Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 9
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
त्वां ब्रह्म केचिदवयन्त्युत धर्ममेकेएके परं सदसतो: पुरुषं परेशम् । अन्येऽवयन्ति नवशक्तियुतं परं त्वांकेचिन्महापुरुषमव्ययमात्मतन्त्रम् ॥ ९ ॥
tvāṁ brahma kecid avayanty uta dharmam eke eke paraṁ sad-asatoḥ puruṣaṁ pareśam anye ’vayanti nava-śakti-yutaṁ paraṁ tvāṁ kecin mahā-puruṣam avyayam ātma-tantram
Wahai Tuhan, sebahagian penganut Vedānta memandang Engkau sebagai Brahman nirguna; para Mīmāṁsaka memandang Engkau sebagai Dharma itu sendiri. Para Sāṅkhya mengenal Engkau sebagai Purusha Tertinggi yang melampaui prakṛti dan puruṣa serta penguasa para dewa. Para bhakta Pañcarātra memuja Engkau sebagai Yang Maha Tinggi dengan sembilan śakti, dan para yogi Patañjali memandang Engkau sebagai Peribadi Tuhan Yang Maha Agung, merdeka, kekal, tiada yang setara atau lebih tinggi.
FAQs
This verse explains that seekers perceive the same Supreme Truth in different ways—some as impersonal Brahman, others as dharma, and others as the Supreme Person (Puruṣa, Pareśa) who transcends both cause and effect.
After being bewildered by Viṣṇu’s Mohinī form, Lord Śiva offers prayers acknowledging that the Lord is understood variously, yet remains the one independent Supreme Reality beyond all limited conceptions.
Practice humility in spiritual learning: honor sincere approaches while deepening devotion to the Supreme Lord, recognizing that partial realizations can mature into fuller understanding through bhakti.