During the Vedic period, both Vishnu and Shiva (as identified with Rudra) played relatively minor roles, but by the time of the Brahmanas (c. 1000-700 BC), both were gaining ascendance.[193] By the Puranic period, both deities had major sects that competed with one another for devotees.[194] Many stories developed showing 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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