Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 28
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
सोऽनुव्रज्यातिवेगेन गृहीत्वानिच्छतीं स्त्रियम् । केशबन्ध उपानीय बाहुभ्यां परिषस्वजे ॥ २८ ॥
so ’nuvrajyātivegena gṛhītvānicchatīṁ striyam keśa-bandha upānīya bāhubhyāṁ pariṣasvaje
L’ayant poursuivie à toute vitesse, Śiva saisit la femme, bien qu’elle ne le voulût pas, par la tresse de ses cheveux, la tira près de lui, puis l’enlaça de ses bras.
FAQs
This verse describes how Śiva, overtaken by attraction, ran after Mohinī-mūrti and physically tried to seize and embrace her—showing the extraordinary power of Viṣṇu’s māyā even over great beings.
In this episode, Viṣṇu’s Mohinī form manifests divine illusion; Śiva becomes momentarily captivated, and the narrative demonstrates that only the Lord fully controls māyā.
It warns that powerful impulses can overwhelm even the accomplished; therefore one should cultivate humility, guard the senses, and take shelter of devotion to the Supreme Lord.