Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 1
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच वृषध्वजो निशम्येदं योषिद्रूपेण दानवान् । मोहयित्वा सुरगणान्हरि: सोममपाययत् ॥ १ ॥ वृषमारुह्य गिरिश: सर्वभूतगणैर्वृत: । सह देव्या ययौ द्रष्टुं यत्रास्ते मधुसूदन: ॥ २ ॥
śrī-bādarāyaṇir uvāca vṛṣa-dhvajo niśamyedaṁ yoṣid-rūpeṇa dānavān mohayitvā sura-gaṇān hariḥ somam apāyayat
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, assumed a woman’s form, bewitched the demons, and enabled the devas to drink the nectar. Hearing of these līlās, Lord Śiva, Vṛṣadhvaja, mounted his bull and, surrounded by hosts of bhūtas, went with Devī Umā to the place where Madhusūdana resides, to behold that feminine form.
FAQs
This verse states that Hari took a woman’s form, bewildered the Dānavas, and ensured the demigods drank the nectar.
Because it sets the narrative cause: upon hearing of Viṣṇu’s Mohinī pastime, Śiva becomes eager to witness that extraordinary form.
The verse highlights how even powerful beings can be deluded by appearances, encouraging vigilance, humility, and reliance on dharma and devotion over sensory attraction.