Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 19
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
आवर्तनोद्वर्तनकम्पितस्तन-प्रकृष्टहारोरुभरै: पदे पदे । प्रभज्यमानामिव मध्यतश्चलत्-पदप्रवालं नयतीं ततस्तत: ॥ १९ ॥
āvartanodvartana-kampita-stana- prakṛṣṭa-hāroru-bharaiḥ pade pade prabhajyamānām iva madhyataś calat- pada-pravālaṁ nayatīṁ tatas tataḥ
कन्दुकस्य पतनोत्पतनैः स्तनौ कम्पितौ; तयोर्भारात् सुमहाहारगुरुत्वाच्च पदे पदे तस्या मध्यं भङ्गमिव प्राप। प्रवालारुणकोमलपादौ तत्र तत्र चलतः सा नयती स्म।
FAQs
This verse poetically describes Mohinī’s captivating movements—Her swaying waist, coral-like feet, and graceful gait—showing how divine māyā can bewilder even great personalities.
In this narrative, Śiva witnesses the Lord’s extraordinary māyā through Mohinī-mūrti; the Lord’s pastime demonstrates that even exalted beings can be affected by illusion when the Supreme wills it.
The verse highlights how sense-attraction can pull the mind “from place to place”; devotees apply this by cultivating vigilance, regulated senses, and remembrance of the Supreme to avoid being led by temptation.