Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 17
Mohinī-mūrti Distributes Amṛta; Rāhu is Severed; Results Differ by Shelter
प्राङ्मुखेषूपविष्टेषु सुरेषु दितिजेषु च । धूपामोदितशालायां जुष्टायां माल्यदीपकै: ॥ १६ ॥ तस्यां नरेन्द्र करभोरुरुशद्दुकूल- श्रोणीतटालसगतिर्मदविह्वलाक्षी । सा कूजती कनकनूपुरशिञ्जितेन कुम्भस्तनी कलसपाणिरथाविवेश ॥ १७ ॥
prāṅ-mukheṣūpaviṣṭeṣu sureṣu ditijeṣu ca dhūpāmodita-śālāyāṁ juṣṭāyāṁ mālya-dīpakaiḥ
王よ、香の薫りに満ち、花輪と灯火で飾られた広間で、半神とディティジャが東を向いて座していたとき、その女が入って来た。比類なく美しい衣をまとい、低く重い腰のためにゆるやかに歩み、若さの驕りにより眼差しは落ち着かない。黄金の足鈴を鳴らしつつ、乳房は水壺のごとく、腿は象の鼻のごとく、手には水瓶を携えていた。
FAQs
Mohinī-mūrti is Lord Viṣṇu’s enchanting female form, who enters the assembly of devas and daityas to manage the distribution of amṛta (nectar) in a way that protects the devas and upholds dharma.
In the nectar episode, both parties temporarily cooperate after churning the ocean; this verse sets the scene of the shared assembly just as Viṣṇu, as Mohinī, arrives to take charge of the amṛta distribution.
The verse highlights that divine intelligence can resolve conflict and protect righteousness—teaching that dharma is preserved not only by strength, but also by clarity, strategy, and surrender to the Lord’s guidance.