Bhasmasur is Back

Published on 7th August, 2016, in Mid-day. An asura once succeeded in invoking Shiva through severe austerities and secured a boon. ‘Let all that I touch be reduced to ash,’ he said. Shiva granted the boon and the asura went about touching everything in sight: every tree, every bird, every beast, reducing all living things to ash. He then decided to test his powers on Shiva himself. Shiva, realising what he had done, ran. And the ash-demon, or Bhasmasur, chased him. Finally, Shiva sought the help of Vishnu, who tricked the demon into touching his own head. The demon did as advised, and ended up ..