🌹🌹 The Story of Bhasmasura 🌹🌹
By Lokanath Mishra
A long time ago, there lived a powerful demon named Bhasmasura. He wanted to become the strongest of all beings. For this, he decided to pray very hard to Lord Shiva, who is known for giving blessings to those who truly worship him.
So, Bhasmasura went deep into the forest and sat down for tapasya (deep meditation). He did not eat, he did not drink, he just prayed to Shiva with full concentration for many, many years.
At last, Lord Shiva appeared before him and said kindly:
✨ “Bhasmasura, I am pleased with your devotion. Tell me, what boon (wish) do you want?”
Bhasmasura bowed and said:
👉 “Lord, I want a boon that anyone whose head I touch should immediately turn into ashes.”
Shiva, being innocent and generous, agreed:
✨ “So be it.”
Now Bhasmasura had this terrifying power. But instead of using it wisely, he became arrogant. He thought to himself, “Why not test this boon on Shiva himself? If Shiva is gone, I will be the greatest!”
With this evil thought, he started chasing Lord Shiva to touch his head. Shiva ran, but the demon kept following him.
Seeing this, Lord Brahma quickly froze time for a moment so that Bhasmasura couldn’t catch Shiva. But the danger was still there—Bhasmasura would not give up so easily.
At that moment, Lord Vishnu decided to help. Vishnu took the enchanting form of a beautiful woman named Mohini. She looked so divine and graceful that no one could take their eyes off her.
When Mohini appeared before Bhasmasura, he immediately forgot about Shiva. His eyes were filled with admiration. He went to her and said:
👉 “O beautiful lady, will you marry me?”
Mohini smiled gently and said:
✨ “I will marry you, but only on one condition. You must first prove that you can dance as well as me. Whatever dance moves I make, you must copy them exactly. If you can do that, I will accept you as my husband.”
Bhasmasura, overconfident and eager, quickly agreed. “That is easy!” he thought.
So Mohini began to dance. She moved her hands, her feet, and her head gracefully. Bhasmasura, enchanted, copied her every step.
The dance became faster and faster. Mohini spun, twirled, and clapped—and Bhasmasura did the same.
Then, very cleverly, Mohini raised her right hand and placed it on her own head. Without thinking, Bhasmasura copied her.
The moment his hand touched his head, the boon of Shiva worked—🔥 and instantly, Bhasmasura turned into a pile of ashes!
Everyone was relieved. Lord Shiva was safe, and the world was saved from the terrible power of Bhasmasura.
Thus, Lord Vishnu, in the form of Mohini, used wisdom and cleverness to defeat the demon who misused his power.
The Spiritual Significance of Vamana Ekadashi : A Celebration of Humility and Cosmic Order