Shloka 41
नग्न-परिभाषा तथा देव-स्तोत्रपूर्वक मायामोह-उत्पत्ति
Defining ‘Nagna’ and the Devas’ Hymn Leading to Māyāmoha
इत्य् उक्तो भगवांस् तेभ्यो मायामोहं शरीरतः समुत्पाद्य ददौ विष्णुः प्राह चेदं सुरोत्तमान्
ity ukto bhagavāṃs tebhyo māyāmohaṃ śarīrataḥ samutpādya dadau viṣṇuḥ prāha cedaṃ surottamān
Thus addressed, the Blessed Lord Viṣṇu—bringing forth from his own being the power of delusive bewilderment (māyā-moha)—bestowed it upon them; and then the Supreme among the gods spoke these words to the foremost of the devas.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
Concept: Vishnu manifests from His own being a potency called māyā-moha, showing divine sovereignty over delusion as an instrument within cosmic governance.
Vedantic Theme: Maya
Application: Recognize that ‘māyā’ is not random chaos but a controlled force; cultivate humility and seek clarity through dharma and devotion to avoid being misled.
Vishishtadvaita: Māyā is presented as a śakti under the Lord’s control (not independent), supporting the Vishishtadvaita view of a real, governed universe dependent on Him.
Vishnu Form: Narayana
FAQs
This verse presents māyā-moha as a power that originates in Viṣṇu and can be bestowed to accomplish cosmic purposes—showing illusion as subordinate to the Supreme Lord’s governance, not independent of him.
Parāśara narrates that Viṣṇu actively generates and deploys māyā to guide beings (including devas) within the larger administration of the world, aligning events with dharma and the unfolding of the Manvantara order.
Viṣṇu is depicted as Bhagavān whose very being is the source of powers like māyā; this reinforces a Vaishnava view where the Supreme Reality remains sovereign even over delusion and its effects.