Known as an avatar of Lord Vishnu, one of the main Deities in Hinduism, Mohini is a beautiful and attractive figure in Hindu mythology. The Hindu epic Mahabharata and the Puranas, which are old Hindu writings that tell tales of gods, goddesses, and heroes, both relate to the story of Mohini.
A Story about Vishnu's Mohini avatar
Hindu mythology states that the gods (devas) and demons (asuras) worked together during a universe event known as the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) to churn the ocean and obtain the drink of immortality (amrita). But when the drink came out, there was a fight over who was supposed to have it.
Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini, the most stunning and attractive woman imaginable, in order to end the battle and stop the demons from grabbing control of the nectar. Mohini charmed the gods and the devils with her unmatched beauty and charm. With a quick move, she redirected the demons and made sure the nectar reached the gods.
The Mohini Avatar of Vishnu and Bhasmasura Story
Now let's move on to the next well-known story. Perhaps you heard this when you were a child. According to the story, an Asura receives a boon from Bholenath. It says that someone will get burned if he puts his hand on them. He took on the name Bhasmasura. Later on, though, Bholenath came to regret his choice. Therefore, Bhagvan Vishnu adopts Mohini's avatar to remedy his error. She gives Bhasmasura a challenge to see if he can duplicate her dancing moves. But Bhasmasura copies her in response to the challenge, keeping his hand on his head in a single step. He was thus burned instantly.
Mohini, Shiva, and Ayyappa, their son
Many texts from the Vedas and Puranic stories state that Shiv ji and Vishnu's Mohini avatar came together to create Ayyappa. He later receives training from Parshuram ji to become a great warrior. Even so, in terms of power, he matches Parshuram ji with success. Ayyappa is currently highly revered in South India.
Conclusion
The Story of Mohini serves as an image of the strength of illusion (maya) and the value of discernment in avoiding temptation and remaining loyal to one's goals. It also highlights the belief in gods' intervention and their capacity to take on different forms in order to defend righteousness and preserve cosmic balance.