, ‘Who are you?’ and was answered ‘I am Viṣṇu, your father’. That answer did not satisfy Brahmā and a quarrel ensued between him and Viṣṇu which ended in fighting. Brahmā shot the Brahmāstra, which Viṣṇu countered with Pāśupatāstra and neither of the two was able to withdraw it, which went round the world. While both stood aghast not knowing what to do, Śivaliṅga appeared betwixt the two. Both the ends of the liṅga were invisible. To find the ends Brahmā went upwards and Viṣṇu downwards. Though they travelled a great distance they could not find out the ends, and, so, returned to their old seats. Immediately Śiva appeared betwixt the two and withdrew the pāśupatāstra. It was on Caturdaśī day in the month of Māgha that Śiva thus appeared. Śiva enjoined that in future Caturdaśī night every year should be observed as a holy day, which should be known as Śivarātri. (Kaṇṇaśśa Rāmāyaṇa). - [Previous: c9.2057](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.2057) - [Next: c9.2059](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.2059) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9) ## Cites (1) - [Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki) — Vālmīki, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.2058](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.2058) · Pramāṇa