The Cave of Halesi

Story Note: Caves, like the rivers in Nepal, are considered sacred, for they were places of meditation for the saints, or holy men.

long ago, the demon Bhasmasur worshipped Lord Mahadeva, god of destruction. Lord Mahadeva was so pleased by the demon's worship that he ap- peared before him, saying, "What is it you want? Tell me, so I may fulfill your wish."

Bhasmasur was delighted and said to the god, "Oh Lord, grant me my wish. Let it be that whom- ever I touch turns to ash."

Now Mahadeva was easily flattered and quick to act. Without thinking, he fulfilled the demon's wish. "Tathastu," he said. "Let it be." After a few moments, Bhasmasur asked, "Is my wish working?"

"Dear demon,"said Mahadeva, "how can you ask such a question? Of course you have the power you requested."

"Oh, Lord," cried Bhasmasur, "how will I know unless I test it. Since there is no one here but you, may I place my hand on your head?"

"Fool!" cried Mahadeva, "then I will be turned to ash!"

"But, oh Lord!" said Bhasmasur, "how will I know if my wish works?"

With that, the demon stepped forward, his hand outstretched toward Mahadeva's head. Mahadeva, frightened, stepped back, and the demon moved forward. Mahadeva, realizing he had made a terrible mistake, tried to escape. He ran to his family in the moun- tains, but still the demon followed.

When Mahadeva arrived at Mt. Halesi, he dug a hole in the mountain to hide himself and his family, his wife Parvati and his son Ganesh. While he was digging the hole, his mount, the ox Basaha, stood fighting at the entrance of the cave to keep the demon away. But the ox was defeated, and the demon pushed his way downward.

Mahadeva heard the demon coming and began to dig another hole, this time tunneling upward toward the earth's surface. The demon was close behind, so Mahadeva dug another hole, this one going downward. In the bottom of the new hole he hid himself and his family.

Vishnu, the god of preservation, saw what was happening and came to earth in the form of a beautiful maiden. The maiden ap- proached the demon, who was looking tired and sad. "Oh, great demon,"she said, "why are you looking so sad?"

"My lady,"said Bhasmasur, "Lord Mahadeva has cheated me. He granted me my wish but escaped before I could find out whether it worked." The maiden laughed out loud.

"Why are you laughing?" asked Bhasmasur.

"Because it is funny, of course," said the maiden. "Why do you have to find someone to test your wish. Why not try it on yourself?"

"How could I do that?" asked Bhasmasur.

"You could put your hand on your own head."

"Ah, what a fool I am,"said Bhasmasur. "Why did I not think of that?" Laughing at his own foolishness, Bhasmasur said, "Oh lady, please be my witness and see if my wish works. "Bhasmasur then put his hand on his own head and immediately was turned to ash.

Now today, if you go to Mt. Halesi in eastern Nepal, you will see the caves dug by Lord Mahadeva. One is called Basahathan, the place of Basaha who fought the demon. At its entrance is a boulder that looks like an ox. The second cave is called Mahadevathan, the place of Lord Mahadeva. On the floor of this cave are many stalag- mites, which people say are the gods who came to visit Lord Ma- hadeva while he was in hiding. One stalagmite is the lord himself, two others, his wife and son. On the roof of the cave, stalactites drip lime water onto the stalagmites, which people say are offerings of milk from heaven for the visiting gods and goddesses.

About two miles away is a pile of black rocks, said to be the burnt relics of the demon Bhasmasur. So goes the story of the cave of Mt. Halesi.

[1]Cave of Halesi-a place of religious pilgrimage [2]Lord Mahadeva-another name for Lord Shiva

[3]Mt. Halesi-in the foothills of the Himalayas of eastern Nepal