Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 14
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
श्रीशुक उवाच एवमभ्यर्थितो विष्णुर्भगवान् शूलपाणिना । प्रहस्य भावगम्भीरं गिरिशं प्रत्यभाषत ॥ १४ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca evam abhyarthito viṣṇur bhagavān śūla-pāṇinā prahasya bhāva-gambhīraṁ giriśaṁ pratyabhāṣata
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī disse: Assim solicitado por Śiva, o portador do tridente, o Senhor Viṣṇu sorriu com serena gravidade e respondeu a Girīśa.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, is known as Yogeśvara. Yatra yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇaḥ . Mystic yogīs want to acquire some power by practicing the yoga system, but Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is known as the Supreme Lord of all mystic power. Lord Śiva wanted to see the Mohinī-mūrti, which was captivating the entire world, and Lord Viṣṇu was gravely thinking of how to captivate Lord Śiva also. Therefore the word bhāva-gambhīram is used here. The illusory, material energy is represented by Durgādevī, who is the wife of Girīśa, or Lord Śiva. Durgādevī could not captivate Lord Śiva’s mind, but now that Lord Śiva wanted to see Lord Viṣṇu’s feminine form, Lord Viṣṇu, by His mystic power, would assume a form that would captivate even Lord Śiva. Therefore Lord Viṣṇu was grave and at the same time was smiling.
FAQs
This verse shows Śiva respectfully petitioning Viṣṇu and Viṣṇu replying with composed gravity—highlighting mutual honor, with Viṣṇu as Bhagavān and Śiva as His great devotee.
The text indicates Viṣṇu smiled while remaining ‘bhāva-gambhīra’—suggesting He understood the deeper implication of Śiva’s request and responded with deliberate, meaningful intent within the unfolding Mohinī līlā.
Respond to requests with humility and clarity—like Viṣṇu’s calm, thoughtful reply—balancing friendliness (a smile) with seriousness of purpose (deep intent).