Shloka 40
Brahmā’s Discourse to Mohinī
Harivāsara, Desire, and the Satya-Test of Rukmāṅgada
पीतं हि मद्यं मनुजेन नाथ करोति मोहं सुविचक्षणस्य । स्मृता च दृष्टा युवती नरेण विमोहयेदेव सुराधिका हि ॥ ४० ॥
pītaṃ hi madyaṃ manujena nātha karoti mohaṃ suvicakṣaṇasya | smṛtā ca dṛṣṭā yuvatī nareṇa vimohayedeva surādhikā hi || 40 ||
Car, ô Seigneur, lorsqu’un homme boit une liqueur enivrante, elle jette le trouble même sur l’esprit le plus clairvoyant. Et une jeune femme—qu’on s’en souvienne ou qu’on ne fasse que la voir—peut, en vérité, l’égarer plus encore que le vin.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a didactic dialogue on self-control)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It warns that moha (delusion) can overpower even the intelligent through intoxication and sense-objects, so spiritual life requires vigilance and restraint to protect discrimination (viveka).
Bhakti depends on steadiness of mind; the verse highlights obstacles—intoxication and sensual fascination—that disturb remembrance and concentration, thereby weakening sustained devotion and japa/smaraṇa.
No specific Vedanga is taught directly; the practical takeaway is dharmic discipline—avoiding surā and regulating the senses—which supports ritual purity and focused mantra practice.