Shloka 63
Umāyāḥ Kriyāyoga-Rahasya
The Esoteric Teaching on Umā’s Kriyāyoga
आषाढशुक्लपक्षीयतृतीयायां रथोत्सवम । देव्याः प्रियतमं कुर्याद्यथावित्तानुसारतः
āṣāḍhaśuklapakṣīyatṛtīyāyāṃ rathotsavama | devyāḥ priyatamaṃ kuryādyathāvittānusārataḥ
On the tṛtīyā—the third lunar day—of the bright fortnight in Āṣāḍha, one should celebrate the rathotsava, the chariot festival, as an offering most dear to the Goddess, performing it according to one’s means.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Utsava injunction: Āṣāḍha śukla tṛtīyā rathotsava as Devī’s priyatama offering; not a Jyotirliṅga origin episode.
Significance: Temple-festival devotion (utsava-bhakti) is treated as especially pleasing to the Goddess; ‘yathā-vitta’ underscores inclusive dharma—merit scales with sincerity, not wealth.
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: nurturing
Offering: dipa
FAQs
It teaches that devotion (bhakti) becomes spiritually fruitful when expressed as reverent service to the Divine Mother, and that sincere worship—done within one’s capacity—removes bondage (pāśa) and supports grace in the Shaiva path.
In Shaiva tradition, Uma and Shiva are worshipped as inseparable; honoring the Goddess through a rathotsava is a Saguna form of devotion that complements Linga worship by cultivating humility, gratitude, and disciplined observance.
It specifically recommends conducting a Rathotsava on Āṣāḍha śukla tṛtīyā, offering what one can afford; practitioners may support the observance with japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple Devi offerings consistent with their means.