He Who Seeks A Boon To Destroy Others Seeks His Own Destruction

There was an asura (demon) named Bhasmasura. He was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Once, while propitiating Lord Shiva, when he was about to offer his head as a sacrifice, Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked him the boon he wanted. Bhasmasura said that anyone whose head he touched with his hand should burn up and immediately turn into ashes (bhasma). Shiva granted him the boon. Bhasmasura wanted to test this newfound power of his and reached for Shiva. Shiva got to know the intention of Bhasmasura and broke into a run and prayed to Lord Vishnu to protect him. Vishnu said he would help him. Lord Vishnu dressed himself as a brahmachari (celibate) and approached Bhasmasura. He asked Bhasmasura whom he was he chasing. Bhasmasura narrated his story. Then Vishnu told that Shiva might have duped him and hence started running. Bhasmasura got angry. Vishnu told him to test the power with his own head. Bhasmasura fell for it and as soon as he placed his own palm on his head, he turned into ashes. Lord Shiva thanked Lord Vishnu for saving him.

PS: There is an other version in which instead of a Brahmachari, Vishnu in his Mohini avatar asks the asura to mimic his dance gestures and gets him to place his hand on his head.

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