The Tale of Bhasmasura: Greed, Power, and Divine Justice

Once upon a time, there was a greedy demon named Bhasmasura. He wanted immense power and decided to worship Lord Shiva to get it. Each day, he collected ashes from funeral pyres and offered them to Shiva. Because of this, people started calling him Bhasmasura, which means the demon of ashes.

Shiva, seeing Bhasmasura’s devotion, decided to grant him a boon. He appeared before Bhasmasura and said, 'Ask for any boon.'

Bhasmasura, with a wicked grin, said, 'Lord, I want the power that if I touch anybody's head, that person should turn to ashes.'

Shiva, bound by his nature, granted the boon. Bhasmasura was overjoyed. He felt invincible and became arrogant. The gods were worried about the chaos he could cause.

Feeling powerful, Bhasmasura decided to test his boon on Shiva himself. He approached Shiva and said, 'I will test this power on you first.'

Shiva tried to reason with him. 'This power is dangerous. Use it wisely,' he said, but Bhasmasura was deaf to his words. He had evil thoughts about Devi Parvati also and wanted to get rid of Shiva.

Realizing that Bhasmasura wouldn’t listen, Shiva pretended to flee. Bhasmasura chased him with wicked intent. The gods watched, helpless, as Shiva ran.

Lord Vishnu, seeing the danger, decided to help. He couldn’t confront Bhasmasura directly because of Shiva’s boon. So, Vishnu transformed into Mohini, the beautiful enchantress.

As Bhasmasura chased Shiva, he suddenly saw Mohini. He stopped, captivated by her beauty. 'Who are you?' he asked, forgetting about Shiva.

'I am Mohini,' she said with a sweet smile. 'Why do you chase Shiva? He is too powerful for you.'

Bhasmasura, distracted and intrigued, said, 'Show me your talent then, if you are so great.'

Mohini began to dance. Her movements were graceful and mesmerizing. Bhasmasura, completely enchanted, started to imitate her dance.

As they danced, Mohini placed her hand on her head. Bhasmasura, lost in the dance, did the same. The moment he touched his head, flames erupted from his body. He burned to ashes, destroyed by his own greed.

The gods sighed in relief. Shiva and Parvati watched from afar, grateful for Vishnu’s clever intervention. The tale of Bhasmasura became a lesson for all.

It taught that selfish desires lead to downfall. Even the most powerful respect their promises. Evil intentions harm the doer. Divine wisdom protects the righteous. Being ungrateful brings severe consequences.

And so, the story of Bhasmasura lived on, reminding everyone of the dangers of greed and also the power of divine justice.

Knowledge Bank

Is Māyāvāda Itself an Illusion?

मायावादम् असच्छास्त्रं प्रच्छन्नं बौद्धम् उच्यते मयैव विहितं देवि कलौ ब्राह्मण-मूर्तिना (Padma Purāṇa, Uttara-khaṇḍa 43.6) - According to the Padma Purāṇa, Māyāvāda, which posits that the world is an illusion, is itself considered deceptive or misleading, labeled as 'hidden Buddhism'. This philosophy diverges from traditional Vedic teachings by negating the personal aspect of divinity and considering the material world as merely illusory. Engaging with such doctrines in the Kali Yuga can pose a challenge to one's spiritual path, as it promotes detachment from the material realm without recognizing the underlying reality of the divine. It is essential to approach this philosophy with discernment, embracing its contemplative insights but not losing sight of the essence of Vedic wisdom. Recognize that while Māyāvāda encourages seeing beyond material existence, it should not lead to neglecting the personal and spiritual growth offered by understanding and participating in the divine creation. Balance between the spiritual and material realms is crucial for true enlightenment.

Who are the parents of Balarama?

Balarama's father was Vasudeva. Originally, Balarama was in Devaki's womb. The embryo was then transplanted into the womb of Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva, for fear that Kamsa might destroy him. Devaki is Balarama's biological mother, and Rohini is his surrogate mother.