Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 24

Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī

Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power

Devanagari script

एवं तां रुचिरापाङ्गीं दर्शनीयां मनोरमाम् । द‍ृष्ट्वा तस्यां मनश्चक्रे विषज्जन्त्यां भव: किल ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

evaṁ tāṁ rucirāpāṅgīṁ darśanīyāṁ manoramām dṛṣṭvā tasyāṁ manaś cakre viṣajjantyāṁ bhavaḥ kila

Translation

Như vậy, Thượng đế Śiva nhìn thấy người nữ có ánh mắt liếc tuyệt mỹ, dung mạo khả ái và quyến rũ; nàng cũng nhìn Ngài. Nghĩ rằng nàng bị hấp dẫn bởi mình, tâm của Śiva lại càng bị nàng cuốn hút sâu đậm.

Synonyms

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of manner)

• ताम्: her
• ताम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative); एकवचन

• रुचिर-अपाङ्गीम्: having lovely sidelong glances
• रुचिर-अपाङ्गीम्: विशेषण (Qualifier of ‘ताम्’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रुचिर (विशेषण-प्रातिपदिक) + अपाङ्गिन्/अपाङ्गी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (descriptive)

• दर्शनीयाम्: worthy to be seen
• दर्शनीयाम्: विशेषण (Qualifier of ‘ताम्’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दर्शनीय (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √दृश्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण; ‘-नीय’ प्रत्यय (gerundive: fit to be seen)

• मनोरमाम्: charming
• मनोरमाम्: विशेषण (Qualifier of ‘ताम्’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनोरम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: पूर्वक्रिया (Absolutive; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive); पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having seen)

• तस्याम्: in her / toward her
• तस्याम्: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative); एकवचन

• मनः: mind
• मनः: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; एकवचन

• चक्रे: made/placed (his mind)
• चक्रे: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect); प्रथम-पुरुष; एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• विषज्जन्त्याम्: as she was clinging/attaching (to him)
• विषज्जन्त्याम्: विशेषण/सप्तमी-सम्बन्ध (Qualifier in locative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-√सञ्ज् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ/शानच्); स्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति; एकवचन; ‘तस्याम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण (locative absolute sense possible)

• भवः: Bhava (Śiva)
• भवः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भव (प्रातिपदिक; शिव-नाम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; एकवचन

• किल: indeed/it is said
• किल: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किल (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle; emphasis/hearsay)

Purport

Lord Śiva was observing every part of the woman’s body, and She was also glancing at him with restless eyes. Thus Śiva thought that She was also attracted to him, and now he wanted to touch Her.

Characters & Entities

• Bhava (Lord Śiva)
• Mohinī-mūrti (Lord Viṣṇu)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Mohinī-mūrti and illusion (māyā)?

This verse shows how Mohinī-mūrti’s captivating beauty can attract even Lord Śiva, illustrating the extraordinary potency of the Lord’s māyā and the need for spiritual vigilance.

Why did Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe Lord Śiva becoming attracted to Mohinī?

To highlight the Lord’s divine līlā and to teach that material attraction can arise even in exalted beings—therefore one should take shelter of bhakti and the Supreme Lord’s grace.

What is the practical application of this verse in modern life?

It cautions seekers to recognize the power of attraction and to consciously anchor the mind in devotion, disciplined conduct, and remembrance of God rather than being carried away by fleeting allurements.