Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 43

Lakṣmī’s Emergence, Dhanvantari, and the Advent of Mohinī-mūrti

Devanagari script

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे विष्णु: सर्वोपायविदीश्वर: । योषिद्रूपमनिर्देश्यं दधार परमाद्भ‍ुतम् ॥ ४१ ॥ प्रेक्षणीयोत्पलश्यामं सर्वावयवसुन्दरम् । समानकर्णाभरणं सुकपोलोन्नसाननम् ॥ ४२ ॥ नवयौवननिर्वृत्तस्तनभारकृशोदरम् । मुखामोदानुरक्तालिझङ्कारोद्विग्नलोचनम् ॥ ४३ ॥ बिभ्रत् सुकेशभारेण मालामुत्फुल्ल‍मल्ल‍िकाम् । सुग्रीवकण्ठाभरणं सुभुजाङ्गदभूषितम् ॥ ४४ ॥ विरजाम्बरसंवीतनितम्बद्वीपशोभया । काञ्‍च्या प्रविलसद्वल्गुचलच्चरणनूपुरम् ॥ ४५ ॥ सव्रीडस्मितविक्षिप्तभ्रूविलासावलोकनै: । दैत्ययूथपचेत:सु काममुद्दीपयन् मुहु: ॥ ४६ ॥

Transliteration

etasminn antare viṣṇuḥ sarvopāya-vid īśvaraḥ yoṣid-rūpam anirdeśyaṁ dadhāra-paramādbhutam

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, who can counteract any unfavorable situation, then assumed the form of an extremely beautiful woman. This incarnation as a woman, Mohinī-mūrti, was most pleasing to the mind. Her complexion resembled in color a newly grown blackish lotus, and every part of Her body was beautifully situated. Her ears were equally decorated with earrings, Her cheeks were very beautiful, Her nose was raised and Her face full of youthful luster. Her large breasts made Her waist seem very thin. Attracted by the aroma of Her face and body, bumblebees hummed around Her, and thus Her eyes were restless. Her hair, which was extremely beautiful, was garlanded with mallikā flowers. Her attractively constructed neck was decorated with a necklace and other ornaments, Her arms were decorated with bangles, Her body was covered with a clean sari, and Her breasts seemed like islands in an ocean of beauty. Her legs were decorated with ankle bells. Because of the movements of Her eyebrows as She smiled with shyness and glanced over the demons, all the demons were saturated with lusty desires, and every one of them desired to possess Her.

Synonyms

• nava-yauvana-nirvṛtta-stana-bhāra-kṛśa-udaram: with a slender waist from youthful fullness and the weight of breasts
• nava-yauvana-nirvṛtta-stana-bhāra-kṛśa-udaram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nava (प्रातिपदिक) + yauvana (प्रातिपदिक) + nirvṛtta (कृदन्त; √vṛt धातु) + stana (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāra (प्रातिपदिक) + kṛśa (प्रातिपदिक) + udara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष/वर्णनात्मक-समासः: नवयौवनात् निर्वृत्तः (newly arisen from youthfulness), स्तनभारात् कृशम् उदरम् यस्य (slender-waisted due to the weight of breasts)

• mukha-āmoda-anurakta-āli-jhaṅkāra-udvigna-locanam: with eyes startled by the humming of bees attracted to the fragrance of her mouth
• mukha-āmoda-anurakta-āli-jhaṅkāra-udvigna-locanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mukha (प्रातिपदिक) + āmoda (प्रातिपदिक) + anurakta (कृदन्त; √rañj धातु) + āli (प्रातिपदिक) + jhaṅkāra (प्रातिपदिक) + udvigna (कृदन्त; √dvij/ud+√vij) + locana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः: मुखामोदेन अनुरक्ताः आलयः (भ्रमराः) तेषां झङ्कारात् उद्विग्नानि लोचनानि यस्य

Purport

Because of the Supreme Lord’s assuming the form of a beautiful woman to arouse the lusty desires of the demons, a description of Her complete beauty is given here.

Characters & Entities

• Viṣṇu (as Mohinī-mūrti)
• Daityas (demons)

FAQs

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

In 8.8.43, Śukadeva describes Mohinī as youthfully radiant with a slender waist, her fragrance attracting bees whose humming makes her eyes move restlessly—highlighting her enchanting, divine allure.

Why did Viṣṇu appear as Mohinī-mūrti during the churning of the ocean?

Viṣṇu assumed Mohinī’s form to bewilder the demons and ensure the devas received the nectar, protecting cosmic order (dharma) through His divine līlā and māyā.

What is a practical lesson from Mohinī-mūrti’s līlā for modern life?

The verse reminds seekers that sensory attraction can agitate the mind; cultivating discernment and devotion helps one see beyond appearances and stay aligned with dharma.