The Tale of Bhasmasura: The Demon Consumed by His Own Power

In the days of yore, when gods and demons roamed freely, there was a demon named Bhasmasura, who was cunning, ambitious, and driven by an insatiable thirst for power. Eager to become invincible, he sought out the favor of Lord Shiva, who was known to bless even demons if they proved their devotion. Bhasmasura’s plan was simple but sinister: gain the power to destroy anyone who opposed him, including the gods themselves.

Bhasmasura retreated to a remote mountain and began performing intense austerities to earn Lord Shiva’s blessing. His devotion was fierce and unwavering, and he offered sacrifices, chanting Shiva’s name day and night. His determination did not go unnoticed, and finally, Shiva appeared before him, impressed by the demon’s unwavering dedication.

“O Bhasmasura,” Shiva said, “your devotion has pleased me. Ask for any boon, and I shall grant it.”

The demon’s eyes lit up with wicked intent. He quickly asked, “Grant me the power that by simply touching anyone’s head, I can turn them instantly to ash.”

Shiva, bound by his promise, granted the boon. Bhasmasura could now turn any creature to ash with a mere touch on the head. The moment he received the boon, however, his ambition grew even darker. He thought to himself, “If I can defeat Shiva himself, then none will be able to stand against me.”

Grinning maliciously, he turned toward Shiva, his hand raised to test the deadly power on the very god who had blessed him. Realizing Bhasmasura’s treacherous plan, Shiva quickly fled, knowing even he could not withstand the destructive power he had bestowed upon the demon.

As Bhasmasura chased Shiva across the heavens and earth, the universe watched in terror. Desperate to save Shiva and restore cosmic order, the gods turned to Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, for help. With his ever-present wisdom and wit, Vishnu devised a plan to defeat Bhasmasura.

Taking on the enchanting form of Mohini, a celestial beauty of unparalleled grace, Vishnu appeared before Bhasmasura. Bhasmasura, instantly captivated by Mohini’s beauty, forgot his chase and halted in awe. Mohini’s charm and elegance bewitched him, and he stood transfixed, utterly mesmerized.

“Greetings, mighty one,” Mohini said with a sweet smile. “You seem powerful indeed. But such strength should be matched by grace and skill. Can you prove to me that you are worthy of such admiration?”

Eager to impress the enchanting Mohini, Bhasmasura readily agreed. Mohini began dancing gracefully, moving in intricate steps, her form captivating and mysterious. She encouraged Bhasmasura to join her in the dance, mimicking her every move. As he followed her graceful gestures, he became more entranced, wanting nothing more than to win her admiration.

Slowly, Mohini raised her hand to her head as part of a dance move. Enthralled, Bhasmasura copied her movements, unknowingly raising his hand to his own head. The moment his hand touched his head, the boon activated, and Bhasmasura was instantly reduced to ash, consumed by the very power he had sought to wield over others.

The universe breathed a sigh of relief. Vishnu’s wisdom and charm had saved Shiva, and the dangerous power was finally extinguished. With Bhasmasura’s end, peace was restored, and the balance of good and evil was once again preserved.

Moral of the Tale: Arrogance and unchecked ambition can lead to one’s own destruction. Power without restraint is dangerous, and those who seek to harm others may end up falling victim to their own schemes. True wisdom lies in humility and self-control, for only then can power be wielded wisely.