Shloka 24

Mohinī-mūrti Distributes Amṛta; Rāhu is Severed; Results Differ by Shelter

Devanagari script

देवलिङ्गप्रतिच्छन्न: स्वर्भानुर्देवसंसदि । प्रविष्ट: सोममपिबच्चन्द्रार्काभ्यां च सूचित: ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

deva-liṅga-praticchannaḥ svarbhānur deva-saṁsadi praviṣṭaḥ somam apibac candrārkābhyāṁ ca sūcitaḥ

Translation

देवलिङ्गप्रतिच्छन्न: स्वर्भानुर्देवसंसदि । प्रविष्ट: सोममपिबच्चन्द्रार्काभ्यां च सूचित: ॥ २४ ॥

Synonyms

• देव-लिङ्ग-प्रतिच्छन्नः: disguised in the form of a god
• देव-लिङ्ग-प्रतिच्छन्नः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रति + छद् (धातु) → प्रतिच्छन्न (क्त; कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; past passive participle (क्त): ‘covered/concealed by divine guise’

• स्वर्भानुः: Svarbhānu (Rāhu)
• स्वर्भानुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वर्भानु (प्रातिपदिक; नाम)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; proper noun

• देव-संसदि: in the gods’ assembly
• देव-संसदि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + संसद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (7th), Singular; ‘in the assembly of the gods’

• प्रविष्टः: having entered
• प्रविष्टः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + विश् (धातु) → प्रविष्ट (क्त; कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; past participle: ‘having entered’

• सोमम्: Soma / nectar
• सोमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• अपिबत्: he drank
• अपिबत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पा (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada

• चन्द्र-अर्काभ्याम्: by the Moon and the Sun
• चन्द्र-अर्काभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd), Dual (द्विवचन); ‘by the Moon and the Sun’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• सूचितः: was indicated / exposed
• सूचितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सूच् (धातु) → सूचित (क्त; कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; past passive participle: ‘pointed out/identified’

Purport

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Mohinī-mūrti, was able to bewilder all the demons, but Rāhu was so clever that he was not bewildered. Rāhu could understand that Mohinī-mūrti was cheating the demons, and therefore he changed his dress, disguised himself as a demigod, and sat down in the assembly of the demigods. Here one may ask why the Supreme Personality of Godhead could not detect Rāhu. The reason is that the Lord wanted to show the effects of drinking nectar. This will be revealed in the following verses. The moon and sun, however, were always alert in regard to Rāhu. Thus when Rāhu entered the assembly of the demigods, the moon and sun immediately detected him, and then the Supreme Personality of Godhead also became aware of him.

Characters & Entities

• Svarbhānu (Rāhu)
• Candra
• Arka (Sūrya)
• Devas

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Rāhu drinking amṛta?

This verse says Svarbhānu, disguised as a deva, entered the devas’ assembly and drank the nectar, but the Sun and Moon recognized him and exposed him.

Why did the Sun and Moon point out Svarbhānu (Rāhu)?

Because he had infiltrated the devas by disguise and was illicitly drinking the nectar; Candra and Sūrya identified him among them and revealed his presence.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Outer appearance can conceal inner intent; cultivate discernment and integrity, and avoid seeking spiritual “benefits” through deception.