Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 2
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच वृषध्वजो निशम्येदं योषिद्रूपेण दानवान् । मोहयित्वा सुरगणान्हरि: सोममपाययत् ॥ १ ॥ वृषमारुह्य गिरिश: सर्वभूतगणैर्वृत: । सह देव्या ययौ द्रष्टुं यत्रास्ते मधुसूदन: ॥ २ ॥
śrī-bādarāyaṇir uvāca vṛṣa-dhvajo niśamyedaṁ yoṣid-rūpeṇa dānavān mohayitvā sura-gaṇān hariḥ somam apāyayat
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, in the form of a woman, captivated the demons and enabled the demigods to drink the nectar. After hearing of these pastimes, Lord Śiva, who is carried by a bull, went to the place where Madhusūdana, the Lord, resides. Accompanied by his wife, Umā, and surrounded by his companions, the ghosts, Lord Śiva went there to see the Lord’s form as a woman.
FAQs
It says Lord Hari assumed a woman’s form (Mohinī), bewildered the Dānavas, and enabled the demigods to drink the nectar safely—showing the Lord’s mastery over illusion and protection of the devas.
After hearing the account of Mohinī’s divine enchantment and the nectar’s distribution, Śiva (Vṛṣadhvaja) became curious to behold that extraordinary form of Hari, so he traveled with Pārvatī to where Viṣṇu was staying.
Even powerful beings can be deluded by captivating appearances; the verse encourages humility, vigilance over the senses, and taking shelter of the Lord’s guidance rather than trusting the mind’s fascination.