Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 20

Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī

Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power

Devanagari script

दिक्षु भ्रमत्कन्दुकचापलैर्भृशंप्रोद्विग्नतारायतलोललोचनाम् । स्वकर्णविभ्राजितकुण्डलोल्ल‍सत्-कपोलनीलालकमण्डिताननाम् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

dikṣu bhramat-kanduka-cāpalair bhṛśaṁ prodvigna-tārāyata-lola-locanām sva-karṇa-vibhrājita-kuṇḍalollasat- kapola-nīlālaka-maṇḍitānanām

Translation

The woman’s face was decorated by broad, beautiful, restless eyes, which moved as the ball bounced here and there from Her hand. The two brilliant earrings on Her ears decorated Her shining cheeks like bluish reflections, and the hair scattered on Her face made Her even more beautiful to see.

Synonyms

• dikṣu: in the directions
• dikṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: diś (दिश् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), बहुवचन

• bhramat: wandering, moving about
• bhramat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhram (भ्रम् धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying cāpalaiḥ)

• kanduka: ball
• kanduka: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kanduka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, as compound member (stem)

• cāpalaiḥ: with restlessness/quick movements
• cāpalaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cāpala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• bhṛśam: exceedingly
• bhṛśam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bhṛśam (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• prodvigna: agitated, startled
• prodvigna: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra+ud√vij (विज् धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying locanām)

• tārāyata: wide, expanded
• tārāyata: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tārāyata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (wide/extended pupils)

• lola: trembling, unsteady
• lola: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lola (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• locanām: eyes
• locanām: Viśeṣya (विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: locana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/विशेष्य), एकवचन; (as bahuvrīhi target: 'having such eyes')

• sva: own
• sva: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत्-विशेषण; as compound member (own)

• karṇa: ear
• karṇa: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, as compound member (stem)

• vibhrājita: shining, adorned
• vibhrājita: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi√bhrāj (भ्राज् धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, as compound member; 'made to shine/adorned'

• kuṇḍala: earring
• kuṇḍala: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuṇḍala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, as compound member (earring)

• ullasat: gleaming, flashing
• ullasat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ud√las (लस् धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, as compound member; 'gleaming'

• kapola: cheek
• kapola: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kapola (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, as compound member

• nīla: dark/blue-black
• nīla: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: as compound member; विशेषण

• ālaka: lock of hair
• ālaka: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ālaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, as compound member

• maṇḍita: adorned
• maṇḍita: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: maṇḍ (मण्ड् धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, as compound member; 'decorated'

• ānanām: face
• ānanām: Viśeṣya (विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ānana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/विशेष्य), एकवचन; (as bahuvrīhi target: 'having such a face')

Characters & Entities

• Mohinī-mūrti
• Lord Śiva

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Mohinī-mūrti’s beauty in Canto 8?

This verse depicts Mohinī-mūrti’s captivating, restless movements, wide wavering eyes, shining earrings, and dark curling locks—features that intensify the enchantment of the Lord’s māyā-śakti.

Why is Mohinī-mūrti described with such detail in the story of Lord Śiva?

Śukadeva describes Mohinī-mūrti vividly to show how even Lord Śiva, though supremely powerful, can be momentarily attracted when the Lord displays His divine illusory potency for līlā and instruction.

Practical application of this verse in modern life?

It reminds seekers to practice vigilance and self-restraint: sensory beauty can agitate the mind, so one should ground the eyes and mind in devotion, remembrance, and disciplined conduct.