Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 15
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
श्रीभगवानुवाच कौतूहलाय दैत्यानां योषिद्वेषो मया धृत: । पश्यता सुरकार्याणि गते पीयूषभाजने ॥ १५ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca kautūhalāya daityānāṁ yoṣid-veṣo mayā dhṛtaḥ paśyatā sura-kāryāṇi gate pīyūṣa-bhājane
Le Seigneur Suprême dit : Lorsque les asuras s’emparèrent de la cruche d’ambroisie, pour le bien des devas j’assumai la forme d’une belle femme afin de les tromper et de les égarer.
When the Supreme Personality of Godhead assumed the form of the beautiful woman Mohinī-mūrti, the demons were certainly captivated, but the demigods present were not. In other words, those who maintain a demoniac mentality are bewildered by the beauty of a woman, but those who are advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or even those on the platform of goodness, are not bewildered. The Supreme Personality of Godhead knew that because Lord Śiva is not an ordinary person, he cannot be bewildered even by the most beautiful woman. Cupid himself tried to invoke Lord Śiva’s lusty desires in the presence of Pārvatī, but Lord Śiva was never agitated. Rather, the blazing fire from Lord Śiva’s eyes turned Cupid to ashes. Therefore, Lord Viṣṇu had to think twice about what kind of beautiful form would bewilder even Lord Śiva. Consequently He was smiling gravely, as stated in the previous verse ( prahasya bhāva-gambhīram ). A beautiful woman generally cannot induce Lord Śiva to be lusty, but Lord Viṣṇu was considering whether there was any form of woman who could enchant him.
FAQs
In this verse, the Lord explains He assumed a female form (Mohinī) to engage the Daityas’ curiosity so that, while they were distracted, the demigods’ purpose was fulfilled and the nectar was secured for the suras.
In the narrative, Lord Śiva requests to see the Lord’s Mohinī form; the Lord then explains the intention behind that līlā—how it enabled the devas to obtain the amṛta while the asuras looked on.
The verse highlights that divine intelligence can redirect pride and distraction toward a higher outcome—encouraging devotees to trust that the Lord’s līlā protects dharma and fulfills the welfare of the righteous.