Shloka 23

The Description of Mandara (Mandaropavarṇanam) in the Mohinī Narrative

Devanagari script

मोहिनीमुखनिर्गीतं गीतं सत्वविमोहनम् ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

mohinīmukhanirgītaṃ gītaṃ satvavimohanam || 23 ||

Translation

मोहिनীমुखनिर्गीतं गीतं, सत्त्वमपि विमोहयति—तादृशं सम्मोहनमन्त्रवत्॥२३॥

Word by Word

• mohinī-mukha-nirgītam: sung forth from Mohinī’s mouth
• mohinī-mukha-nirgītam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mohinī (प्रातिपदिक) + mukha (प्रातिपदिक) + nirgīta (कृदन्त; √gai/गै with nir-)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (पञ्चमी/तृतीया-भाव: मोहिन्याः मुखात् निर्गीतम्), भूतकृदन्त (PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (singular)

• gītam: the song
• gītam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gīta (कृदन्त; √gai/गै)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)

• satva-vimohanam: bewildering to beings
• satva-vimohanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: satva (प्रातिपदिक) + vimohana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: सत्त्वानां विमोहनम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (singular)

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Purana in a mahatmya/tirtha context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

• Mohini

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It highlights the extraordinary potency of māyā—so strong that even a “sattvic” mind can be captivated—prompting the listener to seek steadiness through dharma and devotion rather than sensory fascination.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

By showing how easily the mind can be deluded by enchanting appearances and speech, the verse indirectly emphasizes bhakti as a stabilizing refuge—anchoring attention in the Lord rather than in मोहिनी-like attractions.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is directly taught in this line; the practical takeaway is ethical-psychological: guard the senses and mind (indriya-nigraha) against fascination that disrupts discernment.