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 the diti-ja sat facing east in a hall fragrant with incense and adorned with garlands and lamps, that woman entered. Clad in an exquisitely beautiful sari, she moved slowly because of her heavy, low hips; her eyes were restless with the pride of youth. With the tinkling of golden ankle bells she came in—her breasts like water jugs, her thighs like elephant trunks, and a waterpot held 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.