Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 43
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
अयि व्यपश्यस्त्वमजस्य मायांपरस्य पुंस: परदेवताया: । अहं कलानामृषभोऽपि मुह्येययावशोऽन्ये किमुतास्वतन्त्रा: ॥ ४३ ॥
ayi vyapaśyas tvam ajasya māyāṁ parasya puṁsaḥ para-devatāyāḥ ahaṁ kalānām ṛṣabho ’pi muhye yayāvaśo ’nye kim utāsvatantrāḥ
Lord Śiva said: O Goddess, you have now seen the māyā of the Supreme Personality of Godhead—the unborn Lord of all, the supreme Deity. Though I am among His principal expansions, even I became bewildered under her sway; what then can be said of others, wholly dependent upon māyā?
FAQs
This verse says that the Supreme Lord’s māyā is so powerful that even the foremost divine expansion can be bewildered by it—so conditioned, dependent beings should never underestimate it.
After Śiva witnessed Mohinī-mūrti and became momentarily captivated, Viṣṇu explained that this was His own divine māyā, meant to demonstrate its potency and to instruct humility and caution regarding illusion.
Do not rely on pride or self-confidence alone; cultivate steady bhakti, discernment, and disciplined senses, recognizing that illusion can overpower anyone without dependence on the Supreme.