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In a quest for ultimate power, the demon Bhasmasura receives a boon from Lord Shiva, but his relentless pursuit of touching the deity leads to his own downfall.
Characters in the story:
Bhasmasura: Bhasmasura is a figure from Hindu scriptures who was granted a powerful boon by Lord Shiva, which allowed him to turn anyone to ashes by simply touching their head. However, Bhasmasura’s desire to test his powers led to his own downfall.
Lord Vishnu: Lord Vishnu is one of the three major deities in Hinduism, known as the preserver of the universe and the protector of dharma (righteousness). He is often depicted with four arms holding a conch shell, a discus, a mace, and a lotus flower.
Lord Shiva: Lord Shiva holds significant prominence in Hinduism as a prominent deity, revered for his role as the vanquisher of malevolence and the catalyst of universal change. Depicted in various forms, he is often portrayed as a tranquil ascetic engaged in deep meditation or as the divine dancer, adorned with a third eye, an entwined serpent around his neck, and a trident grasped firmly in his hand.
Mohini: Mohini is a female avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, known for her enchanting beauty and her ability to mesmerize and captivate all who gaze upon her. She is often depicted as the bringer of good fortune and is revered for her role in preserving the universe.
Once upon a time, there existed a fearsome demon named Bhasmasura, who held unwavering devotion towards Lord Shiva, the supreme deity of Hinduism. Driven by a burning desire to enhance his powers, Bhasmasura embarked on intense meditation to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Pleased by his unwavering dedication, Lord Shiva decided to grant him a boon. This divine gift bestowed upon Bhasmasura the ability to reduce anyone to ashes with a single touch of his hand.
Ecstatic with his newfound abilities, Bhasmasura became consumed with the urge to test them immediately. His ultimate goal was to lay his hand upon Lord Shiva, firmly believing that by doing so, he would transform the deity into ashes and rise as the supreme being in the universe. However, Lord Shiva, being the all-knowing deity that he is, foresaw Bhasmasura’s treacherous intentions and swiftly fled from his grasp.
Undeterred by the challenges, Bhasmasura relentlessly pursued Lord Shiva across the world, fueled by an unwavering determination to touch him and thereby attain invincibility. Despite his relentless efforts, Bhasmasura failed to catch Lord Shiva, growing increasingly frustrated and infuriated. Nevertheless, he refused to yield or abandon his quest.
Finally, Bhasmasura arrived in the sacred city of Varanasi, where Lord Shiva had sought refuge in the form of a bull. Identifying Lord Shiva’s new guise, Bhasmasura made an attempt to touch him with his hand. However, Lord Shiva eluded him once more. Recognizing the imminent danger that Bhasmasura posed to the world, the gods implored Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, to intervene and save them from the impending catastrophe.
In response to the gods’ plea, Lord Vishnu assumed the guise of Mohini, a mesmerizingly beautiful woman. Dressed in feminine allure, Mohini appeared before Bhasmasura and enchanted him with her irresistible charm. Bhasmasura, captivated by her allure, expressed his desire to marry her. Mohini agreed but set a condition—Bhasmasura had to participate in a dance, and he would mirror her every move.
As Mohini danced with fervor, Bhasmasura replicated her steps. At one particular moment, Mohini placed her hand upon her own head. Blinded by his eagerness to imitate her, Bhasmasura also placed his hand upon his own head, inadvertently touching himself and thereby triggering his own demise. Instantly, Bhasmasura turned into ashes, defeated by his own ill-conceived actions.
Thus, assuming the form of Mohini, Lord Vishnu successfully vanquished Bhasmasura, rescuing the world from his destructive powers. The dance between Mohini and Bhasmasura serves as a potent metaphor for the illusory nature of desire and the power it holds to lead individuals astray, causing them to lose sight of what truly matters and ultimately meet their downfall. In this tale, Bhasmasura’s insatiable thirst for power and his uncontrolled desire for Mohini ultimately resulted in his own destruction.
