During the Vedic period, both Vishnu and Shiva (as identified with Rudra) played relatively minor roles, but द्वारा the time of the Brahmanas (c. 1000-700 BC), both were gaining ascendance.[193] द्वारा the Puranic period, both deities had major sects that competed with one another for devotees.[194] Many stories developed दिखा रहा है different types of relationships between these two important deities.
Sectarian groups each presented their own preferred deity as supreme. Vishnu in his myths "becomes" Shiva.[195] The Vishnu Purana (4th c. AD) shows Vishnu awakening and becoming both Brahmā to create the...
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