Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 39
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
को नु मेऽतितरेन्मायां विषक्तस्त्वदृते पुमान् । तांस्तान्विसृजतीं भावान्दुस्तरामकृतात्मभि: ॥ ३९ ॥
ko nu me ’titaren māyāṁ viṣaktas tvad-ṛte pumān tāṁs tān visṛjatīṁ bhāvān dustarām akṛtātmabhiḥ
O Herr Śambhu, wer außer dir kann in dieser materiellen Welt Meine māyā überwinden? Die Menschen sind meist an Sinnenlust gebunden und von ihrem Einfluss besiegt; wahrlich, die Macht der materiellen Natur ist für Unbeherrschte äußerst schwer zu übersteigen.
Of the three chief demigods — Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara — all but Viṣṇu are under the influence of māyā. In Caitanya-caritāmṛta, they are described as māyī, which means “under māyā’s influence.” But even though Lord Śiva associates with māyā, he is not influenced. The living entities are affected by māyā, but although Lord Śiva apparently associates with māyā, he is not affected. In other words, all living entities within this material world except for Lord Śiva are swayed by māyā. Lord Śiva is therefore neither viṣṇu-tattva nor jīva-tattva. He is between the two.
FAQs
This verse teaches that māyā cannot be crossed by one who is attached and uncontrolled; only by taking shelter of the Lord (Viṣṇu) can one truly transcend illusion.
After being bewildered by Mohinī’s form, Lord Śiva acknowledges Viṣṇu’s supreme potency and admits that without the Lord’s grace no conditioned soul can surpass māyā.
Reduce attachment and cultivate self-discipline, while actively taking shelter of the Lord through bhakti—such as chanting, prayer, and hearing sacred texts—to avoid being pushed from one mental state and desire to another.