Asura · Folk · South India

Bhasmasura

Also called: Bhasmasur, the ash demon

A demon who wins from Shiva the power to burn to ash whoever he touches on the head, and turns it on the giver. Vishnu as Mohini dances him into copying her hand-on-head pose and he burns himself. Wikipedia notes the character belongs to regional literature rather than the Puranas; the episode is a staple of Yakshagana, Kathakali and several folk dances.

boon disguise hubris

Sources: Bhasmasura — Wikipedia; Bhasmasura — Mythlok; Bhasmasur is back — Devdutt Pattanaik · see Bhasmasura's web

Relations 3

Bhasmasura received a boon from

Shiva (God) Folk · Mohini and the demon who burned himself
Power to burn to ash whoever he touches on the head (regional telling).
Shiva (God) Folk · The demon who could burn with a touch
The ash-touch boon; regional literature, not in the Puranas.

Bhasmasura slain by

Mohini (Form) Folk · Mohini and the demon who burned himself
By the dance: the demon copies her hand-on-head pose.

Stories 4

The Puranas played till dawn
Folk tale · as the demon of a stock prasanga · 1 telling
Mohini and the demon who burned himself
Folk tale · as the demon (regional telling) · 2 tellings
The birth of Ayyappa
Temple legend · as occasion for Mohini (popular splice) · 4 tellings
The demon who could burn with a touch
Folk tale · as the popular demon · 2 tellings

Cited

Bhasmasura — Wikipedia Encyclopedia
Bhasmasura — Mythlok Popular retelling
Bhasmasur is back — Devdutt Pattanaik Popular retelling