Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 1
Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Māyā, Cosmic Dissolution, Guru-Śaraṇāgati, Bhakti, and Deity Worship
श्रीराजोवाच परस्य विष्णोरीशस्य मायिनामपि मोहिनीम् । मायां वेदितुमिच्छामो भगवन्तो ब्रुवन्तु न: ॥ १ ॥
śrī-rājovāca parasya viṣṇor īśasya māyinām api mohinīm māyāṁ veditum icchāmo bhagavanto bruvantu naḥ
Le roi Nimi dit : Ô vénérables seigneurs, nous désirons connaître la māyā, la puissance illusoire du Seigneur Suprême Śrī Viṣṇu, qui égare même les grands mystiques. Je vous en prie, parlez-nous de ce sujet.
According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, in this chapter various saintly sons of Ṛṣabhadeva will speak about the illusory energy ( māyā ), the means for crossing beyond it, the characteristics of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and prescribed duties for human beings. The forty-eighth verse of the previous chapter stated, viṣṇor māyām idaṁ paśyan: “A devotee of Kṛṣṇa should see the entire universe to be the illusory potency of the Lord.” Therefore King Nimi is now pursuing this subject matter by requesting more detailed information from the saintly Yogendras.
FAQs
This verse introduces the topic by stating that the Supreme Lord Viṣṇu’s māyā is so powerful that it can bewilder even accomplished mystics, and King Nimi requests the sages to explain its nature.
As a sincere seeker of truth, King Nimi approaches the venerable sages to understand the Lord’s bewildering potency, setting the stage for their philosophical instruction on māyā and transcendence.
Recognizing that illusion can mislead even the intelligent encourages humility, careful discernment, and taking shelter of devotional wisdom rather than relying solely on ego, status, or intellectual pride.