One of the most interesting legends from the treasures of Hindu literature is the story of Mohini, Vishnu’s form as a divine female, whose beauty is unparalleled. From the dramatic episode of Samudra-Manthana (churning of the ocean by gods and demons) to the bewildering scene of Bhasmasura’s defeat by her charms, Mohini is a popular presence in Indian religion and folklore. The embodiment of “Moha '' (allure, the divine mirage) that enchants every being, Mohini is the representation of Vishnu’s subtle and ever-present powers that run the Universe.
Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean)
Rahu, an Asura saw this and to partake in the distribution of Amrita, disguised himself and sat with the gods. As Mohini was pouring the Amrita to him, Surya and Chandra, the Sun and Moon gods identified him and pointed it to Mohini. Instantly the Chakra (discus) of Vishnu appeared and Mohini dissected Rahu into two halves. This was the birth of Rahu and Ketu, the powerful yet malicious planet-deities, made from the two parts of Rahu’s body.
Since Surya and Chandra were behind its state, Rahu cursed them to be devoured by him, as a result of which Surya Grahana and Chandra Grahana (solar and lunar eclipses) take place. This story of Mohini is narrated in the Mahabharata and many Puranas. The most famous tale of Mohini, this however is not the only legend related to Vishnu’s form as a beauteous woman.
In the Vishnu Purana, we are told about another instance when Vishnu took the form of Mohini. Bhasmasura, the devotee of Shiva with his great Tapasya, pleased the Lord who gave him an interesting and powerful boon- the Asura could put his hand on anyone’s head and the person would be burnt to ash (bhasma). Overjoyed with the boon, Bhasmasura wanted to put his new powers to the test, and seeing Shiva in front of his eyes, he ran towards him, to affirm the potency of his blessing.
The situation was tricky. Shiva’s boon was infallible, which meant the moment the Asura touched Shiva, he would burn to ashes. Seeing this, Vishnu came forward to Shiva’s aid, in his form as Mohini. Seeing the divine woman, Bhasmasura forgot all about the boon. His only aim was to gain her hand in marriage. The beautiful Mohini put forward one condition- she would marry a man who could match her skills in a dance-off.
Rejoiced, Bhasmasura danced with Mohini, copying every gesture and pose. Victory felt near for the Asura, but then Mohini suddenly placed her hand on her head, making a new pose. Following her, Bhasmasura also raised his hand and put it on his head, forgetting about the boon of Shiva. And then, with a flicker, the demon burnt as a result of the boon he so ardently sought. Mohini’s ethereal powers worked their charms once again.
Away from her fame as an “enchantress” and alluring female, Mohini in many parts of India is an integral part of the goddess cult and local religious traditions. In Western India, especially in Goa, Mohini is revered as Narayani (a form of Narayana-Vishnu) and Rahu-Matthani (she who slayed Rahu). The Mohiniraj Temple in Maharashtra and HariKanyaka Temple in Thrissur are dedicated to Mohini as a powerful goddess and a Kula-Devi (family goddess) of many local castes.
Tripura-Rahasya, a text related to the goddess tradition from Southern India mentions that Vishnu became Mohini after receiving the beauty of Parvati, which is why, Mohini is directly related to the Shakti tradition. According to the local oral traditions, Krishna took the form of Mohini to marry Iravana or Aravana, a warrior who sacrificed himself to goddess Kali for the success of Pandavas in the war of Kurukshetra.
One of his last wishes was to get married in order to receive a proper cremation ceremony since unmarried men were buried. The transgender community called “Aravani” in Tamil Nadu annually celebrates the sacrifice of Aravana and his wives, marry him, and lament his death at the end of the festival.
Mohiniyattam of Kerala | Acrylic Painting
Literally referring to the divine dance of Mohini, Mohiniyattam is one of the Indian classical dances, mentioned in the ancient Natya-Shastra of Bharata Muni. A dance tradition preserved in the temples and temple towns of Kerala, Mohinyattam is a graceful and feminine dance that celebrates the beauty of Vishnu’s female form.
18" Mohini, The Female Incarnation of Vishnu | Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-Wax) | Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai
The exquisiteness of Mohini not only enchanted the gods and demons but also humans, some of whom, the skilled sculptors and painters, visualized and immortalized the allure of this divine form. Some of the first and most awe-inspiring representations of Mohini come from the Belur temples of the Hoyasalas, where the walls of the sanctum are covered in depictions of Mohini.
Mohini on a Swing (A Reproduction of the Original Work of Raja Ravi Varma)
It is possible that the female forms in these temples are women or Apsras, but due to their unmatched appeal, many have identified them as the inimitable Mohini. Not only the ancient master-sculptors, but even the modern revolutionaries of art such as Raja Ravi Varma, appreciated the appeal of Mohini as the epitome of beauty and femininity. In several of her works such as Mohini on Swing and Mohini Playing with a Ball, we see the attempt of the artist, capturing a glimpse, a hint of what the assembly of gods and demons witnessed on the occasion of the cosmic churning.
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