Mohini Avatar of Lord Vishnu

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Shiva, who is easily pleased, once granted a boon to the demon

Bhasmasura, bestowing on him the power to reduce to ashes anyone

whom he touched on the head. The evil demon decided to test the

effect of the boon on Shiva himself. Shiva panicked and turned to

Lord Vishnu for help and protection. After chastising Shiva for

being overly generous with his boons, Lord Vishnu assumed the form

of the beautiful and bewitching Mohini. The demon was totally

captivated by Mohini's sexuality and forgot about Shiva. He desired

nothing but marrying Mohini. Mohini agreed on condition that

Bhasmasura copy her dance steps. In the ensuing competition between

the two, Mohini placed her hands on her head. The demon did

likewise, thus reducing himself to ashes.

 

The Mohini-Attam is a traditional dance form that evolved from the

narration of how Mohini uses her charm to save Shiva from Bhasmasur.

The exponents of this dance form now include a large number of

mythological tales in their repertoire.

 

Lord Shiva was totally enamoured of Mohini and allowed her to seduce

him. As a result of their union Mohini (LORD VISHNU) gave birth to a

child, known as Swami Ayyappa (or Hariharaputra, a name derived from

other names of Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara)). Shiva and Vishnu

left the baby in a forest and return to their heavenly abode. The

childless King of Pandalam, who was out hunting, spotted the baby

lying helpless without a guardian. He accepted the baby as a gift

from the Heavens. There are many tales about Lord Ayyappan and he

has a large following in the southern part of India.

 

The above story clearly demonstrates the Illusory energy of Lord

Vishnu, and how even Lord Siva could not resist the Mohini form

assumed by Lord Vishnu. In Vaikuntha, Lord Vishnu resides eternally

as Lord Krishna in the two handed form, while the form of Lord

Vishnu is four handed. Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead,

can take any form, and test his devotees. Lord Siva was granted a

union with Mohini because of his devotion to Krishna, and this was

the highest pleasure of being the father of the child of Mohini(Lord

Vishnu) which could have been granted to any being on earth. There

is always a competition to serve Lord Krishna. Everyone wants to

associate with the Lord Sri Krishna. As a servant one gets a chance

to get closer to Krishna. One should always try to serve the

servants of Krishna, in order to be blessed to get closer to

Krishna,and among the most kind and benevolent devotees of Krishna

is Lord Siva, who is a Param Vaishnava, and is always acting out the

orders of Sri Krishna in many ways which bewilder even the most

intelligent scholars. It is said that if someone can get you even

more closer to Krishna, it is Radharani. Radharani is the one who

even blessed Lord Siva to get close to Krishna (by her

Katakshadrishti - side glances), when he appeared in Vrindavan.

Those who remember Radharani with devotion, and chant harinaam, will

surely get close to Krishna, such is the causeless mercy of Srimati

Radharani.

Prabhu Nityananda also blesses devotees who appeal for his mercy and

helps them get near Krishna. In fact, Siva is one of Prabhu

Nityananda's expansions, because in the Sankarsana form of Adisesha

(who is Prabhu Nityananda himself),we find Lord Siva's eleven rudra

incarnations.Therefore the devotees of Lord Siva also get to see

Krishna eventually, by the mercy of their worshippable deity - Lord

Siva.The consistency of spiritual forms is impeccable. Although

different in form, essentially they are united.