Bhasmasura and Mohini

Dadi: "Beta Guddu, do you know what happens when someone misuses a gift given with love?"

Guddu: "They get in trouble?"

Dadi: "Sometimes they get exactly what they wished for - and that turns out to be their undoing. Let me tell you about a demon who asked for the most dangerous power in the world."

Guddu: "Tell me!"

Dadi: "Long ago, there was a demon named Bhasmasura. He went to the Himalayas and performed the most severe penance for years. He stood on one foot, barely ate, and chanted prayers to Lord Shiva."

Guddu: "Why Shiva?"

Dadi: "Because Shiva is known for granting wishes quickly. He's called Bholenath - the innocent one - because he gives boons without thinking much about the consequences."

Guddu: "What did Bhasmasura ask for?"

Dadi: "He asked for the deadliest power imaginable: "Grant me that whoever I touch with my right hand will immediately turn to ashes.""

Guddu: "That's a terrible power!"

Dadi: "Yes, but Shiva, true to his nature, granted the boon. "So be it," he said. And immediately, Bhasmasura's hand became a weapon of destruction."

Guddu: "What happened next?"

Dadi: "Here's where the story gets dark, beta. The very first thing Bhasmasura wanted to do was test his new power - on Shiva himself!"

Guddu: "On the god who gave him the gift?!"

Dadi: "Exactly! He raised his hand and moved toward Shiva, wanting to touch him and turn the great god into ashes."

Guddu: "Why would anyone do that?"

Dadi: "Bhasmasura was evil, beta. He wanted to be the most powerful being in existence. If he could destroy Shiva, who could stop him?"

Guddu: "What did Shiva do?"

Dadi: "Something unexpected - he ran! The mighty Lord Shiva fled across mountains, valleys, rivers, and forests with Bhasmasura chasing him."

Guddu: "Shiva ran away?"

Dadi: "Sometimes the wisest thing to do is retreat from a danger you accidentally created. Shiva fled to Lord Vishnu for help."

Guddu: "How could Vishnu help?"

Dadi: "Vishnu came up with a clever plan. He transformed himself into Mohini - the most beautiful woman in the three worlds. She appeared on the path where Bhasmasura was running."

Guddu: "What happened when Bhasmasura saw her?"

Dadi: "He completely forgot about Shiva! His desire to chase and destroy vanished. All he could think about was this beautiful woman. He begged her to marry him."

Guddu: "Did she agree?"

Dadi: "Mohini said, "I will only marry a man who promises to have no other wife. Prove your sincerity by dancing with me and matching my every move.""

Guddu: "Dancing?"

Dadi: "Yes! Bhasmasura, blinded by desire, agreed. Mohini began to dance gracefully, and Bhasmasura copied every gesture. Whatever she did, he did."

Guddu: "I think I know what's coming..."

Dadi: "*smiles* You're clever! During the dance, Mohini gracefully placed her hand on her own head. Without thinking, Bhasmasura did the same thing - he touched his own head with his deadly right hand."

Guddu: "He turned himself to ashes!"

Dadi: "In an instant, the demon who had chased the lord of the universe was nothing but a pile of dust. His own power had destroyed him."

Guddu: "That serves him right!"

Dadi: "In India, there's a saying: "Like the boon given to Bhasmasura." It means when your own actions turn against you."

Guddu: "What does this story teach us, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Many things! First, never betray those who help you - Bhasmasura received a gift from Shiva and immediately tried to use it against him. This ingratitude led to his doom. Second, misused power destroys the user - the very weapon he wanted to use on others killed him. Third, desire blinds us - Bhasmasura forgot his mission the moment he saw something he wanted. Fourth, cleverness defeats brute force - Mohini didn't fight Bhasmasura; she simply outsmarted him."

Guddu: "So his own greed killed him?"

Dadi: "Exactly. He wanted power without wisdom, strength without ethics, gifts without gratitude. The universe has a way of balancing these things, beta. Those who misuse their abilities often find those same abilities turning against them."

Guddu: "I'll be careful with any gifts I receive!"

Dadi: "Good! And remember - the greatest power is self-control. Bhasmasura could turn others to ash, but he couldn't control his own greed and desire. That's what made him weak enough to be tricked."