Mohinī-prashna
The Question about Mohinī
अमतेन पुराणानां व्याहृतं यद्द्विजन्मना । क्षुद्रशास्त्रोपदेशेन लोलुपेन वरानने ॥ २ ॥
amatena purāṇānāṃ vyāhṛtaṃ yaddvijanmanā | kṣudraśāstropadeśena lolupena varānane || 2 ||
Ô dame au visage gracieux, ce qu’un deux-fois-né à l’intelligence immature—avide et porté vers des enseignements mesquins et inférieurs—a exposé au sujet des Purāṇa ne doit pas être tenu pour autorité.
Narada
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"raudra","emotional_journey":"Begins as a calm caution to the listener, then sharpens into a rebuke of greedy, petty instruction that misrepresents Purāṇic authority."}
It teaches viveka (discernment): spiritual authority is not based on birth or status, but on sound understanding, purity of motive, and fidelity to authentic śāstra.
Bhakti is protected by right guidance; the verse warns that greedy or poorly grounded instructors distort Purāṇic teaching, which can misdirect devotion away from its true, śāstra-aligned form.
It emphasizes śāstra-pramāṇa and correct upadeśa (instruction): one should rely on disciplined interpretation (supported by tools like Vyākaraṇa and Mīmāṃsā methods) rather than “kṣudra-śāstra” or superficial doctrines.