Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 29
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
सोपगूढा भगवता करिणा करिणी यथा । इतस्तत: प्रसर्पन्ती विप्रकीर्णशिरोरुहा ॥ २९ ॥ आत्मानं मोचयित्वाङ्ग सुरर्षभभुजान्तरात् । प्राद्रवत्सा पृथुश्रोणी माया देवविनिर्मिता ॥ ३० ॥
sopagūḍhā bhagavatā kariṇā kariṇī yathā itas tataḥ prasarpantī viprakīrṇa-śiroruhā
Being embraced by Lord Śiva like a female elephant embraced by a male, the woman, whose hair was scattered, swirled like a snake. O King, this woman, who had large, high hips, was a woman of yoga-māyā presented by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. She released Herself somehow or other from the fond embrace of Lord Śiva’s arms and ran away.
FAQs
This verse depicts Mohinī’s captivating, elusive movements even while embraced by Bhagavān, illustrating how the Lord’s own māyā can enchant and bewilder the universe.
The comparison emphasizes the intensity of the embrace and the natural, overpowering pull of attraction—used in the narrative to show how potent the Lord’s illusory display can be.
Attraction can overpower even the strong; therefore one should seek the Lord’s shelter, cultivate restraint, and remain vigilant about the mind’s susceptibility to illusion.