At Arunachala, Shiva Shines forth as Yogi Supreme. He is the reflection of pure conciousness which iis never going to end and didn’t have a begining. The fact is pure consciousness doesn’t have a beginning and neither do have a end . However both the intellectual and the wise try to find things which are finite having beginning and end. So they also put the label of beginning and end into infinite too, due to there wrong thought process .
The Adwaita school of thought in last paragraph is beautifully reflected in a story which is related to the origin of Arunachala.
From the supreme effulgence which is the eternal Shiva [ the pure consciousness] , Brahma and Narayan are born by his desire. Both of them manifested spontaneously. Once out of egoism, both have an argument and they started to fight.Seeing the terrible rage both are involved the lord reflected why should these two would be involved in a terrible fight on which one is the greater. If I do not reveal myself immediately to both and stop there fight the world will cease to exist. These two who have lost there senses , out of anger , is not realising the Vedic truth that, I as a pure consciousness of everything. The fight can be referred as a symbolic fight between Intellect ( Brahma) and the Wise ( Vishnu) on who is superior. However both the intellect and the wiseness have arises from pure consciousness and subsides into them , so the pure consciousness which is Shiva Transcends everything. Each creature, consider superior then other creatures out of his ego . The ignorant who cannot realise the strength of other , or the equality will suffer defeat and fall. I shall reveal myself in definite form somewhere in the world , that even the mean human being can attain the moment he thinks about me.
Having so decided the eternal siva manifested as a column of fire before them. The Column covers all worlds and its limit cannot be perceived .Blinded by the sight both of them stood still. The manifestation of pure consciousness made both the intellect and the wiseness still. They became unnerved on seeing that blazing column of effulgence. Then there arose a voice in the air : Children , Why do you fight ? Siva alone know your strength and weakness. The form of Sambhu has appeared now before you as a column of effulgence . He who founds the beginning and end is the greater then the two ..
Upon hearing these Vishnu take a form of bore, and start digging the mud to find the lower end of column of fire . But millions of year passed he could not still find the lower end of the column . He was very discouraged and dispared . The Vishnu whose intelligence is immeasurable, sought refuge in Shiva , thinking that Shiva is the source of all devas and the essence of Vedas and other scriptures.So he surrendered of Shiva and then by the grace of Lord ,he again regained in the surface of earth.
Now , the Brahma (or intellect ) who was taken the shape of swan , reached in the heights, to find the upper end of the column of fire. However his effort was futile , and the siddhas exclaimed that these was mere ignorance to try to find the upper end of infinite consciousness. As pure consciousness is beginingless and endless. Brahma or Intellect was discouraged , and he then surrender to Shiva. .With his all compassion , Shiva blessed both of them and there egos were subdued and they understood the true nature of infinite consciousness by the form of Arunachala.
Sri Joydip Ashram 