Text 35] Mohini-marti Bewilders Lord Siva 133

sarit—near the shores of the rivers; sarahsu—and near the lakes;
Sailesu—near the mountains; vanesu—in the forests; upavanesu—in
the gardens or small forests; ca—also; yatra—wherever; kva—any-
where; ca—also; dsan—were existing; rsayah—great sages; tatra—
there; sannihitah—was present; harah—Lord Siva.

TRANSLATION

Following Mohini, Lord Siva went everywhere—near the shores
of the rivers and lakes, near the mountains, near the forests, near
the gardens, and wherever there lived great sages.

PURPORT

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura remarks that Mohini-miarti
dragged Lord Siva to so many places, especially to where the great sages
lived, to instruct the sages that their Lord Siva had become mad for a
beautiful woman. Thus although they were all great sages and saintly
persons, they should not think themselves free, but should remain ex-
tremely cautious about beautiful women. No one should think himself
liberated in the presence of a beautiful woman. The sdstras enjoin:

matra svasré duhitra va
naviviktasano bhavet

balavan indriya-gramo
vidvarnsam api karsati

“One should not stay in a solitary place with a woman, even if she be his
mother, sister or daughter, for the senses are so uncontrollably powerful
that in the presence of a woman one may become agitated, even if he is

very learned and advanced.” (Bhag. 9.19.17)

TEXT 35
wee tafe ase VAT |
aeted TIE aTada HOTT 14

skanne retasi so ‘pasyad

atmanam deva-mayaya
