Shloka 36
The Lord’s Supervision of Embodiment: Fetal Development, Womb-Suffering, and the Jīva’s Prayer (Garbha-stuti) — and the Trap of Māyā
प्रजापति: स्वां दुहितरं दृष्ट्वा तद्रूपधर्षित: । रोहिद्भूतां सोऽन्वधावदृक्षरूपी हतत्रप: ॥ ३६ ॥
prajāpatiḥ svāṁ duhitaraṁ dṛṣṭvā tad-rūpa-dharṣitaḥ rohid-bhūtāṁ so ’nvadhāvad ṛkṣa-rūpī hata-trapaḥ
At the sight of his own daughter, Brahmā was bewildered by her charms and shamelessly ran up to her in the form of a stag when she took the form of a hind.
Lord Brahmā’s being captivated by the charms of his daughter and Lord Śiva’s being captivated by the Mohinī form of the Lord are specific instances which instruct us that even great demigods like Brahmā and Lord Śiva, what to speak of the ordinary conditioned soul, are captivated by the beauty of woman. Therefore, everyone is advised that one should not freely mix even with one’s daughter, mother or sister because the senses are so strong that when one becomes infatuated the senses do not consider the relationship of daughter, mother or sister. It is best, therefore, to practice controlling the senses by performing bhakti-yoga, engaging in the service of Madana-mohana. Lord Kṛṣṇa’s name is Madana-mohana, for He can subdue the god Cupid, or lust. Only by engaging in the service of Madana-mohana can one curb the dictates of Madana, Cupid. Otherwise, attempts to control the senses will fail.
FAQs
This verse depicts Prajāpati becoming disturbed by desire and losing shame, teaching that unchecked lust can bewilder even highly placed beings and must be restrained by dharma and self-control.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating these events to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
Guard the mind and senses, avoid situations that inflame desire, and uphold ethical boundaries—because loss of modesty and discrimination begins when lust is allowed to dominate.