Shloka 59
Umāyāḥ Kriyāyoga-Rahasya
The Esoteric Teaching on Umā’s Kriyāyoga
माधवस्य सिते पक्षे तृतीया याऽक्षयाभिधा । तस्यां यो जगदम्बाया व्रतं कुर्यादतन्द्रितः
mādhavasya site pakṣe tṛtīyā yā'kṣayābhidhā | tasyāṃ yo jagadambāyā vrataṃ kuryādatandritaḥ
Pada paruh terang bulan Mādhava (Vaiśākha), pada hari ketiga yang dinamakan Akṣayā—sesiapa yang pada hari itu dengan tekun tanpa lalai menunaikan vrata (nazar suci) kepada Jagadambā, Ibu Alam (Umā)…
Suta Goswami (narrating the observances and their fruits to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, as typical of the Purāṇic frame in the Umāsaṃhitā)
Tattva Level: pashu
Significance: Anchors the observance to a calendrical sacred time: Vaiśākha śukla tṛtīyā (Akṣayā). Such tithi-fixation turns time itself into a tīrtha, intensifying merit and auspiciousness for Devī-vrata.
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: nurturing
Cosmic Event: Akṣayā Tṛtīyā (Vaiśākha śukla tṛtīyā) is identified as an ‘imperishable’ merit-bearing tithi; month Mādhava = Vaiśākha (late spring/early summer).
FAQs
It sanctifies Akṣayā Tṛtīyā (Vaiśākha śukla tṛtīyā) as a specially potent time for worshipping Jagadambā (Umā), emphasizing disciplined vrata as a means to accrue imperishable spiritual merit that supports devotion and liberation-oriented life.
In Śaiva Siddhānta, Umā is inseparable from Śiva; observing Jagadambā’s vrata strengthens bhakti toward the divine couple. Such devotion naturally complements saguna worship—especially Śiva-liṅga pūjā—because Umā’s grace is understood to lead the devotee toward Śiva’s anugraha (saving grace).
The verse directly recommends a focused vrata on Akṣayā Tṛtīyā for Jagadambā—performed ‘atandritaḥ’ (with vigilance). Practically, this implies disciplined observance such as fasting/regulated diet, pūjā and japa with a Śaiva-Śākta orientation (e.g., remembrance of Umā with Śiva), and maintaining purity and steadiness of mind.