Shloka 18
Viṣṇu as Seed-Cause: Pañcarātra Emanations, Tattva-Unfolding, and the Avatāra Chronology
ततो हरिर्जगृहे श्रीवपुश्च यन्मोहिनीति प्रवदन्ति लोके / उद्वृत्तानां दितिजानां महात्मा सम्यक्तेषां वञ्चयितुं हरिर्बलम्
tato harirjagṛhe śrīvapuśca yanmohinīti pravadanti loke / udvṛttānāṃ ditijānāṃ mahātmā samyakteṣāṃ vañcayituṃ harirbalam
তখন হরি সেই শ্রীময় মনোহর রূপ ধারণ করলেন, যাকে লোক ‘মোহিনী’ বলে; উদ্ধত দিতিপুত্রদের, তারা যথাযথ প্রস্তুত থাকলেও, বিভ্রান্ত করে বঞ্চিত করতে মহাত্মা হরি এই শক্তি গ্রহণ করলেন।
Suta/Narrator (Purana narrative voice describing Hari’s act)
Concept: Māyā can be wielded by Īśvara as upāya (skillful means) to restrain adharma; arrogance (mada) blinds even the prepared.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-māyā: the Lord’s power to project forms for loka-saṅgraha; discernment that appearances can serve higher order.
Application: Do not be intoxicated by confidence; cultivate viveka (discernment). Use diplomacy ethically to prevent harm and protect rightful outcomes.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Type: mythic assembly scene
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.15 (Mohinī among avatāra forms)
FAQs
This verse highlights Mohinī as Vishnu’s radiant form of divine māyā used strategically to protect dharma by outmaneuvering the Daityas’ arrogance and disruptive intent.
It presents delusion as a controlled divine instrument: Hari employs māyā not as ignorance, but as purposeful power to restrain pride and restore right order.
Treat beauty, persuasion, and charisma as forces that can be used ethically; avoid arrogance and manipulation, and align personal power with dharma and truthful intent.