Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 2
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच वृषध्वजो निशम्येदं योषिद्रूपेण दानवान् । मोहयित्वा सुरगणान्हरि: सोममपाययत् ॥ १ ॥ वृषमारुह्य गिरिश: सर्वभूतगणैर्वृत: । सह देव्या ययौ द्रष्टुं यत्रास्ते मधुसूदन: ॥ २ ॥
śrī-bādarāyaṇir uvāca vṛṣa-dhvajo niśamyedaṁ yoṣid-rūpeṇa dānavān mohayitvā sura-gaṇān hariḥ somam apāyayat
Disse Śukadeva Gosvāmī: Hari tomou a forma de uma mulher, encantou os asuras e permitiu que os devas bebessem o néctar. Ao ouvir isso, Śiva, Vṛṣadhvaja, cercado por bhūtas, foi com a deusa Umā ao lugar onde está Madhusūdana para contemplar essa forma feminina.
FAQs
It says Lord Hari assumed a woman’s form (Mohinī), bewildered the Dānavas, and enabled the demigods to drink the nectar safely—showing the Lord’s mastery over illusion and protection of the devas.
After hearing the account of Mohinī’s divine enchantment and the nectar’s distribution, Śiva (Vṛṣadhvaja) became curious to behold that extraordinary form of Hari, so he traveled with Pārvatī to where Viṣṇu was staying.
Even powerful beings can be deluded by captivating appearances; the verse encourages humility, vigilance over the senses, and taking shelter of the Lord’s guidance rather than trusting the mind’s fascination.