OM NAMAH SHIVAYA
ॐ नमः शिवाय
I BOW TO LORD SHIVA
High up in the Himalayan mountains there lived an evil rakshasa (demon) named Bhasmasura. Bhasmasura wished to become very powerful. He wanted the power not to do any good or help others. He wanted power so that he could frighten everyone - the humans and the devas. He wanted power to become the most feared and most formidable of all the rakshasas.
Bhasmasura knew that if he meditated and prayed to Lord Shiva, the Lord would certainly listen to his prayer and grant him his wish. The Lord God listens to all our prayers. God being kind, loving and most generous not only hears our prayers but answers them too. Sometimes we might have to wait a while till our prayers are answered but there is never a doubt that he will finally grant us our wish.
Lord Shiva is known to be the easiest deity to please. All the devas, asuras and rakshasas would pray to him in order to get their wishes fulfilled. Shiva would be so happy with their devotion that he would readily grant them their heart’s desire.
Bhasmasura decided that he would meditate and pray to Lord Shiva. Accordingly, he found a quiet place in the mountain and sat on the ground with his legs crossed in the lotus position. Shutting his eyes, he went into deep meditation. Bhasmasura’s attention was now firmly fixed upon Lord Shiva. He continued his penance for several years not once allowing his attention to waver from the Lord.
As he had expected Lord Shiva, happy with Bhasmasura’s devotion, appeared before him.
Lord Shiva said, “Bhasmasura, I am pleased with your steadfast meditation and your loyalty to me. You may ask for any boon (blessing) and I will grant it to you.”
Bhasmasura was waiting for just this opportunity. Quickly falling at the Lord’s feet he said, “Lord, I ask for just one boon from you. Please grant that whatever I touch with my right hand turns into ash.”
The crafty rakshasa had asked for the boon with the intention of destroying anything and everything that was more powerful than him.
The Lord had promised the rakshasa the gift of a boon. Though the boon that Bhasmasura had requested was indeed a very dangerous power, Lord Shiva had no alternative but to grant it. A promise once made could not be broken.
Lord Shiva raised his hand above Bhasmasura’s head and blessed him with the boon and said, “Bhasmasura from this moment forth whatever you touch with your right hand will turn to ash.” The Lord continued by advising the rakshasa, “Remember always that any power must be used with great caution, more so destructive powers. Be prudent in using this great boon that I have granted you.”
Bhasmasura was ecstatic. All his penance had finally fructified. With this boon he would now be the most powerful entity in the universe. He would now with just one hand be capable of destroying all his enemies. He was in a hurry to test the effectiveness of this new power he had just received.
Looking directly at Lord Shiva who had just granted him this power he thought, “I will test this boon on Lord Shiva. Once he has been destroyed, I will be more powerful than all the devas.”
The ungrateful rakshasa immediately rushed forward towards Lord Shiva. There was a wicked gleam in his eye as he raised his right forefinger to reach out and touch Lord Shiva. He was intent on turning the Lord into ash. Bhasmasura’s only thought was, “Lord Shiva is far more powerful than me. But now I can effortlessly eliminate him.”
Lord Shiva, seeing Bhasmasura lunge towards him, was astonished that the rakshasa would make such a foolish attempt. Lord Shiva was quicker than Bhasmasura and he escaped. But the evil Bhasmasura was relentless. He kept following Lord Shiva wherever he went. This became quite a nuisance. When Lord Shiva reached the heavenly abode of Lord Vishnu, he shared his problem with Lord Vishnu. He said, “Lord, I granted a boon to Bhasmasura by which anything he touched with his right hand would turn to ash. Since then, the rakshasa has been chasing me determined to touch me and turn me to ash. Could you please suggest a solution to my problem?”
Lord Vishnu smiled, amused at Lord Shiva’s predicament. He said, “Leave it to me. I assure you that the wicked rakshasa, Bhasmasura, will no longer bother you.”
There was brilliant glow of rainbow-colored lights in the heavens. Then in a flash Lord Vishnu had transformed himself into a most beautiful woman – Mohini. She was so exquisite to look at that Bhasmasura became totally besotted with her the moment he set eyes on her. All other thoughts completely disappeared from his mind. He was mesmerized by Mohini. Thoughts of chasing Lord Shiva were completely forgotten. Besides being divinely alluring in her beauty, Mohini was also a graceful and accomplished dancer. Seeing her dance Bhasmasura fell even more deeply in love with her. He wanted to marry her and immediately proposed to her.
Very demurely Mohini replied, “I will certainly marry you if you can match or better my dance steps. Dance is my passion and I wish to marry only a man who shares my passion.”
Bhasmasura over-confident of his capabilities agreed with alacrity. He said, “Beautiful maiden I will take up any challenge to win your hand. Begin your dance and I will match you step for step.”
Mohini resumed her dance and Bhasmasura followed every move of hers perfectly. They kept on dancing. Hours turned to days. Both Bhasmasura and Mohini continued to move with grace and rhythm. It was indeed a spectacular performance. As Mohini moved her body, feet and arms Bhasmasura skillfully copied each move. He matched her every gesture and expression. Bhasmasura watched Mohini so intently and he became completely engrossed in the dance. It was then that Mohini gracefully did
a step in which she touched her head with her right forefinger. Bhasmasura still concentrating on copying Mohini’s moves also took his right hand and tapped his head with his forefinger. In seconds Bhasmasura had turned to ash.
That marked the end of the evil rakshasa who had thought he could destroy the Lord.
LIFE LESSONS
1. God is kind and giving. He will certainly answer your prayers. However, be careful of what you ask for because it may not always be the best for you.
2. We have all received our own special gifts from God but unlike Bhasmasura we must not use these gifts selfishly.
3. Let us like Lord Shiva learn to be generous and give to others as much as we can.
4. All the blessings that we receive are from God. It is important that we remember to say, “Thank you God for all the blessings we have received.”
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