Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 12
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
अवतारा मया दृष्टा रममाणस्य ते गुणै: । सोऽहं तद्द्रष्टुमिच्छामि यत् ते योषिद्वपुर्धृतम् ॥ १२ ॥
avatārā mayā dṛṣṭā ramamāṇasya te guṇaiḥ so ’haṁ tad draṣṭum icchāmi yat te yoṣid-vapur dhṛtam
ಹೇ ಪ್ರಭು, ನಿನ್ನ ದಿವ್ಯ ಗುಣಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಆನಂದಿಸುತ್ತ ನೀನು ಪ್ರದರ್ಶಿಸಿದ ಎಲ್ಲ ಅವತಾರಗಳನ್ನು ನಾನು ನೋಡಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ಈಗ ನೀನು ಧರಿಸಿದ ಸ್ತ್ರೀರೂಪವನ್ನೂ ನಾನು ದರ್ಶನ ಮಾಡಲು ಬಯಸುತ್ತೇನೆ।
When Lord Śiva approached Lord Viṣṇu, Lord Viṣṇu inquired about the purpose for Lord Śiva’s coming there. Now Lord Śiva discloses his desire. He wanted to see the recent incarnation of Mohinī-mūrti, which Lord Viṣṇu had assumed to distribute the nectar generated from the churning of the Ocean of Milk.
FAQs
In Canto 8, Vishnu manifests as Mohini-murti; here Lord Shiva expresses his desire to see that feminine form which previously bewildered even great beings.
Shiva says he has already seen Vishnu’s avatars and relished His qualities, and now specifically wishes to behold the unique leela where Vishnu assumed a woman’s form (Mohini).
It reminds seekers that even exalted personalities are curious about divine līlā, and that fascination should be directed toward God’s qualities and pastimes rather than worldly attraction.