Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 38
Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī
Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power
श्रीभगवानुवाच दिष्टया त्वं विबुधश्रेष्ठ स्वां निष्ठामात्मना स्थित: । यन्मे स्त्रीरूपया स्वैरं मोहितोऽप्यङ्ग मायया ॥ ३८ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca diṣṭyā tvaṁ vibudha-śreṣṭha svāṁ niṣṭhām ātmanā sthitaḥ yan me strī-rūpayā svairaṁ mohito ’py aṅga māyayā
พระผู้เป็นเจ้าตรัสว่า: โอ ผู้ประเสริฐที่สุดในหมู่เทวะ นับว่าเป็นมงคลที่ท่านยังตั้งมั่นอยู่ในความแน่วแน่ของตนด้วยกำลังแห่งตนเอง แม้จะถูกมายาของเรา—ซึ่งสำแดงเป็นรูปสตรี—ทำให้หลงใหลอย่างยิ่งก็ตาม ขอความสวัสดีมงคลทั้งปวงจงมีแก่ท่าน
Since Lord Śiva is the best of the demigods, he is the best of all devotees ( vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ ). His exemplary character was therefore praised by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who gave His benediction by saying, “May all good fortune be upon you.” When a devotee becomes a little proud, the Supreme Lord sometimes exhibits His supreme power to dissipate the devotee’s misunderstanding. After being amply harassed by Lord Viṣṇu’s potency, Lord Śiva resumed his normal, unagitated condition. This is the position of a devotee. A devotee should not be agitated under any circumstances, even in the worst reverses. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (6.22), yasmin sthito na duḥkhena guruṇāpi vicālyate: because of his full faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, a devotee is never agitated, even in the greatest trials. This pridelessness is possible only for the first-class devotees, of whom Lord Śambhu is one.
FAQs
It teaches that māyā can bewilder even exalted beings like Lord Śiva, yet true greatness is shown by returning to one’s steady spiritual resolve (niṣṭhā) and not losing one’s essential position.
After appearing as Mohinī-mūrti, Lord Viṣṇu acknowledges Śiva’s momentary bewilderment and praises him for remaining fundamentally steady—framing the event as a demonstration of māyā’s power and the virtue of steadfastness.
When distraction or temptation arises, recognize it as māyā’s pull, pause, and re-anchor yourself in your chosen dharmic practices—prayer, mantra, self-discipline, and accountability—returning to your core vows rather than surrendering to impulse.