Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 4
द्वादशमासेषु अष्टमी-व्रत-कथनम्
Account of the Aṣṭamī Vow Across the Twelve Months
महाष्टमीति च प्रोक्ता देव्याः पूजाविधानतः । वैशाखस्य सिताष्टम्यां समुपोष्यात्र वारिणा ॥ ४ ॥
mahāṣṭamīti ca proktā devyāḥ pūjāvidhānataḥ | vaiśākhasya sitāṣṭamyāṃ samupoṣyātra vāriṇā || 4 ||
According to the prescribed procedure for worship of the Goddess, this observance is called “Mahāṣṭamī.” On the bright eighth lunar day of Vaiśākha, one should duly undertake a fast here, sustaining oneself only with water.
Narada (in a didactic narration of vrata/puja rules; traditional dialogue framework with Sanatkumara lineage)
Vrata: Mahāṣṭamī
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It defines Mahāṣṭamī as a Goddess-centered observance and emphasizes disciplined upavāsa (fasting) as a means of ritual purity and devotional focus.
Bhakti here is expressed through regulated worship (pūjā-vidhi) and bodily restraint (water-only fasting), directing attention and intention toward the Devī.
It applies calendrical ritual timing—tithi observance (śukla-aṣṭamī of Vaiśākha)—which aligns with Jyotiṣa-based vrata scheduling used in Purāṇic practice.