When Bhasmasura Received Shiva's Boon

In ancient times, there was an asura named Bhasmasura. He wanted to rule the entire world. To accomplish this purpose, he undertook severe penance to Shiva. At last, Bholenath was pleased by his many years of deep penance and appeared before him.

Shiva asked him to request a boon. Bhasmasura then asked for the boon of immortality. Since granting immortality was against the laws of creation, Lord Shankara refused his request. Bhasmasura then changed his request and asked for the boon that anyone upon whose head he placed his hand would be reduced to ashes.

Shiva granted him this boon. Bhasmasura then ran after Shiva, intending to reduce Shiva himself to ashes. Somehow saving his life, Bholenath Shankara went to Lord Vishnu for refuge and told him the whole matter. Lord Vishnu then assumed the form of Mohini to bring about Bhasmasura's end.

While Bhasmasura was wandering from place to place looking for Shiva so that he could reduce him to ashes, Mohini appeared near him. Enchanted by her beauty, Bhasmasura stopped there and proposed marriage to Mohini. Mohini replied that she would marry only a young man who was as skilled in dance as she was.

Bhasmasura did not know how to dance, so he asked Mohini to help him with this task. Mohini immediately agreed. While teaching him to dance, Mohini placed her hand upon her own head. Imitating her, Bhasmasura forgot Shiva's boon, placed his own hand upon his head, and reduced himself to ashes. In this way, with Lord Vishnu's help, Bholenath's grave problem was solved. The cave in which Lord Mahadeva hid to escape Bhasmasura is known as Guptadham.