Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 8

Mohinī-mūrti Distributes Amṛta; Rāhu is Severed; Results Differ by Shelter

Devanagari script

इत्युपामन्त्रितो दैत्यैर्मायायोषिद्वपुर्हरि: । प्रहस्य रुचिरापाङ्गैर्निरीक्षन्निदमब्रवीत् ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

ity upāmantrito daityair māyā-yoṣid-vapur hariḥ prahasya rucirāpāṅgair nirīkṣann idam abravīt

Translation

Thus entreated by the demons, the Supreme Lord Hari, who had assumed the form of a beautiful woman, smiled. Casting charming sidelong glances upon them, She spoke as follows.

Synonyms

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/quotative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), quotation particle (इति-प्रयोग)

• upāmantritaḥ: having been addressed/invited
• upāmantritaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upāmantrita (कृदन्त; उप-आ-√मन्त्र् धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/PPP), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular (एकवचन); qualifies hariḥ

• daityaiḥ: by the demons
• daityaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया) Plural (बहुवचन)

• māyā-yoṣit-vapuḥ: (one whose) form was that of an illusory woman
• māyā-yoṣit-vapuḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (apposition to hariḥ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māyā (प्रातिपदिक) + yoṣit (प्रातिपदिक) + vapuḥ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष: māyāyāḥ yoṣit- (illusory woman) + vapuḥ (form)

• hariḥ: Hari (Vishnu)
• hariḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular (एकवचन)

• prahasya: having laughed
• prahasya: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pra-√has (हस् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय; ल्यप्), avyaya-kṛdanta; action prior to main verb

• rucira-apāṅgaiḥ: with charming sidelong glances
• rucira-apāṅgaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rucira (प्रातिपदिक) + apāṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया) Plural (बहुवचन); कर्मधारय: rucirāḥ apāṅgāḥ (charming side-glances)

• nirīkṣan: looking (at them)
• nirīkṣan: Karta (कर्ता) (participial)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ni-√īkṣ (ईक्ष् धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular (एकवचन); agrees with hariḥ

• idam: this
• idam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) Singular (एकवचन)

• abravīt: said
• abravīt: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √brū (ब्रू धातु)
• Form: Luṅ (लुङ्, aorist), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष) Singular (एकवचन)

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Vishnu)
• Mohinī-mūrti
• Daityas

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Mohini Murti in Canto 8?

In this verse, Śukadeva describes Lord Hari assuming an illusory female form (Mohinī) and, with a smile and captivating glances, preparing to speak to the Daityas—showing the Lord’s līlā and mastery over māyā.

Why did Vishnu appear as Mohini to the Daityas during Samudra Manthan?

The narrative context is the distribution of amṛta (nectar). By enchanting the Daityas through Mohinī, the Lord ensures the nectar is allotted in a way that upholds dharma and protects the devas.

Practical application of the concept of maya in modern life?

This verse highlights how appearances can mislead; a devotee learns discernment—seeking truth and dharma over attraction to external charm, and remembering that māyā can cover clear judgment.