Shloka 7
Umāyāḥ Kriyāyoga-Rahasya
The Esoteric Teaching on Umā’s Kriyāyoga
ज्ञानयोगः क्रियायोगो भक्तियोगस्तथैव च । त्रयो मार्गास्समाख्याताः श्रीमातुर्मुक्तिमुक्तिदा
jñānayogaḥ kriyāyogo bhaktiyogastathaiva ca | trayo mārgāssamākhyātāḥ śrīmāturmuktimuktidā
O Yoga do Conhecimento, o Yoga da Ação sagrada e, do mesmo modo, o Yoga da Devoção—estes três caminhos são declarados; pela graça da venerável Mãe Śrī Umā, concedem mokṣa e a liberdade que é a própria libertação.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Umāsaṃhitā teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Not a specific jyotirliṅga episode; the verse frames liberation as arising through Devī’s grace and the tri-mārga discipline.
Significance: General tīrtha-idea: pilgrimage is fulfilled when it matures into jñāna, kriyā (pūjā), and bhakti under Umā-Śiva’s anugraha.
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It affirms that liberation in Shaiva teaching is accessible through three complementary disciplines—knowledge, sacred practice, and devotion—ultimately fulfilled by the Mother’s grace that leads the soul (paśu) beyond bondage (pāśa) to the Lord (Pati).
Kriyā-yoga and bhakti-yoga naturally express themselves as Saguna worship—Linga-pūjā, mantra-japa, and reverent service—through which the mind is purified; that purity matures into jñāna-yoga, culminating in realization of Shiva’s supreme nature.
It supports a balanced sādhana: daily Shiva worship (especially Linga-pūjā), japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and disciplined observances (e.g., bhasma/Tripuṇḍra and rudrākṣa) as kriyā, sustained by heartfelt bhakti.