Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 11
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
स त्वं समीहितमद: स्थितिजन्मनाशंभूतेहितं च जगतो भवबन्धमोक्षौ । वायुर्यथा विशति खं च चराचराख्यंसर्वं तदात्मकतयावगमोऽवरुन्त्से ॥ ११ ॥
sa tvaṁ samīhitam adaḥ sthiti-janma-nāśaṁ bhūtehitaṁ ca jagato bhava-bandha-mokṣau vāyur yathā viśati khaṁ ca carācarākhyaṁ sarvaṁ tad-ātmakatayāvagamo ’varuntse
Señor mío, Tú eres el conocimiento supremo personificado: conoces el origen, el sostén y la disolución de la creación, y conoces todos los empeños de las almas, por los cuales quedan atadas al saṁsāra o alcanzan la liberación. Así como el aire entra en el vasto cielo y también en los cuerpos de todo lo móvil e inmóvil, así Tú estás presente en todas partes y, por ello, lo sabes todo.
As stated in the Brahma-saṁhitā:
FAQs
This verse says the Lord is the source of both material bondage (bhava-bandha) and liberation (mokṣa), because He governs the entire cosmic process and grants results according to one’s consciousness and surrender.
In the Mohinī-mūrti episode, Lord Śiva offers prayers recognizing Viṣṇu’s supreme position—creator, maintainer, and dissolver—and admits that although the Lord pervades everything, His full nature is difficult to comprehend.
See life’s changes—creation, maintenance, and loss—as governed by the Lord, and seek freedom by aligning your will with His through devotion, humility, and steady spiritual practice rather than trying to control outcomes.