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 ||
Según el rito prescrito para el culto de la Diosa, esta observancia se llama “Mahāṣṭamī”. En la octava lunar de la quincena clara del mes de Vaiśākha, debe guardarse aquí el ayuno debidamente, sosteniéndose sólo con agua.
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.