Once Sage Vasistha and Sage Vishwamitra were debating the relative superiority of satsang and penance. Sage Vasistha proclaimed satsang to be superior; whereas Sage Vishwamitra said it was penance. Unable to decide, they went to the Deities. The Deities said, ‘‘Only Sheshanag (The serpent who holds the earth on its hood) is capable of answering the question.’’