It is said that Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna always greeted each other with the greatest respect, each declaring himself the devotee of the other and never omitting to call the other ‘Lord.’ Then one day the great sage Narada, amused at this, addressed them both and said, ‘My Lords, I implore you both, please make clear to the world who is truly the devotee of the other.’

Then Lord Shiva declared that in every manifestation he had ever taken he had always played the role of a devotee to Lord Krishna. Therefore, he said, “There can be no greater devotee to Lord Krishna than I.”

And Lord Krishna replied, “As I fulfil the wishes of my devotees, I am the devotee of all my devotees. If you are my devotee, Lord Shiva, I can be none other than your greatest devotee.”

Sage Narada heard this with tears in his eyes, and bowed in reverence to both gods. Thus, although Lord Shiva is known as the god of the gods, Lord Krishna is known as the devotee of the devotees.