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
Ó rei, enquanto devas e diti-jas estavam sentados voltados para o leste, numa arena perfumada pelo incenso e adornada com guirlandas e lamparinas, aquela mulher entrou. Vestia um sari de beleza incomparável; caminhava lentamente por causa dos quadris baixos e pesados; seus olhos, inquietos pelo orgulho juvenil. Com o tilintar de tornozeleiras de ouro, avançou; seus seios eram como jarros, suas coxas como trombas de elefante, e trazia um pote de água na mão.
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.