Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 9
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
त्वां ब्रह्म केचिदवयन्त्युत धर्ममेकेएके परं सदसतो: पुरुषं परेशम् । अन्येऽवयन्ति नवशक्तियुतं परं त्वांकेचिन्महापुरुषमव्ययमात्मतन्त्रम् ॥ ९ ॥
tvāṁ brahma kecid avayanty uta dharmam eke eke paraṁ sad-asatoḥ puruṣaṁ pareśam anye ’vayanti nava-śakti-yutaṁ paraṁ tvāṁ kecin mahā-puruṣam avyayam ātma-tantram
Those who are known as the impersonalist Vedāntists regard You as the impersonal Brahman. Others, known as the Mīmāṁsaka philosophers, regard You as religion. The Sāṅkhya philosophers regard You as the transcendental person who is beyond prakṛti and puruṣa and who is the controller of even the demigods. The followers of the codes of devotional service known as the Pañcarātras regard You as being endowed with nine different potencies. And the Patañjala philosophers, the followers of Patañjali Muni, regard You as the supreme independent Personality of Godhead, who has no equal or superior.
FAQs
This verse explains that seekers perceive the same Supreme Truth in different ways—some as impersonal Brahman, others as dharma, and others as the Supreme Person (Puruṣa, Pareśa) who transcends both cause and effect.
After being bewildered by Viṣṇu’s Mohinī form, Lord Śiva offers prayers acknowledging that the Lord is understood variously, yet remains the one independent Supreme Reality beyond all limited conceptions.
Practice humility in spiritual learning: honor sincere approaches while deepening devotion to the Supreme Lord, recognizing that partial realizations can mature into fuller understanding through bhakti.