Shloka 76
Umā-caritra-prārthanā: Ṛṣayaḥ Sūtaṃ Pṛcchanti
Request for the Account of Umā
एवन्ते कथितो राजन्कालिकायास्समुद्भवः । महालक्ष्म्यास्तथोत्पत्तिं निशामय महामते
evante kathito rājankālikāyāssamudbhavaḥ | mahālakṣmyāstathotpattiṃ niśāmaya mahāmate
Thus, O King, I have related to you the arising of Kālikā. Now, O great-minded one, listen as I describe the manifestation of Mahālakṣmī as well.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purāṇic account in the Umāsaṃhitā style)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: A narrative colophon-like transition: completion of Kālikā’s origin account and segue to Mahālakṣmī’s manifestation; not a Jyotirliṅga legend.
Significance: Encourages sequential śravaṇa (listening) to Devī-kathā as a meritorious act; frames multiple śakti-manifestations as salvific history.
Shakti Form: Kālī
Role: destructive
FAQs
It marks a doctrinal transition: the text frames Devi’s forms (Kālikā and Mahālakṣmī) as purposeful manifestations of Śakti, guiding the listener from one revelation to the next in the wider Shaiva understanding of Pati (Śiva) and His power.
By presenting Devi’s manifestations in an ordered narration, it supports Saguna worship where Śiva is adored along with Śakti—often expressed in temple practice through Liṅga worship accompanied by Devī-upāsanā as complementary paths within Shaiva tradition.
The immediate instruction is śravaṇa (devotional listening). Practically, one may listen/recite such chapters with mantra-japa (e.g., “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and contemplative attention to Śiva-Śakti unity.