The Theft of Nectar and the Defeat of the Asuras
उद्गच्छतस्तव करादमृतं हरत्सु
दैत्येषु तानशरणाननुनीय देवान् ।
सद्यस्तिरोदधिथ देव भवत्प्रभावा-
दुद्यत्स्वयूथ्यकलहा दितिजा बभूवु: ॥१॥
udgachChatastava karaadamR^itaM haratsu
daityeShu taanasharaNaananuniiya devaan |
sadyastirOdadhitha deva bhavatprabhaavaat
udyatsvayuuthya kalahaa ditijaa babhuuvuH || 1 ||
Demons, also known as Daityas, quickly seized the nectar that Lord Vishnu, in his guise as Dhanwantari, was holding in his hands.
When the Devas sought refuge with the Lord, he offered them protection before disappearing to confuse the Asuras. The Asuras were left perplexed when Lord suddenly disappeared. This resulted in the Asuras engaging in internal conflicts with one another. Lord Vishnu’s tactic of avoiding direct conflict while the demons battled themselves is one that we can adopt. The best way to deal with conflicts is to remain calm and let the negative forces expend their energy on their own.
श्यामां रुचाऽपि वयसाऽपि तनुं तदानीं
प्राप्तोऽसि तुङ्गकुचमण्डलभंगुरां त्वम् ।
पीयूषकुम्भकलहं परिमुच्य सर्वे
तृष्णाकुला: प्रतिययुस्त्वदुरोजकुम्भे ॥२॥
shyaamaaM ruchaa(a)pi vayasaa(a)pi tanuM tadaaniiM
praaptO(a)si tungakuchamaNDala bhanguraaM tvam |
piiyuuSha kumbhakalahaM parimuchya sarve
tR^iShNaakulaaH pratiyayustvadurOjakumbhe || 2 ||
In that instant, Lord Jaganath changed into Mohini, who manifested as a captivating woman with dark skin, a youthful appearance, and sophisticated beauty. Mohini’s physical attributes increased her desirability to others. Mohini’s presence caused the Asuras to completely abandon their fight for the nectar, forgetting about the Amṛta. They gave up on Amrit because of their ravenous thirst and intense desire for Mohini’s beauty. Lord’s appearance as Mohini is a metaphor for the illusionary power (Māyā) that can divert even the strongest beings. Human nature demonstrates that individuals usually seek fleeting pleasures while ignoring sources of freedom and sustenance.
का त्वं मृगाक्षि विभजस्व सुधामिमामि-
त्यारूढरागविवशानभियाचतोऽमून् ।
विश्वस्यते मयि कथं कुलटाऽस्मि दैत्या
इत्यालपन्नपि सुविश्वसितानतानी: ॥३॥
kaa tvaM mR^igaakshi vibhajasva sudhaamimaam
ityaaruuDharaagavivashaanabhiyaachatO(a)muun |
vishvasyate mayi kathaM kulaTaa(a)smi daityaaH
ityaalapannapi suvishvasitaanataaniiH || 3 ||
Enchanted by Mohini’s beauty and overcome with passion, the Daityas (Asuras) gave up their nectar to her.
What beauty holds you to be O lady with two large eyes? The Daityas (Asuras) pleaded with her to give them some of the nectar.
Their request was met with laughter from Mohini, who said, “How can you trust me? I am just a woman.” Her declaration that “I am a mere woman” suggested that she was an erratic and unfaithful individual. Despite her clear warning, the Daityas gave Mohini the nectar without hesitation because they let their desire blind them. The scenario illustrates how fervent individuals frequently make poor decisions by failing to recognize obvious signs of dishonesty. We stray from true value when we pursue false value through social media, marketing, and outward appearances. Just as the Daityas did with Mohini in antiquity, people today exhibit the same heedless faith in untrue promises.
मोदात् सुधाकलशमेषु ददत्सु सा त्वं
दुश्चेष्टितं मम सहध्वमिति ब्रुवाणा ।
पङ्क्तिप्रभेदविनिवेशितदेवदैत्या
लीलाविलासगतिभि: समदा: सुधां ताम् ॥४॥
mOdaat sudhaakalasha-meShu dadatsu saa tvaM
dushcheShTitaM mama sahadhvamiti bruvaaNaa |
pankti prabheda viniveshita deva daityaa
liilaavilaasa gatibhissamadaassudhaaM taam ||4||
In Nārāyanīyam’s Daśakam 29 Shlokam 4, Mohini’s deception of the Daityas during the ocean churning is explained. With immense delight, Lord Achyuta (as Mohini) graciously agreed to serve the nectar to the gods and demons. “Bear with my mischief” was said by Lord (as Mohini) during the nectar distribution, in an attempt to make it seem like harmless fun. The Devas and Daityas were separated by the seating arrangement that Lord set up. Everyone was captivated by Mohini’s delicate and playful gestures, which made them incredibly eager to receive the nectar.
The verse demonstrates how, in leadership, business, and personal life, strategic planning based on wisdom yields better results than pure force. Lord Vishnu’s intelligent restoration of cosmic order serves as an example of how we can solve issues when we apply tactful, charming, and patient methods.
अस्मास्वियं प्रणयिणीत्यसुरेषु तेषु
जोषं स्थितेष्वथ समाप्य सुधां सुरेषु ।
त्वं भक्तलोकवशगो निजरूपमेत्य
स्वर्भानुमर्धपरिपीतसुधं व्यलावी: ॥५॥
asmaasviyaM praNayiniityasureShu teShu
jOShaM sthiteShvatha samaapya sudhaaM sureShu |
tvaM bhaktalOkavashagO nijaruupametya
svarbhaanumardhaparipiita sudhaM vyalaaviiH || 5||
The Asuras trusted in Mohini because they thought she was with them so they remained relaxed without suspicion. Amrita (nectar) was successfully distributed to the Devas during that period by Lord Vishnu in the form of Mohini. The Asura Svarbhanu, dressed as a Deva, tried to drink the nectar after stealing it.
The Lord then showed his original divine form. In order to keep the Asura from tasting the nectar, Lord exposed him after he realized the trick and then executed him by beheading. Similar to how Svarbhanu tried to cheat his way to immortality before being caught, those who attempt to achieve success through dishonest means are eventually exposed. Instead of achieving true victory by working hard and being morally upright, people usually resort to unethical means in order to obtain quick results and easy victories.
त्वत्त: सुधाहरणयोग्यफलं परेषु
दत्वा गते त्वयि सुरै: खलु ते व्यगृह्णन् ।
घोरेऽथ मूर्छति रणे बलिदैत्यमाया-
व्यामोहिते सुरगणे त्वमिहाविरासी: ॥६॥
tvattaH sudhaaharaNayOgyaphalaM pareShu
datvaa gate tvayi suraiH khalu te vyagR^ihNan |
ghOre(a)tha muurchChati raNe balidaityamaayaavyaamOhite
suragaNe tvamihaaviraasiiH || 6||
After giving nectar to deserving gods, Lord Vishnu vanished as the gods engaged in combat with enraged asuras who were upset that they had been denied nectar. The magical māyā power of Asur Bali and the Daityas caused the Devas to lose their composure during the fierce battle.
When you saw the Devas losing consciousness in combat, O Padmanabha, you came out a second time to protect them. According to the verse, success brings new challenges that call for being prepared to fight more battles. The Devas thought they had won after drinking Amrita, but they still had a tough fight ahead of them. Daityas’s captivating magic caused the Devas to become perplexed, illustrating how intelligent people can succumb to delusions and false realities. Since manipulation occurs frequently and there is a constant supply of false information and distractions in modern society, one must be vigilant against these dangers and seek out accurate information.
त्वं कालनेमिमथ मालिमुखाञ्जघन्थ
शक्रो जघान बलिजम्भवलान् सपाकान् ।
शुष्कार्द्रदुष्करवधे नमुचौ च लूने
फेनेन नारदगिरा न्यरुणो रणं त्वं ॥७॥
tvaM kaalanemimatha maalimukhaanjaghantha
shakrO jaghaana balijambhavalaan sapaakaan |
shuShkaardra duShkaravadhe namuchau cha luune
phenena naaradagiraa nyaruNO raNaM tvam || 7 ||
The Nārāyanīyam (Daśakam 29, Shlokam 7) verse describes how Indra vanquished the formidable Asuras Bali, Jambha, Vala, and Pāka at the same time that Lord Vishnu vanquished Kālanemi and his companions. Namuchi was given divine protection that made him impervious to both wet and dry weapons, but he ultimately perished when Lord Vishnu, used foam (phena) as weapon, as foam exists between the wet and dry states. Lord later put an end to the war at Nārada Muni’s request. This sloka demonstrates how Lord Vishnu overcame insurmountable obstacles by applying his divine wisdom. The verse shows that wisdom is as important as strength, that righteousness never fades, and that seeking advice from enlightened people helps us get through the most trying times in life.
योषावपुर्दनुजमोहनमाहितं ते
श्रुत्वा विलोकनकुतूहलवान् महेश: ।
भूतैस्समं गिरिजया च गत: पदं ते
स्तुत्वाऽब्रवीदभिमतं त्वमथो तिरोधा: ॥८॥
yOShaa vapurdanujamOhanamaahitaM te
shrutvaa vilOkana kutuuhalavaan maheshaH |
bhuutaissamaM girijayaa cha gataH padaM te
stutvaa(a)braviidabhimataM tvamathO tirOdhaaH ||8||
In the text, it is explained how Lord Shiva became intrigued by the captivating female form of Lord Vishnu (Mohini), which had perplexed the demons. After visiting Vaikunta with Goddess Parvati and his entourage, Lord Shiva paid respect to Vishnu before submitting his request. The wish was granted by Lord Vishnu before he disappeared. The divine bond between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu demonstrates how Lord Vishnu’s mystic power attracts the greatest of all divine beings. Through this sloka, Māyā demonstrates its ability to captivate even the most enlightened people, thereby affirming both the transient nature of worldly attractions and the supremacy of God. Both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are different forms of the Supreme Reality; Shiva represents renunciation, while Vishnu represents preservation.
आरामसीमनि च कन्दुकघातलीला-
लोलायमाननयनां कमनीं मनोज्ञाम् ।
त्वामेष वीक्ष्य विगलद्वसनां मनोभू-
वेगादनङ्गरिपुरङ्ग समालिलिङ्ग ॥९॥
aaraamasiimani cha kandukaghaataliilaa
lOlaayamaana nayanaaM kamaniiM manOj~naam |
tvaameSha viikshya vigaladvasanaaM manObhuuve
gaadanangaripuranga samaalilinga || 9 ||
In Shlokam 9 of Nārāyanīyam’s Daśakam 29, Lord Vishnu is described as Mohini, who enchants everyone with her exquisite and graceful dance while playing with a ball in a garden. After seeing the captivating Mohini form, Lord Shiva, who was known for his ability to control desire and for having previously burned Kāma to ashes, gave in to intense love. Since even the most enlightened beings have fleeting worldly emotions, this story teaches us that illusion serves as a part of divine play. Lord Shiva’s brief romantic impulse serves as the lesson that we should not let ephemeral desires define who we are because they highlight our innate affinity for material attachments. This sloka lays out three fundamental lessons: humility, awareness of divine illusions, and self-awareness for transcending worldly desires.
भूयोऽपि विद्रुतवतीमुपधाव्य देवो
वीर्यप्रमोक्षविकसत्परमार्थबोध: ।
त्वन्मानितस्तव महत्त्वमुवाच देव्यै
तत्तादृशस्त्वमव वातनिकेतनाथ ॥१०॥
bhuuyO(a)pi vidrutavatiimupadhaavya devO
viirya pramOksha vikasatparamaarthabOdhaH |
tvanmaanitastava mahatvamuvaacha devyai
tattaadR^ishastvamava vaataniketanaatha ||10||
After seeing Lord Vishnu’s form of Mohini, Lord Shiva is shown in this sloka from Nārāyanīyam (Daśakam 29, Shlokam 10) regaining his supreme awareness (paramārtha-bodha) because this experience helped him comprehend the transient nature of Māyā the illusion. Following Mohini’s disappearance, Shiva regains his divine awareness and shares with Pārvatī his realization that even the most accomplished ascetic can experience a brief period of illusion before attaining enlightenment. This incident illustrates the human condition, showing how even enlightened individuals can succumb to worldly temptations before realizing that all illusions are fleeting in the face of the eternal truth of the Divine. This verse is a prayer to Lord Vishnu, who the Lord of Vaikuntha, asking Him to grant His divine blessings so that people can overcome their material illusions and achieve spiritual enlightenment.
Click here to read the Narayaneeyam Dhyana Slokam and immerse yourself in its divine verses, invoking peace, devotion, and spiritual enlightenment.