Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 17
Mohinī-mūrti Distributes Amṛta; Rāhu is Severed; Results Differ by Shelter
प्राङ्मुखेषूपविष्टेषु सुरेषु दितिजेषु च । धूपामोदितशालायां जुष्टायां माल्यदीपकै: ॥ १६ ॥ तस्यां नरेन्द्र करभोरुरुशद्दुकूल- श्रोणीतटालसगतिर्मदविह्वलाक्षी । सा कूजती कनकनूपुरशिञ्जितेन कुम्भस्तनी कलसपाणिरथाविवेश ॥ १७ ॥
prāṅ-mukheṣūpaviṣṭeṣu sureṣu ditijeṣu ca dhūpāmodita-śālāyāṁ juṣṭāyāṁ mālya-dīpakaiḥ
O King, as the demigods and demons sat facing east in an arena fully decorated with flower garlands and lamps and fragrant with the smoke of incense, that woman, dressed in a most beautiful sari, Her ankle bells tinkling, entered the arena, walking very slowly because of Her big, low hips. Her eyes were restless due to youthful pride, Her breasts were like water jugs, Her thighs resembled the trunks of elephants, and She carried a waterpot in Her hand.
FAQs
Mohinī-mūrti is Lord Viṣṇu’s enchanting female form, who enters the assembly of devas and daityas to manage the distribution of amṛta (nectar) in a way that protects the devas and upholds dharma.
In the nectar episode, both parties temporarily cooperate after churning the ocean; this verse sets the scene of the shared assembly just as Viṣṇu, as Mohinī, arrives to take charge of the amṛta distribution.
The verse highlights that divine intelligence can resolve conflict and protect righteousness—teaching that dharma is preserved not only by strength, but also by clarity, strategy, and surrender to the Lord’s guidance.