The Account of Mohinī (Mohinī-upākhyāna)

Verse 1

वसिष्ठ उवाच । मोहिनी मोहमुत्सृज्य गता विबुधमंदिरम् । भर्त्सिता देवदूतेन स्थितिस्तेऽत्र न पापिनी ॥ १ ॥

Vasiṣṭha said: “Mohinī, casting off her delusion, went to the abode of the gods. Rebuked by a divine messenger, she (was told): ‘O sinful one, there is no place for you to remain here.’”

Verse 2

पापशीले सुदुर्मेधे भर्तृनिंदापरायणे । हरिवासरलोपिन्यां वासस्ते न त्रिविष्टपे ॥ २ ॥

O sinful-natured, very dull-witted woman—ever intent on disparaging your husband—because you violate the sacred day of Hari, there will be no abode for you in Triviṣṭapa (heaven).

Verse 3

धर्मतो विमुखानां च नरके वास इष्यते । एवमुक्त्वा तु तां वायुः क्रूरं वचनपद्भुतम् ॥ ३ ॥

For those who turn away from dharma, residence in hell is indeed ordained. Having spoken thus to her, Vāyu uttered harsh and dreadful words.

Verse 4

ताडयित्वा च दंडेन प्रेरयामास यातनाम् । एवं संताडिता राजन् देवदूतेन मोहिनी ॥ ४ ॥

Having struck her with a staff, he drove her onward toward torment. Thus, O King, the deluding woman (Mohinī) was beaten again and again by the divine messenger.

Verse 5

ब्रह्मदंडपराभूता संप्राप्ता नरकं नृप । तत्र धर्माज्ञया सा तु दूतैः संताडिता चिरम् ॥ ५ ॥

Overpowered by Brahmā’s punishment, she reached hell, O King. There, by Dharma’s command, she was beaten for a long time by the messengers.

Verse 6

सर्वेषु क्रमशो गत्वा नरकेषु निपातिता । पापे धर्मांगदः पुत्रो घातितः पतिपाणिना ॥ ६ ॥

Having gone, one after another, into all the hells, she was cast down there; and in that sinful plight, her son Dharmāṅgada was slain by the very hand of her husband.

Verse 7

त्वया यतस्ततो भुंक्ष्व कृतकर्मफलं त्विह । प्रजाहितं स्थिरप्रज्ञं महेंद्रवरुणोपमम् ॥ ७ ॥

Therefore, enjoy here the fruit of the deeds performed by you—wherever it may arise—remaining steadfast in understanding and devoted to the welfare of the people, comparable to Mahendra (Indra) and Varuṇa.

Verse 8

सप्तद्वीपाधिपं पुत्रं हत्वेदृक्फलभोगिनी । प्राकृतस्यापि पुत्रस्य हिंसायां ब्रह्महा भवेत् ॥ ८ ॥

A woman who kills even a son—though he be lord of the seven continents—may gain such a “fruit,” yet by violence even against an ordinary son she becomes a brahma-hā, a slayer of a brāhmaṇa.

Verse 9

किं पुनर्द्धर्मयुक्तस्य पापे धर्मांगदस्य च । एवं निर्भत्सिता दूतैर्यमस्य नृपसत्तम ॥ ९ ॥

How much more, O best of kings, in the case of one truly established in dharma—when even a sinful man who merely bore the name “Dharmāṅgada” was thus rebuked by Yama’s messengers!

Verse 10

बुभुजे यातनाः सर्वाः क्रमशः शमनोदिताः । ब्रह्मदंडहतायास्तु देहस्पर्शेन यातनाः ॥ १० ॥

She endured, one after another, all the torments ordained by Śamana (Yama). But for the woman struck by the “brahma-daṇḍa,” even the very touch of the body itself becomes torment.

Verse 11

ज्वलितांगा बभूवुस्ता धारणाय न तु क्षमाः । ततस्ते नरका राजन् धर्मराजमुपागताः ॥ ११ ॥

Their bodies blazed, and they were unable to endure that torment. Then those beings of hell, O King, approached Dharmarāja (Yama), the Lord of Justice.

Verse 12

प्रोचुः प्रांजलयो भीतास्तदंगस्पर्शपीडिताः । देवदेव जगन्नाथ धर्मराज दयां कुरु ॥ १२ ॥

With palms joined, frightened and afflicted by the torment of contact with his limbs, they cried: “O God of gods, O Jagannātha, Lord of the universe—O Dharmarāja, show mercy!”

Verse 13

इमां निःसारयाशु त्वं यातनाभ्यः सुखाय नः । यस्याः स्पर्शनतो नाथ भस्मभूताः क्षणादहो ॥ १३ ॥

O Lord, swiftly lead us out of these torments into happiness—she whose mere touch, wondrously, reduces beings to ashes in an instant.

Verse 14

भविष्यामस्ततस्त्वेनां नरकेभ्यो विवासय । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तेषां धर्मराजोऽतिविस्मितः ॥ १४ ॥

“We shall come to take her later; therefore release her from the hells.” Hearing their words, Dharmarāja (Yama) was exceedingly astonished.

Verse 15

दूतान्स्वान्प्रत्युवाचेयं निःसार्या मम मंदिरात् । यो ब्रह्मदंडनिर्दग्धः पुमान् स्त्री वा च तस्करः ॥ १५ ॥

She then addressed her own attendants: “Drive out from my temple anyone—man or woman—who has been scorched by the rod of Brahmā’s punishment, and any thief as well.”

Verse 16

तस्य पापस्य संस्पर्शं नेच्छति यातना मम । तस्मादिमां महापापां भर्तुर्वचनलोपिनीम् ॥ १६ ॥

My punishment does not wish to come into contact with that sin. Therefore take away this greatly sinful woman who violates her husband’s command.

Verse 17

पुत्रघ्नीं धर्महंत्रीं च ब्रह्मदंडहतामपि । निःसारयत मे बापि देहो ज्वलति दर्शंनात् ॥ १७ ॥

“Drive her out—she who slays her own child, who destroys dharma, and who has been struck by the punishment of Brahmā. O father! My very body burns merely on seeing her.”

Verse 18

इत्युक्तास्ते तदा दूता धर्मराजेन भूपते । प्रहरंतोऽस्त्रशस्त्रैश्च बहिश्चक्रुर्यमक्षयात् ॥ १८ ॥

O King, thus commanded by Dharmarāja (Yama), those messengers then struck with weapons and missiles and drove the offender out from Yama’s abode.

Verse 19

ततः सा दुःखिता राजन् मोहिनी मोहसंयुता । पातालं प्रययौ तत्र पातालस्थैर्निवारिता ॥ १९ ॥

Then, O King, that enchanting woman Mohinī—overwhelmed by delusion and distressed—set out for Pātāla; but there she was restrained by the beings who dwell in the netherworld.

Verse 20

ततस्तु व्रीडितात्यर्थः मोहिनी ब्रह्मणः सुता । जनकस्यांतिकं गत्वा दुःखं स्वं संन्यवेदयत् ॥ २० ॥

Then Mohinī, the daughter of Brahmā, overwhelmed with deep shame, went to King Janaka and disclosed to him her own sorrow.

Verse 21

तात तन्नास्ति मे स्थानं त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे । यत्र यत्र तु गच्छामि तत्र तत्र क्षिपंति माम् ॥ २१ ॥

O dear one, I have no place of refuge anywhere in the three worlds, among the moving or the unmoving. Wherever I go, there too they drive me away and cast me out.

Verse 22

अहं निर्वासिता लोकैर्घातयित्वायुधैर्दृढम् । भवदाज्ञां समादाय गता रुक्मविभूषणम् ॥ २२ ॥

I was driven out by the people; with steadfast weapons I struck down my foes. Then, accepting your command, I departed, adorned with golden ornaments.

Verse 23

मया व्यवसितं चेदं सर्वलोकविगर्हितम् । क्लेशयित्वा तु भर्तारं पुत्रं हत्वा वरासिना ॥ २३ ॥

I have resolved upon this deed—one condemned by all the worlds: after causing my husband great anguish, I have slain my son with a sword.

Verse 24

संध्यावलीं क्षोभयित्वा पितः प्राप्ता दशामिमाम् । न गतिर्विद्यते देव पापाया मम सांप्रतम् ॥ २४ ॥

Having disturbed the Sandhyā rites, O Father, I have come to this condition. Now, O Lord, there is no refuge for me, sinful as I am.

Verse 25

विशेषाद्द्विजशापेन जाताहं दुःखभागिनी । विप्रवाक्यहताना च दग्धानां चित्रभानुना ॥ २५ ॥

Especially due to a brāhmaṇa’s curse, I have become a sharer in sorrow; and those struck down by the brāhmaṇa’s words were burned by Citrabhānu (the blazing Sun).

Verse 26

दिवाकीर्तिहतानां च भक्षितानां मृगादिभिः । शतह्रदाविपन्नानां मुक्तिदा स्वर्णदीपितः ॥ २६ ॥

For those who have died through the blow of the so-called ‘day-famed’ (violent) fate, for those devoured by beasts and the like, and for those who have perished in the region of Śata-hrada, a golden lamp (offered there) becomes a giver of liberation.

Verse 27

यदि त्वं त्रिदशैः सार्द्धं विप्रं तं शापदायिनम् । प्रसादयसि मत्प्रीत्या तर्हि मे विहिता गतिः ॥ २७ ॥

If you, together with the gods, appease that brāhmaṇa—the giver of the curse—out of love for me, then my destined course (deliverance) will be secured.

Verse 28

तां तथावादिनीं राजन् ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः । शिवेंद्रधर्मसूर्याग्निदेवेशैर्मुनिभिर्युतः ॥ २८ ॥

O King, Brahmā—the Pitāmaha, grandsire of the worlds—together with Śiva, Indra, Dharma, Sūrya, Agni, the Lord of the gods, and accompanied by sages, addressed her as she spoke thus.

Verse 29

मोहिनीमग्रतः कृत्वा जगाम द्विजसन्निधौ । तत्र गत्वा महीपाल ब्रह्मा देवादिभिर्वृतः ॥ २९ ॥

Placing Mohinī in front, he went into the presence of the dvija (Brahmin). Having gone there, O King, Brahmā was seen surrounded by the gods and other divine beings.

Verse 30

महता गौरवेणापि नमश्चक्रे स्वयं विधिः । भूप रुद्रादिदेवैस्तु पूज्यो मान्यः पितामहः ॥ ३० ॥

Even Vidhi—Brahmā himself—offered obeisance with great reverence. Pitāmaha is indeed worthy of worship and honor by kings and by deities such as Rudra.

Verse 31

मोहिनीप्रीतये मुग्धः स्वयं चक्रे नमस्क्रियाम् । कार्ये महति संप्राप्ते ह्यसाध्ये भुवनत्रये ॥ ३१ ॥

Infatuated and deluded, he himself offered an act of obeisance to please Mohinī—when a great task had arisen, one deemed impossible to accomplish in the three worlds.

Verse 32

न दूषितं भवेद्भूप यविष्ठस्याभिवादनम् । स द्विजो वेदवेदांगपरगस्तपसि स्थितः ॥ ३२ ॥

O King, saluting one who is younger is not deemed improper. That dvija has mastered the Veda and the Vedāṅgas and remains established in tapas, sacred austerity.

Verse 33

संप्रेक्ष्य लोककर्तारं देवैः सह समागतम् । समुत्थाय नमश्चक्रे ब्रह्माणं तान्मुनीन्सुरान् ॥ ३३ ॥

Seeing Brahmā—the creator of the worlds—arrived together with the gods, he rose and bowed in reverence to Brahmā, and also to those sages and deities.

Verse 34

वासयामास भक्त्या च स्तुतिं चक्रेऽब्जजन्मनः । ततः प्रसन्नो भगवान् लोककर्त्ता जगद्गुरुः ॥ ३४ ॥

With devotion he offered reverent hospitality and composed a hymn of praise to the Lotus-born (Brahmā). Then the Blessed Lord—the Creator of the worlds, the Guru of the universe—became pleased.

Verse 35

ते द्विजं प्रार्थयामासुर्मोहिन्यर्थे नृपार्चितम् । तात विप्र सदाचार परलोकोपकारक ॥ ३५ ॥

They entreated that dvija (brāhmaṇa), honoured by the king, for the sake of the enchanting Mohinī: “Dear brāhmaṇa, of good conduct, benefactor of the next world for others!”

Verse 36

कृपां कुरु कृपासिंधो मोहिनीगतिदो भव । मया संप्रेषिता ब्रह्मन् रुक्मांगदविमोहने ॥ ३६ ॥

Show compassion, O ocean of mercy; become the one who grants the right course and remedy concerning Mohinī. O Brahman, I have been sent to dispel Rukmāṅgada’s delusion.

Verse 37

सुता मे यमलोकं तु शून्यं दृष्ट्वा च मानद । वैकुंठं संकुलं प्रेक्ष्य लोकैः सर्वैर्निराकुलैः ॥ ३७ ॥

“My son, O giver of honor, upon seeing Yama’s realm lying empty, and beholding Vaikuṇṭha crowded with beings from all the worlds—yet all of them free from distress—I understood the supremacy of Viṣṇu’s abode.”

Verse 38

मनसोत्पादिता देवी देवानां हितकारिणी । निशामय धरादेव यद्ब्रवीमि तवाग्रतः ॥ ३८ ॥

O lord of the earth, listen: the Goddess—born of the mind and working for the welfare of the gods—now proclaims before you what I am about to say.

Verse 39

गतिं धर्मस्यातिसूक्ष्मां लोककल्याणकारिणीम् । अनया निकषाश्यांग्या परीक्ष्य स्वर्णभूषणः ॥ ३९ ॥

The course of dharma is exceedingly subtle, yet it brings welfare to the world. As a gold ornament is tested by a touchstone, so should it be examined by this standard of discernment.

Verse 40

सदारः ससुतो ब्रह्मन्प्रापितो हरिमंदिरम् । राज्ञाऽप्रहतया भक्त्या हरिवासरपालनात् ॥ ४० ॥

O Brāhmaṇa, together with his wife and son, he was led to the temple of Hari—because the king, with unwavering devotion, had faithfully observed Hari’s sacred day (Harivāsara).

Verse 41

कृतं शून्यं यमस्थानं लिपिमार्जनकर्मणा । देवापकारो विप्रर्षे न क्षमो बाहुजन्मना ॥ ४१ ॥

By the act of wiping away the written record, the place of Yama has been made empty. O brahmin-sage, an offense against the gods is not forgiven—even after many births.

Verse 42

भूसुराणां विशेषेणं यातास्ते तत्सहायकाः ॥ ४२ ॥

Those attendants—acting as his helpers—went forth, with special focus toward the Bhūsūras (the Brahmins).

Verse 43

न प्राप्यते साङ्घ्यविदा तु यच्च नाष्टांगयोगेन तु भक्तिगम्यम् । तत्प्रापितं भूसुर भूपभर्तुर्निजस्य पुत्रस्य तथा सपत्न्याः ॥ ४३ ॥

That which is not attained by Sāṅkhya-knowledge, nor by the discipline of aṣṭāṅga-yoga, yet is reached through bhakti—O brāhmaṇa—was attained by the king, by his own son, and likewise by his co-wife.

Verse 44

यत्पुण्यशीलस्य नृपस्य भूपशिरोमणेराचरितं प्रतीपम् । तत्पापवेगेन बभूव विद्रुता भस्मावशेषा तव शापदग्धा ॥ ४४ ॥

That hostile deed committed against the virtuous king—the crest-jewel among rulers—by the sheer rush of its own sin brought about your ruin; burned by your curse, you have been reduced to mere ashes.

Verse 45

देवार्थमेषा भववर्द्धनार्थँ नृपोपकाराय च संप्रवृत्ता । न स्वार्थकामा लभतेऽवमानं कथं द्विजातोऽपकृतिं क्षमस्व ॥ ४५ ॥

This undertaking is set in motion for the sake of the gods, for the increase of prosperity, and for the welfare of the king. One who is not driven by selfish desire does not incur dishonor—so how could a twice-born person ever tolerate an injury done to dharma?

Verse 46

दयां कुरुष्व प्रशमं भजस्व पिष्टस्य पेषो नहि नीतियुक्तः । शापप्रदानेननिपातितेयं कुरु प्रसादं गतिदो भवत्वम् । यस्मिन्कृते ब्राह्मण मोहिनीयं बुद्धिं त्यजेत्क्रूरतरां त्वयीज्ये ॥ ४६ ॥

Show compassion and take refuge in calm restraint. Grinding what is already ground into flour is not in accord with righteous conduct. Since she has been cast down by the giving of a curse, show her grace—become the giver of refuge. Because of this, may the deluding and even more cruel intent that has arisen in the brāhmaṇa, directed toward your worship, be abandoned.

Verse 47

स एवमुक्तः कमलासनेन विमृश्य बुद्ध्या विससर्ज कोपम् । उवाच देवं त्रिदशाधिनाथं विमोहिनीदेहकृतं द्विजेंद्रः ॥ ४७ ॥

Thus addressed by the lotus-seated (Brahmā), the foremost of Brahmins reflected with discernment, cast aside his anger, and spoke to the divine lord of the gods—who had assumed the enchanting form (Mohinī).

Verse 48

बहुपापयुता देव मोहिनी तनया तव । न लोकेषु स्थितिस्तस्मात्प्राणिभिः संकुलेषु च ॥ ४८ ॥

O Deva, your daughter born of Mohinī is burdened with many sins; therefore she has no fitting place of abode in the worlds, especially in realms crowded with living beings.

Verse 49

मया विमृश्य सुचिरं मोद्दिन्यर्थँ विचिंतितम् । तद्दास्यमि तव प्रीत्या त्वं हि पूज्यतरो मम ॥ ४९ ॥

After reflecting for a long time, I have carefully considered what would delight you. I shall give that to you with affection, for you are indeed the most worthy of worship to me.

Verse 50

यथा तव वचः सत्यं मम चापि सुरेश्वर । देवकार्यं च भविता मोहिनीकृतत्यमेव च ॥ ५० ॥

O Lord of the gods, as your word is true, so too is mine. The divine task will surely be accomplished, and the act of becoming Mohinī will also certainly take place.

Verse 51

यन्नाक्रांतं हि भूतौघैस्तत्स्थाने मोहिनीस्थितिः । जंगमाजंगमैर्भूमिर्व्याप्ता द्वीपवती सदा ॥ ५१ ॥

Wherever the multitudes of beings have not advanced and occupied, in that very place Mohinī—the deluding power—takes her stand. The earth, ever marked by continents and islands, is pervaded by both moving and unmoving beings.

Verse 52

तलानि चापि दैत्याद्यैराकाशः पक्षिपूर्वकैः । नाकः सुकृतिभिर्जीवैर्नरकाः पापकर्मभिः ॥ ५२ ॥

The Talās, the nether regions, are inhabited by Daityas and the like; the sky is occupied by winged beings such as birds. Nāka, heaven, is attained by living beings endowed with merit, while the hells are reached by those whose deeds are sinful.

Verse 53

झषाद्यैः सागरा व्याप्ता नैष्वस्पृष्यास्थितिस्ततः । ततो ब्रह्मा सुरैः सर्वैः संमंत्र्य नृपसत्तम ॥ ५३ ॥

The oceans became filled with fishes and other aquatic beings, so that no safe passage through them was possible. Then Brahmā, O best of kings, consulted with all the gods.

Verse 54

उवाच मोहिनीं देवीं नास्ति स्थानं तव क्वचित् । तच्छ्रुत्वा मोहिनी वाक्यं पितुराज्ञाविधायिनी ॥ ५४ ॥

He said to the goddess Mohinī, “There is no place for you anywhere.” Hearing those words, Mohinī—ever intent on carrying out her father’s command—accepted them.

Verse 55

उवाच प्रणता सर्वान् हरिवासरनाशिनी । पुरोधसा समेतानो देवानां लोकसाक्षिणाम् ॥ ५५ ॥

Bowing to them all, she—who destroys the sin of transgressing Hari’s sacred day—spoke to the gods, the witnesses of the worlds, who had assembled together with their family priest.

Verse 56

भवतां त्रिदशश्रेष्ठा एष बद्धो मयांजलिः । प्रणिपातशतेनापि प्रसन्नेन हृदा सुराः ॥ ५६ ॥

O best among the thirty gods, behold—my hands are joined in reverence. O Devas, even with a hundred prostrations and with a heart made serene, I bow to you.

Verse 57

दातव्यं याचितं मंह्यं सर्वेषां प्रीतिकारकम् । एकादश्याः प्रभावेण सर्वेषां पापिनां गतिः ॥ ५७ ॥

Therefore, when asked, one should give—this brings delight to all. And by the power of Ekādaśī, even for all sinners there is a saving course, leading to a higher destination.

Verse 58

साध्यते तां सुरश्रेष्ठा वर्धितुं मे प्रयोजनम् । पतिः सपत्नी पुत्रश्च मया वैकुंठगाः कृताः ॥ ५८ ॥

O best among the gods, she can indeed be accomplished; my purpose is to increase her. My husband, his co-wife, and my son have been made bound for Vaikuṇṭha by me.

Verse 59

भूर्लोके विधवाद्याहं वर्तामि भवतां कृते । यथा हरिदिनं दुष्टं जायते मम मानदाः ॥ ५९ ॥

Here on the earth I live as one bereft, like a widow, for your sake—so that day after day the wickedness of the age may arise and be shown before me, O you who confer honor.

Verse 60

एतत्प्रयाचे ददत स्वार्थार्थं तद्धि नान्यथा ॥ ६० ॥

I ask only this: grant it—for it serves your own true interest; indeed, it cannot be otherwise.

Verse 61

इति श्रीबृहन्नारदीयपुराणोत्तरभागे मोहिनीचरिते षट्त्रिंशत्तमोऽध्यायः ॥ ३६ ॥

Thus ends the thirty-sixth chapter, “The Account of Mohinī,” in the Uttara-bhāga (Later Section) of the Śrī Bṛhan-Nāradīya Purāṇa.