Chapter 12 of the Eighth Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam describes the episode when the feminine form (avatar) of Lord Vishnu mesmerized Lord Shiva. Mohini manifested herself in the presence of Lord Shiva and his consort Uma in a forest of trees with pink flowers wearing a shining saree and playing with a ball. Verse 21 of Chapter 12, states that as Mohini played with the Ball, her saree came loose and her hair scattered. Raja Ravi Varma captures this moment in this painting. Mohini is depicted as a youthful girl playing with the ball as her saree falls. Raja Ravi Varma painted several versions of this pose, one of which is used as an exemplar for the chromolithograph, Tilottama which was printed at the Ravi Varma Press.
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