10 - Manifestation of Mohini:

Hayagriva said: 

1. Then, on being accepted and assisted by lord Vishnu of great might, the exceedingly courageous Devas with Mahendra ns their leader, became highly delighted. 

2. Malaka and other Daityas had become adversely disposed towards Vishnu, so they were abandoned by Shri (the goddess of glory and fortune). Hence, they were extremely dejected. 

3. So the Daityas snatched away the golden vessel that contained the excellent essence of nectar and that had been held in his hands by Dhanvantari. Thereat a violent dispute arose between the Asuras and Devas. 

4. In the meantime, Vishnu, the sole protector of all the worlds, earnestly propitiated Lalita² whose form was in union with his own.

2. This being the glorious story of Lalita, Vishnu is shown to have propitiated Lalita to assume the enchanting form of Mohini. No other Purana mentions this.

5. On seeing the dreadful battle between the Suras and Asuras, Brahma went back to his own region and Shambhu remained in Kailasa.

6. Vrusha (Indra) fought with Malaka, the leader of the Daityas. All the Suras fought with Asuras. 

7. The lord (Vishnu), the leader of Yogins, propitiated Maheshvari. By meditating solely on her, he became identical in form with her. 

8. She fascinated and enchanted everyone. She was the very heroine incarnate of the sentiment of love. She was richly-clad in a seductively charming dress and she was bedecked with all ornaments. 

9. After stopping the terrific battle between the Suras and Asuras, she enchanted the Daityas with her smile and said: 

10. "Enough of fighting. Of what avail are the weapons, that tear and pierce the vulnerable points? Of what avail are vain and harsh utterances that cause parched throats? 

11. I myself shall be the impartial Mediator between you and the heaven-dwellers. Both you and these Devas have worked strenuously in this enterprise. 

12. I shall distribute this wonderful nectar equally among all of you. The excellent vessel of nectar should be handed over to me". 

13. On hearing those words of hers, the Daityas were deluded by her utterances. Foolishly they gave the vessel of nectar to her. 

14. That lady of exquisite beauty that could fascinate the entire universe, made separate rows of seats for the Suras and Asuras. 

15. Standing in between the two rows she spoke to the Suras and Asuras-"All of you be quiet. Everything will be given by me in due order". 

16. All of them unanimously accepted her statement. That lady powerful enough to delude the entire world, began to destribute. 

17. She made clinking sounds with her golden ladle. The auspicious bangles jingled and tinkled. Equipped with beautiful ornaments, she shone like the most exquisite of all fine arts. 

18. In her beautiful left hand that resembled a lotus, the pot of nectar shone brilliantly. At the outset, she served the nectar in the row of the Devas by means of her ladle. 

19. Even as she was serving thus in due order, Sairrihikeya (Rahu) who was sitting in the middle of the row of Devas) was pointed out to her by the moon and the sun. She cut him off with the hand holding the ladle. His head alone that had consumed the nectar went over to the sky. 

20. Even after seeing it, the Asuras who were deluded remained quiet. In this manner, she distributed the entire quantity of nectar among the Devas. She placed the vessel in front of the Asuras and vanished. 

21. On seeing the empty vessel, all the Daityas and Danavas became excessively furious. They desired to fight too. 

22. Indra and all other Suras had become stronger due to their imbibing the nectar. With their weapons they fought the weaker Asuras. 

23. On being hit and pierced by the excellent Suras, hundreds of leading Danavas went to the ends of quarters and many went to the Patala. 

24. The lord of the Devas who was glanced at (favourably) by the goddess Shri, conquered the Daitya named Malaka and got back his own glory. 

25. After regaining his throne, Mahendra, the conqueror of demons, protected the three worlds as before, duly attended by the Suras. 

26. As before, all the Devas roamed about as they pleased without fear, in the three worlds consisting of mobile and immobile beings. They were delighted in their minds for ever. 

27. After observing these activities of Mohini, sage Narada, who was surprised very much and who used to move about as he pleased, went to Kailasa. 

28. He was permitted by Nandin to go in. He bowed down to Parameshvara (god Shiva). On being duly received by that lord, he was gratified and he took his seat. 

29. When the sage who habitually sported about as he pleased, was seated, the great lord, the consort of Parvati, fair in complexion like crystal, asked him.

30. "O holy lord conversant with everything that has taken place, o divine sage who have sanctified the seat you occupy, O sage fond of provoking quarrels, what about the tidings there of the heaven-dwellers? 

31. Who has won, the party of Suras or that of Asuras? What is the news regarding the Nectar? What is being done by Vishnu?" 

32. On being asked thus by Mahesha, the excellent sage Narada who was extremely delighted and surprised spoke. 

Narada said: 

33. "O lord, you know everything because you are omniscient. Still, everything will be reported by me now, since I have been asked by you. 

34. When such a terrible battle took place between the Daityas and the heaven-dwellers, Adinarayana of glorious brilliance assumed the form of Mohini. 

35. On seeing that lady wearing grand splendid ornaments, the very embodiment of the sentiment of Love and Romantic feelings, the Suras and Asuras desisted from their active fighting. 

36. The Daityas who were deluded by her Maya, were requested (to hand back) the vessel of nectar. Immediately they gave it to her and made her the arbitrator. 

37. After receiving it with a captivating smile, that goddess distributed the entire quantity of nectar among the Devas. 

38. Not being able to see her because she had vanished and finding the vessel (of nectar) empty, the Daityas became furious. They with their faces blazing (flushed) with anger, rose once again to fight. 

39. Since they had imbibed nectar, the immortal ones became more powerful with excessive exploits. Defeated by them and almost destroyed by them, the great Daityas went down to Patala." 

40-41. On hearing about this episode, the immutable lord of Bhavani hurriedly sent away Narada. Musing constantly on what he (Narada) reported to him and being wonderstruck, he, accompanied by Parvati, but unknown to all his attendants (Pramathas) and (even) to Nandin, Skanda and Vinayaka, approached Vishnu. 

42. On seeing Lord Shiva accompanied by his consort riding his vehicle (the bull) arrived at the shore of the (milky) ocean, Vishnu got up from his seat, the body o* the serpent (Shesa) and came over to him. 

43-44. After getting down from his vehicle, Isha stood there accompanied by Parvati. On seeing him Achyuta, Vistarashravas, (i.e., Vishnu) hastened to him. He received him duly with materials of welcome and worship. With great joy and love, he. embraced the consort of Bhavani very closely and asked him the purpose of his visit. 

45-46. Mahadeva requested him – "O lord Purushottama, O glorious Lord and master of great Yogic practice, show me that beautiful form of excellent magnificence, charming in every respect, which had been assumed by you-the form that bewitched and fascinated everyone, and which surpassed the power of the mind (imagination) and of speech (being beyond description). 

47. I wish to see that form of yours which is the presiding deity of the sentiment of love. It should, by all means, be seen by me. Indeed, you are like the divine cow that yields everything that is sought." 

48-49. On being repeatedly requested thus by Mahadeva, Hari the lord and master of great yogic practice, meditated with single-minded devotion on that (supreme deity), by meditating on whom that matchlessly miraculous form had been obtained by him (before). Smiling a little, he said, -"Be it so" and then vanished. 

50. Sharva repeatedly sent his glances all round. Then he saw a beautiful garden in a certain place, the like of which had never been seen before. 

51. The bees were drinking honey and amusing themselves among rows and rows of full-blown blossoms. The quarters were rendered fragrant by the sweet smell from bunches of Campaka (Michelia Champaka) flowers. 

52. Cuckoos were revelling and fluttering (by imbibing) the liquor-like nectar from bunches of mango blossoms. Peacocks were engaged in dancing sports among stumps of Ashoka trees. 

53. The humming sound of the swarms of bees appeared to be superior to the note of lutes. The garden shone brilliantly on account of Patali (Trumpet flowers) red in colour and having excessive fragrance. 

54. It had an elegant charm with the clusters of the flowers of Tamala (xanthochymus pictorius), Tala (palm tree) and Hintala (Phoenix) appearing like a garland. It was well-decorated by means of unsplit splendour and magnificence of lotus blossoms in the ponds along the borders. 

55. It abounded in full blown flowers and beautiful sprouts moving gracefully in the gentle breeze. It was rendered fragrant by the continued flow of sweet smell of flowers therein that excelled even the flowers of heavenly tree Santana. 

56. A beautiful woman was seen at the foot of a Parijata tree, there in that garden full of flowers and pleasing to the minds of all people. 

57. She was reddish fair in complexion like the rising sun. She was proud of her fresh youthfulness. (Defective text). Her feet, nails and lips were excellent and ruby-coloured. 

58. By profuse application of the splendid red dye and lac, her feet were blood-red in colour. She was very charming with lotus-like feet adorned with anklets producing sweet tinkling notes. 

59. Her shanks were capable of suppressing the pride of the quiver of the hero Ananga (Lord of Love). She shone charmingly with her thighs resembling the trunk of an elephant as well as the stem of a plantain tree in complexion (as well as shape). 

60. Her excellent buttocks were covered with a soft glossy silk of very fine texture and pink colour. She was very brilliant in appearance with big hips and loins. 

6.1. A Golden girdle studded with freshly cut ruby stones heightened her beauty. From her navel of deep, depression resembling a deep eddy, the beautiful lustre of her Trivali (skin in three folds considered to be a symbol of beauty) rose up-like waves. 

62- Hundreds of pearl necklaces covered her breasts resembling buds about to burst open and moved about as if in swing. Her frail waist was pressed down by her weighty and excessively plump breasts. 

63. She had arms tender like the Shirisa (Acacia Sirissa) flowers. She was bedecked in bangles and bracelets. In her fingers she had rings. Her neck was beautiful like the well-polished conch-shell. 

64-65. Her chin was curved and shone like a mirror. Her lips were red in colour. Her bright shining white teeth were set in beautiful rows. They resembled the moon. They had the lustre of jasmine bud. She appeared to reveal and radiate moonlight. She shone with nose-rings¹ with big pearls.

1. The mention of nose-ring shows that this work (Lalitopakhyina) must be later than the 10th cent. A.D. (P. K. Gode had adduced adequate evidence to prove this). Rock-cut temples and frescos of pre-10th cent, period do not show nose-rings.

66. Her braid of hair tied up neatly and adorned with the inner petals of Ketaka flowers shone well. Her eyes were long and fascinating. Her forehead resembled half the disc of the Moon. Her beautiful forelocks were neatly arranged. 

67. Her ears were adorned with earings studded with rubies beautifying the tips of the ears. The betel leaf preparation that she was chewing was rendered fragrant by scented juice, champhor and musk. 

68. Her face was as sweet as the disc of beautiful autumnal moon; the mark on her forehead made of Kasthuri (musk) shone gorgeously. She had beautiful tresses of hair thickly grown and bluish black in colour. 

69-71. The saffron powder applied on the parting line in the middle of the head increased her lustre. Her ornament Uttamsa (a chaplet-like ornament worn on the crown of the head) shone like the digit of the moon. Her eyes were tremulous with excessive rapture. She was in extremely romantic and amorous guise bedecked in all sorts of ornaments. On seeing that lady engaged in playing with her ball with the jewels (jewelled ornaments like bangles etc) swinging to and from Ishvara (Shiva) immediately left Uma and ran after that lady. 

72. On seeing her beloved husband running thus, Uma was very much shaken by surprise. She censured herself and her beauty, overwhelmed with shame and envy, she stood there silently with the head bent down. 

73. Shiva caught Jier somehow and embraced her frequently. Shaking him off repeatedly, she too ran far away. 

74. Seizing her once again, Isha who was completely under the influence of the god of Love embraced her impetuously. His semen dropped down then. 

75. Mahashasta, the lord of great strength, was born therefrom. He was capable of dispelling the arrogance of many crores of leading Daityas. 

76. Due to the contact with the drops of that semen, O suppressor of Vindhya mountain, the earth assumed the colour of silver and gold instantly at different places. 

77. Similarly that deity Vishvamohini (the enchantress of the universe) vanished. Turning back in the company of Gauri. Girisha (Shiva) too went to his mountain. 

78. I shall tell you a wonderful thing, O husband of Lopamudra. Listen, this has been in my heart. It has never been revealed to anyone. 

79. Formerly, there was a demon named Bhandasura. He was the leader of all Daityas. He had harassed Devas formerly in various ways as he pleased, since he was very clever. 

80. From his right shoulder he created a Daitya named Vishukra who was capable of protecting his species. He was on a par with Shukra and conversant with all thoughts. 

81. He created Vishanga of defiled crest from his left shoulder. Bhanda, the Danava, created a sister too named Dumini. 

82. In the company of his brothers of fierce valour, this demon killed all his enemies. With increased heroism and prowess, he hit and hurt the entire cosmos. 

83. On seeing him enkindled in spirit and splendour, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesha began to flee immediately. They stayed in their respective abodes permanently. 

84. At the very same time, stupefied on being thrashed by his arms, the groups of heaven-dwellers found themselves incapable of even breathing. 

85-86. Utterly bewildered and frightened some of them hid themselves deep within the nether worlds; some in the waters of the ocean; some in the corners of different quarters and some in bushes (on the tops) of mountains. They abandoned their wives, women-folk and children. The Rubhus (i.e., Devas) lost their offices of power. They began to roam about in disguise. 

87. Bhanda considered everyone no better than a blade of grass-every one namely Yakshas, great serpents, Siddhas and Sadhyas, although they were highly arrogant of their ability to fight. He did not mind even Brahma, Padmanabha (Vishnu) and Rudra as well as Indra, the wielder. of thunderbolt. Thus, Bhanda ruled over all the worlds. 

88-90. It was to kill Bhandasura and to protect the three worlds, O sage, that the third form of the goddess.) rose up from the fire of great sacrifice. They called the goddess of this form Lalita and Para devata (the supreme Deity). Her four arms are adorned with Possha (noose), Ankusha (goad), Dhanus (bow) and the highest Shakti, having her form identical with the supreme Brahman. Adept in conducting warfare, she killed Bhanda the leading Daitya in a batde.