Chapter 1, Am I Shiva? 3
In the universe, there was only chaos.
The origin of all things, the supreme ruler of the universe, Brahma, transformed his supreme power from nothingness into a physical form, and thus Vishnu, with three heads and four arms, was born. 2
Soon afterward, a lotus flower grew from Vishnu's navel, and from the lotus flower emerged Brahma, with five heads and four arms. 2
For countless ages, the two gods sat facing each other, until one day, Brahma developed a strong sense of self.
He said to Vishnu, who lay on his side in the chaotic universe, "I developed consciousness before you; I am the enlightenment and source of all wisdom. Vishnu, are you willing to acknowledge me as your son?" 3
At this, Vishnu slowly shook his head and smiled: "You are merely something that grew from my navel."
The two primordial gods argued endlessly, until even the void of the chaotic universe began to evolve more things, and they still could not determine who was superior.
They decided to argue while searching the universe for evidence proving their superiority over each other.
During their long wanderings, they discovered a fiery lingam that was growing larger.
The lingam was entirely fiery red, hard and thick, becoming smoother towards the top and rougher and duller towards the bottom.
This immeasurably long lingam became the wager between Vishnu and Brahma.
Brahma transformed into a swan to find the lingam's beginning, while Vishnu transformed into a wild boar to find its end.
Whoever reached their goal first would be the superior being in the universe.
However, the two gods searched for a full 1000 years without finding the lingam's beginning or end.
Brahma, with his white beard and hair, appearing calm and honest, encountered a pandanus flower along the way.
He asked the pandanus to prove he had found the lingam's beginning; if successful, the pandanus would become the divine flower representing Brahma.
So, the god and the flower returned to their starting point. Seeing Vishnu already waiting there, Brahma knew he hadn't found the lingam's end.
Brahma summoned the pandanus flower, asking it to prove its worth.
"This pandanus flower proves I've found the lingam's starting point. I am wiser than you, more worthy of worship and offerings!"
Vishnu, seeing this, had no choice but to kneel in submission.
However, at this moment, the fire lingam underwent a dramatic change, suddenly vanishing into nothingness.
A god radiating intense holy light appeared between Vishnu and Brahma.
"You're lying! You only flew to my calf; how could you possibly measure my length? You're a liar! You don't deserve any offerings!"
Seeing the sudden appearance of a third god, both Vishnu and Brahma were startled.
But they failed to notice that this god's expression was anything but calm.
He was just an ordinary college student, having barely woken up. He was about to use a lather to release the pent-up energy from the night before when an old man charged towards him like a kamikaze pilot.
Startled, his lower body went limp, and he quickly stood up. But looking down, he saw no dormitory floor, only a vast, boundless starry sky.
This was…transmigration?
After sorting through his thoughts, he realized his identity in this world: Shiva, one of the three giants of Hindu mythology.
During his school years, he had read many mythological books and had some knowledge of Hindu mythology. This old man and young man must be Brahma and Vishnu.
"Luckily, I transmigrated as Shiva. I can just breakdance and destroy the world. If I had transmigrated as the God of God, I'd be doomed," Shiva thought thankfully.
However, no sooner had Shiva finished his reflection than Vishnu and Brahma knelt down, submitting to him.
"Shiva, you possess an infinitely long lingam and boundless power. Please guide us in the right direction, and do not perform the dance of destruction."
Shiva was startled. Could these two hear his thoughts?
In Hindu mythology, Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma are the Triad of Gods. In terms of pure status, the Triads are essentially equal.
Unless a multiverse-level being like Supreme Brahma delivers a devastating attack, the Triads maintain a delicate balance of power.
Brahma wields the power of creation, Vishnu the power of protection, and Shiva the power of destruction.
Therefore, it's quite reasonable that two gods of equal rank could eavesdrop on his thoughts.
"So I am the creator god?"
"So my duty is to maintain the world."
Brahma and Vishnu suddenly understood and thanked Shiva.
Shiva was indeed the wisest of the three gods. Such a powerful god, yet willing to be on equal footing with them—how incredibly humble!
Brahma waved his hand, and in an instant, a stable world was created in the universe, where life flourished.
Brahma, with a thought, manifested his desire to adopt Vishnu as his son into two heart-born children: Daksha, the white-robed one, and Anjali, the red-robed one.
Shiva's lips twitched slightly upon seeing these two gods.
This Brahma, he's really gone mad with wanting to be a father! Unable to adopt Vishnu as a son, he resorted to asexual reproduction to create two children himself.
Who gave you the courage to be a father in Hindu mythology? Liang Jingru? Hindu mythology is full of all sorts of mad, ascetic gods and gods who betray their fathers.
Whitebeard, who ruled the seas, was killed because he adopted too many sons. A ship full of adopted sons—who knows if a couple of them will turn out to be traitors?
"I see your beard, Brahma, is quite long and white too."
Shiva's thoughts reached Brahma and Vishnu's ears again. Brahma glared at Shiva, furious.
"My son was just born, and you're already saying they'll be a burden? At least give me some face!"
"If you, Shiva, are so powerful, why don't you never have any offspring? Let's see if your lingam, capable of piercing planets, can hold back!"
However, Brahma quickly withdrew his gaze, which seemed intent on slaying the god.
He had painstakingly used his divine power to create two sons and a world; if Shiva started dancing, it would all be for nothing.
"Shiva, I created two sons to share the responsibility of iteration and renewal in the human world. My and Vishnu's divine power is too vast; we are only suitable for maintaining the overall situation, while the details should be left to the younger gods."
After Brahma's explanation, Vishnu nodded in agreement.
Vishnu and Brahma began to test the two younger gods' knowledge, ranging from the origin of the universe to the world of ants.
Shiva was completely bewildered. "I had to attend classes before I transmigrated, and now I have to attend classes again? What's the point of being a world-destroying god?"
Shiva quickly found an excuse to leave these boring people and freely explore the universe.
After all, with his divine power, he could observe everything happening in the world even from afar.
He kept his distance from Brahma and the others to avoid being overheard.
Meanwhile, facing the tests from Brahma and Vishnu, Daksha answered fluently, while Angie couldn't utter a single word.
So Brahma appointed Daksha as the lord of all beings, ruling over all things in the mortal realm and enjoying the worship and offerings of mortals.
Daksha acquired a magnificent palace in the mortal realm and, witnessed by a host of sages and cultivators, held his inauguration ceremony.
Daksha devoutly worshipped Brahma, intending to enshrine his father god as the chief deity. Suddenly, a fierce wind arose, accompanied by thunder and lightning.
Seeing this, Brahma was instantly enraged. Who dared to stop his son from offering him such deityship?