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How can these type of questions be answered?

One can generate infinite number of questions regarding why some xyz deity did only a particular role in particular abc story ?

Even though let's try to answer this question relatively.

Shaivites may say that even Lord Vishnu wasn't able to consume poison so it was necessary for Lord Shankara to consume it. Vaishnavs may claim that Shiva was able to consume poison only due to grace of Lord Vishnu.

However let's look this story from Vedic Perspective.

Vedic Samhitas (Taittariya and Vajasena) samhita describes Lord Rudra as Nilagriva in various places. For eg. In Taittariya Samhita 4.5.1:

Namo Astu Nilagrivaya Sahasrakshya
Salutations to the blue-necked one and to the one having 1000 eyes (ie. All seeing)

Nilagriva means blue necked one.

As Vedic Samhitas are eternal, so it becomes necessary that some events make the neck of Lord Rudra blue.

So, to respect the Vedic statements Lord Shankara consumed the poison and made his neck blue thus being Nilakantha/Nilagriva. So, Lord Vishnu didn't drank because it was just like pre-ordained event at that time.

In Response to @Krishnas answer Rudra being Mahadeva, Devadeva etc.. only after performing Sarvamedha Yajna.

The context of the verse should only be taken in relative perspective because it contradicts with Shruti passages if taken in absolute perspective.

This chapter of Satapatha Brahmana of YajurVeda clearly gives story of birth of Lord Rudra from Brahma. Brahma just after the birth itself clearly states:

You are Mahadeva.
You are Ishana.

So, in the above chapter of Ashtamurti Manifestation of Rudras he is Mahadeva(the great God), Ishana(the Ruler) from his birth. So, there is no meaning of saying he became only after performing Yajnas.

It also contradicts Shruti passage of Taittariya Aranyaka[10.21] which calls Lord Shiva as "Ishwara SarvaBhutanam" ie. Lord of All Time. As he is Ishwara of SarvaBhuta (All time) so there is no meaning of saying he became only after doing something.

So, it becomes clear that Mahabharat passage is actually stating Mahadeva is the soul of Gods, as it says "Atmanamhavisyam" ie. Giving self as oblation. ie. That Mahabharata passage is actually explaining the Shruti passage of Svestasvatara Upanishad like:

He, the omniscient Rudra, the creator of the gods and the bestower of their powers, the support of the universe, He who, in the beginning, gave birth to Hiranyagarbha−may He endow us with clear intellect! [3.4]

So, it is actually explaining How Lord Shiva created Gods, became self of them by giving oblation of his own self. As the Puranas state "This whole world is the transmutation of Yajna." So that verse is actually explaining how the oblation of self of Mahadeva became self of Gods ie. Devadeva or God of Gods.

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