Shloka 16
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
तत्तेऽहं दर्शयिष्यामि दिदृक्षो: सुरसत्तम । कामिनां बहु मन्तव्यं सङ्कल्पप्रभवोदयम् ॥ १६ ॥
tat te ’haṁ darśayiṣyāmi didṛkṣoḥ sura-sattama kāmināṁ bahu mantavyaṁ saṅkalpa-prabhavodayam
హే సురసత్తమా! నీవు చూడదలచినందున, కామాసక్తులకు అత్యంత ప్రియమైన నా ఆ రూపాన్ని నీకు చూపుదును; ఎందుకంటే కామోదయం సంకల్పం నుండే పుడుతుంది.
Lord Śiva’s desiring to see Lord Viṣṇu reveal the most attractive and beautiful form of a woman was certainly a joking affair. Lord Śiva knew that he could not be agitated by any so-called beautiful woman. “The Daityas may have been bewildered,” he thought, “but since even the demigods could not be agitated, what to speak of me, who am the best of all the demigods?” However, because Lord Śiva wanted to see Lord Viṣṇu’s form as a woman, Lord Viṣṇu decided to impersonate a woman and show him a form that would immediately put him in an ocean of lusty desires. In effect, therefore, Lord Viṣṇu told Lord Śiva, “I will show you My form as a woman, and if you become agitated by lusty desires, do not blame Me.” The attractive features of a woman are appreciated by those who are affected by lusty desires, but those who are above such desires, who are on the platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, are very difficult to bewilder. Nonetheless, by the supreme desire of the Personality of Godhead, everything can be done. This was to be a test of whether Lord Śiva could remain unagitated.
FAQs
This verse teaches that lust’s upsurge is born from saṅkalpa—one’s own mental resolve and imagination—so guarding the mind is essential.
Because Śiva wished to see Viṣṇu’s Mohinī form, Viṣṇu agreed but cautioned that those influenced by desire should be especially careful, since the mind can generate powerful agitation.
Notice and redirect desire-fueling thoughts early—replace them with prayer, mantra, and purposeful engagement—since unchecked imagination can quickly grow into strong craving.