The historic text from Hindu scriptures relate a story about Ketkai flowers which are known Screw pine, umbrella tree, Cladera Bush, Pandanus in English and as Keura, kewadaa plant in Hindi. Its essence is called kewada. There are more than one versions relating to Ketkai flowers. These have been presented as separate stories.
Ketkai seated proudly on Shiva's head. Her fragrance filled the space around, pleasing the mighty divinity who sat with His eyes closed in deep meditation. Adoring Shiva's head, she felted contended with her beauty, her essence and her existence.
Suddenly, there came a noise from far cosmos and Shiva stood up from his meditation. He heard the duel for supremacy between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma and decided to intervene.
Shiva like other Hindu Gods, holds plurality of forms. He manifested himself as an infinite column of divine light (known as Jyothirlinga or Shivalinga) which was unknown to the universe until them. While Shiva manifested himself, the Ketkai flower descended from Shiva's head and set wandering around his new manifestation.
The divine voice of Shiva against the Linga form reverated and asked Vishnu and Brahma to find either apex or end (Adi or Anth) of the Linga to prove their supremacy over each other.
Hearing this, Lord Vishnu guised as a boar and Lord Brahma guised as a swan. Thus they began their journey to find the limits in opposite direction. While the swan headed northwards, the boar road downwards. They traversed the stretch briskly.
Years passed by. The two Gods kept traversing, until one day Lord Vishnu realized that the Linga is a superform of Shiva with no apex and end to its existence. He decided to contend himself with his belief and returned to place where they started from.
Lord Brahma on the other lateral saw the Ketaki flower wandering around. He knew that the flower adored Shiva's head (human form) and decided to take it to testify his claim.
When Vishnu and Brahma met at the place they started, they called upon Shiva to declare supremacy.
Lord Vishnu humbled and said, 'O Shiva! I learn that there is no apex or end to your existence! Your are endless and infinite!'
Lord Brahma said, 'O Shiva! I found the origin of your Linga form. I took this flower of glory and fragrance from there!'
Lord Brahma asked the Ketaki flower to testify his claim, the flower in its charm and innocence said, 'I always glorify Shiva's head!'
Hearing the ketkai flower, Shiva fumed. He shouted, 'Ketkai ! My Linga form has no head which you are adore. While I took the Linga form, you have been waning in empty space around me. You are arrogant about your charm, essence and the position you have. I l leave yo with the beauty and fragrance the Creator of this Universe (Brahma) gave you, but take the position of adoration I gave you on my head. You will never make glory to any Gods!'
The Ketkai repented for her words. From day onwards, the ketkai flower lost its spiritual significance. Its use as floral offering to Gods is forbidden.
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