Once all vegetables in the world entered into a dispute about which of them was the greatest. Unable to come to an agreement they prayed to Lord Brahma, Lord Shri Maha Vishnu and Lord Maheshvara to intercede and decide. Responding to their prayers, the three Gods came down to earth. They heard every vegetable with all symapthy, patience and understanding that the sensitive issue deserved. Finally, they decided that a particular vegetable was greatest. What is that? The humble onion!

All other vegetables were astounded. Each of them possessed admirable qualities. How could these Gods decide that onion was greatest? Sensing their grievance, the Gods spoke up. They said, ‘There is no doubt that all of you possess commendable qualities. But onion has one additional and special trait, which none other of you can boast of. That is: to retain the same smell unchanged through out life! That is why we have decided in its favour. Be like the onion. Whether you are happy or unhappy, comfortable or suffering, never abandon your trait of being devoted to God. This explanation satisfied all the aggrieved vegetables.

Softly stroking his beard, Brahma wished the winner, As long as I exist, may you possess a beard like me. If you look closely at the onion you will find a thin beard adorning it. Lord Vishnu blessed the onion, Cut vertically, you will display one of my insignia, the Shankha (conch, shell). Cut horizontally you will reveal another of insignia, the chakra (disk). Lord Shiva blessed it, I will give you a guarantee. Anyone trying to harm you is condemned to shed tears. This too is well within the experience of everybody! (Tapovanam, pp. 291-292)