Mohini's Dance: How Vishnu Outwitted the Ash-Demon

A demon once underwent severe penance to please Lord Shiv. Shiv finally appeared before him and asked him to make a wish.

"I wish that whoever I place my right hand on is burned to ashes," said the demon.

"So be it," said Shiv.

The demon soon began to wreak havoc on Earth by placing his right hand on innocent people and burning them to ashes. He became known as the Ash-Demon. Indra and the other gods approached Lord Vishnu for help in annihilating Ash-Demon. Vishnu readily agreed.

Vishnu transformed into Mohini, who enticed Ash-Demon with her ethereal beauty. Ash-Demon asked Mohini to marry him. Mohini agreed on one condition: that they dance together. When Ash-Demon admitted he didn't know how to dance, Mohini asked him to imitate her movements. After dancing together for a while, Mohini placed her right hand on her head. Ash-Demon also put his right hand on his head. And that was the end of Ash-Demon.