Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 37
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
तमविक्लवमव्रीडमालक्ष्य मधुसूदन: । उवाच परमप्रीतो बिभ्रत्स्वां पौरुषीं तनुम् ॥ ३७ ॥
tam aviklavam avrīḍam ālakṣya madhusūdanaḥ uvāca parama-prīto bibhrat svāṁ pauruṣīṁ tanum
เมื่อทอดพระเนตรเห็นพระศิวะสงบนิ่งและไม่กระดากอาย พระมธุสูทนะ (วิษณุ) ทรงยินดีอย่างยิ่ง แล้วทรงกลับสู่พระวรกายเดิมของพระองค์ และตรัสดังต่อไปนี้
Although Lord Śiva was aghast at the potency of Lord Viṣṇu, he did not feel ashamed. Rather, he was proud to be defeated by Lord Viṣṇu. Nothing is hidden from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for He is in everyone’s heart. Indeed, the Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (15.15) , sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaṁ ca: “I am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness.” Whatever happened had taken place under the direction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore there was no cause to be sorry or ashamed. Although Lord Śiva is never defeated by anyone, when defeated by Lord Viṣṇu he felt proud that he had such an exalted and powerful master.
FAQs
It says Lord Viṣṇu observed Śiva as unshaken and without shame, and being pleased, Viṣṇu resumed His own masculine form and spoke—highlighting Śiva’s steadiness after the bewildering Mohinī episode.
Because the Mohinī form was part of a divine līlā; after observing Śiva’s state, Viṣṇu ended that manifestation and returned to His own form to address him directly.
It emphasizes remaining steady and honest after emotional disturbance—regaining composure, dropping embarrassment, and returning to clarity so one can move forward with wisdom.