Shitala Ashtakam
शीतलाष्टकम्
Also known as: sheetla ashtak · shitala ashtak · vande aham shitalam devim · sheetala mata ashtakam · shitalashtakam
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✦ Meaning
The Shitala Ashtakam is the principal eight-verse hymn to Goddess Shitala, the cooling mother who protects against and cures fevers, pox, skin eruptions and epidemic diseases. Drawn from the Skanda Purana and traditionally spoken by Lord Shiva himself, it pictures her seated on a donkey, holding a broom, water-pot and winnowing fan. Devotees chant it for relief from fever and infectious illness and for the protection of the home, declaring her the very 'medicine of life'.
Origin & Story
Skanda Purana · Traditionally spoken by Lord Shiva (recorded by Sage Veda Vyasa) · Ancient / Puranic
In the Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva reveals the glory of Goddess Shitala, the cooling mother who governs fevers and pox-diseases. Where she is propitiated, epidemics are pacified; where she is neglected, eruptive fevers may spread. The Ashtakam is the hymn given for her worship, picturing her astride a donkey with a broom to sweep away disease, a kalasha of healing water and a winnowing fan to fan away heat. It became the central prayer of her cult across North and East India, sung especially on Sheetala Ashtami.
✦ As told in scripture
Tradition holds that during devastating outbreaks of smallpox, communities that took up the worship of Shitala and the recitation of this Ashtakam saw the epidemic recede. Many families relate that a feverish child grew calm and cool as the verses 'Shitale! Shitale!' were chanted at the bedside, the goddess answering her own name with the gift of healing.
Complete Text with Meaning
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वन्देऽहं शीतलां देवीं रासभस्थां दिगम्बराम्। मार्जनीकलशोपेतां शूर्पालङ्कृतमस्तकाम्॥
Vande-Aham Shitalam Devim Rasabhastham Digambaram Marjani-Kalashopetam Shurpalankrita-Mastakam
Meaning:I worship Goddess Shitala, seated upon a donkey, sky-clad, holding a broom and a water-pot, her head adorned with a winnowing fan.
वन्देऽहं शीतलां देवीं सर्वरोगभयापहाम्। यामासाद्य निवर्तेत विस्फोटकभयं महत्॥
Vande-Aham Shitalam Devim Sarva-Roga-Bhaya-Apaham Yam-Asadya Nivarteta Visphotaka-Bhayam Mahat
Meaning:I worship Goddess Shitala, remover of the fear of all diseases, by reaching whom the great terror of pox-fevers is dispelled.
शीतले शीतले चेति यो ब्रूयाद्दाहपीडितः। विस्फोटकभयं घोरं क्षिप्रं तस्य प्रणश्यति॥
Shitale Shitale Cheti Yo Bruyad-Daha-Piditah Visphotaka-Bhayam Ghoram Kshipram Tasya Pranashyati
Meaning:Whoever, tormented by burning fever, cries 'Shitale! Shitale!', for him the dreadful fear of pox is swiftly destroyed.
यस्त्वामुदकमध्ये तु ध्यात्वा सम्पूजयेन्नरः। विस्फोटकभयं घोरं गृहे तस्य न जायते॥
Yas-Tvam-Udaka-Madhye Tu Dhyatva Sampujayen-Narah Visphotaka-Bhayam Ghoram Grihe Tasya Na Jayate
Meaning:The person who meditates upon you standing in water and worships you — in his home the dreadful fear of pox never arises.
शीतले ज्वरदग्धस्य पूतिगन्धयुतस्य च। प्रनष्टचक्षुषः पुंसस्त्वामाहुर्जीवनौषधम्॥
Shitale Jvara-Dagdhasya Puti-Gandha-Yutasya Cha Pranashta-Chakshushah Pumsas-Tvam-Ahur-Jivana-Aushadham
Meaning:O Shitala, for the one burnt with fever, foul-smelling, his eyesight lost — you alone are called the medicine of life.
शीतले तनुजान्रोगान्नृणां हरसि दुस्त्यजान्। विस्फोटकविदीर्णानां त्वमेकाऽमृतवर्षिणी॥
Shitale Tanujan-Rogan-Nrinam Harasi Dustyajan Visphotaka-Vidirnanam Tvam-Eka-Amrita-Varshini
Meaning:O Shitala, you carry away the hard-to-bear diseases of the body of men; for those torn apart by pox, you alone are the shower of nectar.
गलगण्डग्रहा रोगा ये चान्ये दारुणा नृणाम्। त्वदनुध्यानमात्रेण शीतले यान्ति सङ्क्षयम्॥
Gala-Ganda-Graha Roga Ye Chanye Daruna Nrinam Tvad-Anudhyana-Matrena Shitale Yanti Sankshayam
Meaning:Goitre, seizures and other terrible diseases of men — by the mere meditation upon you, O Shitala, they go to destruction.
न मन्त्रो नौषधं तस्य पापरोगस्य विद्यते। त्वामेकां शीतले धात्री नान्यां पश्यामि देवताम्॥
Na Mantro Nausadham Tasya Papa-Rogasya Vidyate Tvam-Ekam Shitale Dhatri Nanyam Pashyami Devatam
Meaning:For that grievous disease there is neither mantra nor medicine; O Shitala, you alone I see as the sustaining mother — I see no other deity.
मृणालतन्तुसदृशीं नाभिहृन्मध्यसंस्थिताम्। यस्त्वां सञ्चिन्तयेद्देवि तस्य मृत्युर्न जायते॥
Mrinala-Tantu-Sadrishim Nabhi-Hrin-Madhya-Samsthitam Yas-Tvam Sanchintayed-Devi Tasya Mrityur-Na Jayate
Meaning:O Goddess, whoever contemplates you, subtle as a lotus-fibre, seated in the centre of the navel and heart — to him death does not come.
अष्टकं शीतलादेव्या यो नरः प्रपठेत्सदा। विस्फोटकभयं घोरं गृहे तस्य न जायते॥
Ashtakam Shitala-Devya Yo Narah Prapathet-Sada Visphotaka-Bhayam Ghoram Grihe Tasya Na Jayate
Meaning:The person who always recites this Ashtakam of Goddess Shitala — in his home the dreadful fear of pox never arises.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Shitala Ashtakam
Invokes Goddess Shitala for protection from and cure of fevers, pox and skin diseases
Traditionally chanted during outbreaks of smallpox, chickenpox, measles and epidemic fevers
Believed to keep the home free from the 'fear of pox' (visphotaka) when recited regularly
Brings cooling relief to those burning with fever, as her very name means 'the cool one'
Soothes restlessness, heat and irritation of body and mind
Regular recitation, especially on Sheetala Ashtami, is held to grant lasting health and longevity
How to Chant Shitala Ashtakam
Bathe and chant facing the rising sun, ideally after worshipping Shitala Mata with cooled (basi) food, water and a lamp. The hymn is traditionally recited while standing in or near water. It may be chanted for a sick person, with the cool water offered before the goddess afterward given as prasada. Many recite the full eight verses with the concluding phala-shruti once daily during illness or every Tuesday for ongoing protection.