Shri Shitala Ashtakam
Introduction to Shri Shitala Ashtakam
The Shri Shitala Ashtakam beginning with "Vandeaham Shitalam Devim" is a sacred eight-verse hymn dedicated to Goddess Shitala, the cooling goddess revered across India as the divine protector against diseases, especially fevers and poxes. Her very name "Shitala" means "the one who cools," signifying her power to soothe the burning heat of illness and restore health to the afflicted.
This ashtakam celebrates the compassionate nature of Goddess Shitala, who rides a donkey and carries a broom, water pot, and neem leaves — each symbolizing her role as the divine healer. She sweeps away disease, sprinkles cooling waters of mercy, and provides the medicinal grace of neem to those who seek her blessings with faith and devotion.
Reciting the Shitala Ashtakam with devotion is believed to protect children from ailments, cure fevers and pox-related diseases, and bestow overall good health upon the family. It is especially powerful during the Chaitra month and on Sheetla Saptami and Ashtami, when her divine grace flows most abundantly.
Watch Shri Shitala Ashtakam
Shri Shitala Ashtakam: Sanskrit, English & Tamil Verses
॥ अथ श्रीशीतलाष्टकम् ॥
॥ विनियोग ॥
अस्य श्रीशीतलास्तोत्रस्य महादेव ऋषिः।
अनुष्टुप् छन्दः। शीतला देवता।
लक्ष्मीर्बीजम्। भवानी शक्तिः।
सर्वविस्फोटकनिवृत्त्यर्थे जपे विनियोगः॥
ईश्वर उवाच।
वन्देऽहं शीतलां देवीं रासभस्थां दिगम्बराम्।
मार्जनीकलशोपेतां शूर्पालङ्कृतमस्तकाम्॥1॥
वन्देऽहं शीतलां देवीं सर्वरोगभयापहाम्।
यामासाद्य निवर्तेत विस्फोटकभयं महत्॥2॥
शीतले शीतले चेति यो ब्रूयद्दाहपीडितः।
विस्फोटकभयं घोरं क्षिप्रं तस्य प्रणश्यति॥3॥
यस्त्वामुदकमध्ये तु ध्यात्वा सम्पूजयेन्नरः।
विस्फोटकभयं घोरं गृहे तस्य न जायते॥4॥
शीतले ज्वरदग्धस्य पूतिगन्धयुतस्य च।
प्रणष्टचक्षुषः पुंसस्त्वामाहुर्जीवनौषधम्॥5॥
शीतले तनुजान् रोगान्नृणां हरसि दुस्त्यजान्।
विस्फोटकविदीर्णानां त्वमेकाऽमृतवर्षिणी॥6॥
गलगण्डग्रहा रोगा येचान्ये दारुणा नृणाम्।
त्वदनुध्यानमात्रेण शीतले यान्ति सङ्क्षयम्॥7॥
न मन्त्रो नौषधं तस्य पापरोगस्य विद्यते।
त्वामेकां शीतले धात्रीं नान्यां पश्यामि देवताम्॥8॥
॥ फल श्रुति ॥
मृणालतन्तुसदृशीं नाभिहृन्मध्यसंस्थिताम्।
यस्त्वां सञ्चिन्तयेद्देवि तस्य मृत्युर्न जायते॥9॥
अष्टकं शीतलादेव्या यो नरः प्रपठेत्सदा।
विस्फोटकभयं घोरं गृहे तस्य न जायते॥10॥
श्रोतव्यं पठितव्यं च श्रद्धाभाक्तिसमन्वितैः।
उपसर्गविनाशाय परं स्वस्त्ययनं महत्॥11॥
शीतले त्वं जगन्माता शीतले त्वं जगत्पिता।
शीतले त्वं जगद्धात्री शीतलायै नमो नमः॥12॥
रासभो गर्दभश्चैव खरो वैशाखनन्दनः।
शीतलावाहनश्चैव दूर्वाकन्दनिकृन्तनः॥13॥
एतानि खरनामानि शीतलाग्रे तु यः पठेत्।
तस्य गेहे शिशूनां च शीतलारुङ् न जायते॥14॥
शीतलाष्टकमेवेदं नदेयं यस्यकस्यचित्।
दातव्यं च सदा तस्मै श्रद्धाभक्तियुताय वै॥15॥
॥ इति श्रीस्कन्दपुराणे शीतलाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
॥ Atha Shri Shitalashtakam ॥
॥ Viniyoga ॥
Asya Shri Shitalastotrasya Mahadeva Rushih।
Anushtup Chhandah। Shitala Devata।
Lakshmirbeejam। Bhavani Shaktih।
Sarvavisphota-Kanivrutttyarthe Jape Viniyogah॥
Ishwara Uvacha।
Vandeham Shitalam Devim Rasabhastham Digambaram।
Marjaniikalashopetam Shoorpalankrutamastakam॥1॥
Vandeham Shitalam Devim Sarvarogabhayapaham।
Yamasadya Nivarteta Visphotakabhayam Mahat॥2॥
Shitale Shitale Cheti Yo Bruyaddahapeeditah।
Visphotakabhayam Ghoram Kshipram Tasya Pranashyati॥3॥
Yastvamudakamadhye Tu Dhyatva Sampoojayennarah।
Visphotakabhayam Ghoram Gruhe Tasya Na Jayate॥4॥
Shitale Jwaradagdhasya Pootigandhayutasya Cha।
Pranashtachakshushaha Pumsah Twamahurjeevanaushadham॥5॥
Shitale Tanujaan Rogaan Nrunaam Harasi Dustyajaan।
Visphotakavideernaanaam Twameka Amrutavarshini॥6॥
Galagandagraha Roga Yechanye Daruna Nrunam।
Twadanudhyanamatrena Shitale Yanti Sankshayam॥7॥
Na Mantro Naushadham Tasya Paaparogasya Vidyate।
Twamekam Shitale Dhatrim Naanyam Pashyami Devatam॥8॥
॥ Phala Shruti ॥
Mrunaalatantusadrushim Naabhihrunmadhyasamsthitam।
Yastvom Sanchintayed-Devi Tasya Mrutyurna Jayate॥9॥
Ashtakam Shitaladewyaa Yo Narah Prapathet-Sada।
Visphotakabhayam Ghoram Gruhe Tasya Na Jayate॥10॥
Shrotavyam Pathitavyam Cha Shraddhabhaktisamanvitaih।
Upasargavinashaya Param Swastyanam Mahat॥11॥
Shitale Twam Jaganmata Shitale Twam Jagatpita।
Shitale Twam Jagaddhatri Shitalayai Namo Namah॥12॥
Rasabho Gardabhashchaiva Kharo Vaishakhanandanah।
Shitalavahanashchaiva Durvaakandanikruntanah॥13॥
Etani Kharanamani Shitalagre Tu Yah Pathet।
Tasya Gehe Shishunam Cha Shitalarung Na Jayate॥14॥
Shitalashtakamevedam Na Deyam Yasyakasyachit।
Datavyam Cha Sada Tasmai Shraddhabhaktiyutaya Vai॥15॥
॥ Iti Shri Skandapurane Shitalashtakam Sampoornam ॥
॥ அத ஶ்ரீஶீதலாஷ்டகம் ॥
॥ விநியோக ॥
அஸ்ய ஶ்ரீஶீதலாஸ்தோத்ரஸ்யமஹாதேவ ருஷிः।
அனுஷ்டுப் சந்தः।ஶீதலா தேவதா।
லக்ஷ்மீர்பீஜம்।பவானீ ஶக்திः।
ஸர்வவிஸ்போடகநிவ்ருத்யர்தேஜபே விநியோகः॥
ஈஶ்வர உவாச।
வந்தே(அ)ஹம் ஶீதலாம் தேவீம்ராஸபஸ்தாம் திகம்பராம்।
மார்ஜனீகலஶோபேதாம்ஶூர்பாலங்க்ருதமஸ்தகாம்॥1॥
வந்தே(அ)ஹம் ஶீதலாம் தேவீம்ஸர்வரோகபயாபஹாம்।
யாமாஸாத்ய நிவர்தேதவிஸ்போடகபயம் மஹத்॥2॥
ஶீதலே ஶீதலே சேதியோ ப்ரூயத்தாஹபீடிதः।
விஸ்போடகபயம் கோரம்க்ஷிப்ரம் தஸ்ய ப்ரணஶ்யதி॥3॥
யஸ்த்வாமுதகமத்யே துத்யாத்வா ஸம்பூஜயேன்னரः।
விஸ்போடகபயம் கோரம்க்ருஹே தஸ்ய ந ஜாயதே॥4॥
ஶீதலே ஜ்வரதக்தஸ்யபூதிகந்தயுதஸ்ய ச।
ப்ரணஷ்டசக்ஷுஷःபும்ஸஸ்த்வாமாஹுர்ஜீவனௌஷதம்॥5॥
ஶீதலே தனுஜான் ரோகான்ந்ருணாம் ஹரஸி துஸ்த்யஜான்।
விஸ்போடகவிதீர்ணானாம்த்வமேகா(அ)ம்ருதவர்ஷிணீ॥6॥
கலகண்டக்ரஹா ரோகா யேசான்யே தாருணா ந்ருணாம்।
த்வதனுத்யானமாத்ரேணஶீதலே யாந்தி ஸங்க்ஷயம்॥7॥
ந மந்த்ரோ நௌஷதம் தஸ்யபாபரோகஸ்ய வித்யதே।
த்வாமேகாம் ஶீதலே தாத்ரீம்நான்யாம் பஶ்யாமி தேவதாம்॥8॥
॥ பல ஶ்ருதி ॥
ம்ருணாலதந்துஸத்ருஶீம்நாபிஹ்ருன்மத்யஸம்ஸ்திதாம்।
யஸ்த்வாம் ஸஞ்சிந்தயேத்தேவிதஸ்ய ம்ருத்யுர்ன ஜாயதே॥9॥
அஷ்டகம் ஶீதலாதேவ்யாயோ நரः ப்ரபடேத்ஸதா।
விஸ்போடகபயம் கோரம்க்ருஹே தஸ்ய ந ஜாயதே॥10॥
ஶ்ரோதவ்யம் படிதவ்யம் சஶ்ரத்தாபாக்திஸமன்விதைः।
உபஸர்கவிநாஶாயபரம் ஸ்வஸ்த்யயனம் மஹத்॥11॥
ஶீதலே த்வம் ஜகன்மாதாஶீதலே த்வம் ஜகத்பிதா।
ஶீதலே த்வம் ஜகத்தாத்ரீஶீதலாயை நமோ நமः॥12॥
ராஸபோ கர்தபஶ்சைவகரோ வைஶாகநந்தனः।
ஶீதலாவாஹனஶ்சைவதூர்வாகந்தநிக்ருந்தனः॥13॥
ஏதானி கரநாமானிஶீதலாக்ரே து யः படேத்।
தஸ்ய கேஹே ஶிஶூனாம் சஶீதலாருங் ந ஜாயதே॥14॥
ஶீதலாஷ்டகமேவேதம் நதேயம் யஸ்யகஸ்யசித்।
தாதவ்யம் ச ஸதா தஸ்மைஶ்ரத்தாபக்தியுதாய வை॥15॥
॥ இதி ஶ்ரீஸ்கந்தபுராணே ஶீதலாஷ்டகம் ஸம்பூர்ணம் ॥
॥ అథ శ్రీశీతలాష్టకం ॥
॥ వినియోగ ॥
అస్య శ్రీశీతలాస్తోత్రస్యమహాదేవ ఋషిః।
అనుష్టుప్ ఛందః।శీతలా దేవతా।
లక్ష్మీర్బీజం।భవానీ శక్తిః।
సర్వవిస్ఫోటకనివృత్యర్థేజపే వినియోగః॥
ఈశ్వర ఉవాచ।
వందేఽహం శీతలాం దేవీంరాసభస్థాం దిగంబరాం।
మార్జనీకలశోపేతాంశూర్పాలంకృతమస్తకాం॥1॥
వందేఽహం శీతలాం దేవీంసర్వరోగభయాపహాం।
యామాసాద్య నివర్తేతవిస్ఫోటకభయం మహత్॥2॥
శీతలే శీతలే చేతియో బ్రూయద్దాహపీడితః।
విస్ఫోటకభయం ఘోరంక్షిప్రం తస్య ప్రణశ్యతి॥3॥
యస్త్వాముదకమధ్యే తుధ్యాత్వా సంపూజయేన్నరః।
విస్ఫోటకభయం ఘోరంగృహే తస్య న జాయతే॥4॥
శీతలే జ్వరదగ్ధస్యపూతిగంధయుతస్య చ।
ప్రణష్టచక్షుషఃపుంసస్త్వామాహుర్జీవనౌషధం॥5॥
శీతలే తనుజాన్ రోగాన్నృణాం హరసి దుస్త్యజాన్।
విస్ఫోటకవిదీర్ణానాంత్వమేకాఽమృతవర్షిణీ॥6॥
గలగండగ్రహా రోగా యేచాన్యే దారుణా నృణాం।
త్వదనుధ్యానమాత్రేణశీతలే యాంతి సంక్షయం॥7॥
న మంత్రో నౌషధం తస్యపాపరోగస్య విద్యతే।
త్వామేకాం శీతలే ధాత్రీంనాన్యాం పశ్యామి దేవతాం॥8॥
॥ ఫల శ్రుతి ॥
మృణాలతంతుసదృశీంనాభిహృన్మధ్యసంస్థితాం।
యస్త్వాం సంచింతయేద్దేవితస్య మృత్యుర్న జాయతే॥9॥
అష్టకం శీతలాదేవ్యాయో నరః ప్రపఠేత్సదా।
విస్ఫోటకభయం ఘోరంగృహే తస్య న జాయతే॥10॥
శ్రోతవ్యం పఠితవ్యం చశ్రద్ధాభాక్తిసమన్వితైః।
ఉపసర్గవినాశాయపరం స్వస్త్యయనం మహత్॥11॥
శీతలే త్వం జగన్మాతాశీతలే త్వం జగత్పితా।
శీతలే త్వం జగద్ధాత్రీశీతలాయై నమో నమః॥12॥
రాసభో గర్దభశ్చైవఖరో వైశాఖనందనః।
శీతలావాహనశ్చైవదూర్వాకందనికృంతనః॥13॥
ఏతాని ఖరనామానిశీతలాగ్రే తు యః పఠేత్।
తస్య గేహే శిశూనాం చశీతలారుఙ్ న జాయతే॥14॥
శీతలాష్టకమేవేదం నదేయం యస్యకస్యచిత్।
దాతవ్యం చ సదా తస్మైశ్రద్ధాభక్తియుతాయ వై॥15॥
॥ ఇతి శ్రీస్కందపురాణే శీతలాష్టకం సంపూర్ణం ॥
Verse-by-Verse Meaning of Shri Shitala Ashtakam
1 First Verse
वन्देऽहं शीतलां देवीं रासभस्थां दिगम्बराम्।
मार्जनीकलशोपेतां शूर्पालङ्कृतमस्तकाम्॥
मार्जनीकलशोपेतां शूर्पालङ्कृतमस्तकाम्॥
Word Meanings: वन्दे = I bow/worship; अहं = I; शीतलां = Shitala (the cooling one); देवीं = goddess; रासभस्थां = seated upon a donkey; दिगम्बराम् = sky-clad/unclothed; मार्जनी = broom; कलश = water pot; उपेतां = equipped with; शूर्प = winnowing fan; अलङ्कृत = adorned; मस्तकाम् = head
Translation: I worship Goddess Shitala, who rides upon a donkey, who is sky-clad, who carries a broom and water pot, and whose head is adorned with a winnowing fan.
2 Second Verse
वन्देऽहं शीतलां देवीं सर्वरोगभयापहाम्।
यामासाद्य निवर्तेत विस्फोटकभयं महत्॥
यामासाद्य निवर्तेत विस्फोटकभयं महत्॥
Word Meanings: सर्वरोगभयापहाम् = remover of the fear of all diseases; याम् = whom; आसाद्य = having approached/attained; निवर्तेत = retreats/ceases; विस्फोटकभयं = the great fear of pox/eruptions; महत् = great
Translation: I worship Goddess Shitala, the remover of the fear of all diseases. By approaching Her, even the great terror of pox and eruptions retreats completely.
3 Third Verse
शीतले शीतले चेति यो ब्रूयाद्दाहपीडितः।
विस्फोटकभयं घोरं क्षिप्रं तस्य प्रणश्यति॥
विस्फोटकभयं घोरं क्षिप्रं तस्य प्रणश्यति॥
Word Meanings: शीतले शीतले चेति = (chanting) "Shitale, Shitale" thus; यः = whoever; ब्रूयात् = utters/speaks; दाहपीडितः = one afflicted by burning heat/fever; विस्फोटकभयं = the fear of pox; घोरं = terrible; क्षिप्रं = quickly; तस्य = his; प्रणश्यति = perishes completely
Translation: Whoever, afflicted by burning fever, chants "Shitale, Shitale" — the terrible fear of pox quickly perishes for that person.
4 Fourth Verse
यस्त्वामुदकमध्ये तु ध्यात्वा सम्पूजयेन्नरः।
विस्फोटकभयं घोरं गृहे तस्य न जायते॥
विस्फोटकभयं घोरं गृहे तस्य न जायते॥
Word Meanings: यः = who; त्वाम् = You; उदकमध्ये = in the midst of water; तु = indeed; ध्यात्वा = having meditated upon; सम्पूजयेत् = worships properly; नरः = person; गृहे तस्य = in his home; न जायते = does not arise
Translation: That person who meditates upon You in the midst of water and worships You properly — the terrible fear of pox never arises in his home.
5 Fifth Verse
शीतले ज्वरदग्धस्य पूतिगन्धयुतस्य च।
प्रणष्टचक्षुषः पुंसस्त्वामाहुर्जीवनौषधम्॥
प्रणष्टचक्षुषः पुंसस्त्वामाहुर्जीवनौषधम्॥
Word Meanings: ज्वरदग्धस्य = of one scorched by fever; पूतिगन्धयुतस्य = of one with foul-smelling disease; प्रणष्टचक्षुषः = of one who has lost his eyesight; पुंसः = of a man; त्वाम् = You; आहुः = they call; जीवनौषधम् = the life-giving medicine
Translation: O Shitala, for one scorched by fever, for one afflicted with foul-smelling disease, and for one who has lost his eyesight — the wise call You the life-giving medicine.
6 Sixth Verse
शीतले तनुजान् रोगान्नृणां हरसि दुस्त्यजान्।
विस्फोटकविदीर्णानां त्वमेकाऽमृतवर्षिणी॥
विस्फोटकविदीर्णानां त्वमेकाऽमृतवर्षिणी॥
Word Meanings: तनुजान् = born of the body; रोगान् = diseases; नृणां = of men; हरसि = You remove; दुस्त्यजान् = difficult to abandon/incurable; विस्फोटकविदीर्णानां = of those torn apart by pox eruptions; त्वम् = You; एका = alone; अमृतवर्षिणी = the one who showers nectar
Translation: O Shitala, You remove the incurable diseases born in the bodies of men. For those torn apart by pox and eruptions, You alone are the one who showers the healing nectar.
7 Seventh Verse
गलगण्डग्रहा रोगा येचान्ये दारुणा नृणाम्।
त्वदनुध्यानमात्रेण शीतले यान्ति सङ्क्षयम्॥
त्वदनुध्यानमात्रेण शीतले यान्ति सङ्क्षयम्॥
Word Meanings: गलगण्ड = goiter/throat diseases; ग्रहाः = planetary afflictions/seizures; रोगाः = diseases; ये च अन्ये = and whatever others; दारुणाः = terrible; नृणाम् = of men; त्वद् = Your; अनुध्यानमात्रेण = merely by meditation upon You; यान्ति सङ्क्षयम् = are completely destroyed
Translation: Goiter, planetary afflictions, and all other terrible diseases of men — merely by meditating upon You, O Shitala, they are all completely destroyed.
8 Eighth Verse
न मन्त्रो नौषधं तस्य पापरोगस्य विद्यते।
त्वामेकां शीतले धात्रीं नान्यां पश्यामि देवताम्॥
त्वामेकां शीतले धात्रीं नान्यां पश्यामि देवताम्॥
Word Meanings: न मन्त्रः = no mantra; न औषधं = no medicine; तस्य = for that; पापरोगस्य = disease born of sinful karma; विद्यते = exists; त्वाम् = You; एकां = alone; धात्रीं = the nurturer/supporter; न अन्यां = not any other; पश्यामि = I see; देवताम् = deity
Translation: No mantra and no medicine exists for the disease born of sinful karma. O Shitala, I see You alone as the nurturing deity — there is no other god who can cure it.
✦ Phala Shruti (Fruit of Recitation) — Verse 9
मृणालतन्तुसदृशीं नाभिहृन्मध्यसंस्थिताम्।
यस्त्वां सञ्चिन्तयेद्देवि तस्य मृत्युर्न जायते॥
यस्त्वां सञ्चिन्तयेद्देवि तस्य मृत्युर्न जायते॥
Word Meanings: मृणालतन्तुसदृशीं = resembling a lotus stalk fiber (subtle); नाभिहृन्मध्यसंस्थिताम् = established/dwelling between the navel and the heart; यः = whoever; त्वां = You; सञ्चिन्तयेत् = meditates upon; देवि = O Goddess; तस्य = his; मृत्युः = death; न जायते = does not occur
Translation: O Goddess, whoever meditates upon You — subtle as a lotus fiber, dwelling between the navel and the heart — death does not befall that person.
✦ Phala Shruti — Verse 10
अष्टकं शीतलादेव्या यो नरः प्रपठेत्सदा।
विस्फोटकभयं घोरं गृहे तस्य न जायते॥
विस्फोटकभयं घोरं गृहे तस्य न जायते॥
Word Meanings: अष्टकं = the eight verses (ashtakam); शीतलादेव्याः = of Goddess Shitala; यः नरः = that person who; प्रपठेत् = recites; सदा = always/regularly; गृहे तस्य = in his home; न जायते = does not arise
Translation: That person who always recites this ashtakam of Goddess Shitala — the terrible fear of pox never arises in his home.
✦ Phala Shruti — Verse 11
श्रोतव्यं पठितव्यं च श्रद्धाभाक्तिसमन्वितैः।
उपसर्गविनाशाय परं स्वस्त्ययनं महत्॥
उपसर्गविनाशाय परं स्वस्त्ययनं महत्॥
Word Meanings: श्रोतव्यं = should be heard; पठितव्यं = should be recited; च = and; श्रद्धाभक्तिसमन्वितैः = by those endowed with faith and devotion; उपसर्गविनाशाय = for the destruction of all afflictions/calamities; परं = supreme; स्वस्त्ययनं = benediction/auspicious rite; महत् = great
Translation: This hymn should be heard and recited by those endowed with faith and devotion. It is the supreme great benediction for the destruction of all afflictions and calamities.
✦ Phala Shruti — Verse 12
शीतले त्वं जगन्माता शीतले त्वं जगत्पिता।
शीतले त्वं जगद्धात्री शीतलायै नमो नमः॥
शीतले त्वं जगद्धात्री शीतलायै नमो नमः॥
Word Meanings: त्वं = You; जगन्माता = mother of the world; जगत्पिता = father of the world; जगद्धात्री = sustainer/creator of the world; शीतलायै = to Goddess Shitala; नमो नमः = salutations again and again
Translation: O Shitala, You are the mother of the world, You are the father of the world, You are the sustainer of the world — salutations again and again to Goddess Shitala.
✦ Phala Shruti — Verse 13
रासभो गर्दभश्चैव खरो वैशाखनन्दनः।
शीतलावाहनश्चैव दूर्वाकन्दनिकृन्तनः॥
शीतलावाहनश्चैव दूर्वाकन्दनिकृन्तनः॥
Word Meanings: रासभः = Rasabha (donkey); गर्दभः = Gardabha; खरः = Khara; वैशाखनन्दनः = Vaishakhanandana (joy of Vaishakha month); शीतलावाहनः = Shitalavahana (vehicle of Shitala); दूर्वाकन्दनिकृन्तनः = Durvakandanikrintana (cutter of durva grass roots)
Translation: Rasabha, Gardabha, Khara, Vaishakhanandana, Shitalavahana, and Durvakandanikrintana — these are the six sacred names of the donkey, the holy vehicle of Goddess Shitala.
✦ Phala Shruti — Verse 14
एतानि खरनामानि शीतलाग्रे तु यः पठेत्।
तस्य गेहे शिशूनां च शीतलारुङ् न जायते॥
तस्य गेहे शिशूनां च शीतलारुङ् न जायते॥
Word Meanings: एतानि = these; खरनामानि = names of the donkey; शीतलाग्रे = before Goddess Shitala; तु = indeed; यः = whoever; पठेत् = recites; तस्य गेहे = in his home; शिशूनां = of children; शीतलारुक् = the disease of Shitala (pox); न जायते = does not arise
Translation: Whoever recites these names of the donkey before Goddess Shitala — in his home, the disease of Shitala (pox) never afflicts the children.
✦ Phala Shruti — Verse 15
शीतलाष्टकमेवेदं नदेयं यस्यकस्यचित्।
दातव्यं च सदा तस्मै श्रद्धाभक्तियुताय वै॥
दातव्यं च सदा तस्मै श्रद्धाभक्तियुताय वै॥
Word Meanings: शीतलाष्टकम् = Shitala Ashtakam; एव = indeed; इदं = this; न देयं = should not be given; यस्यकस्यचित् = to just anyone; दातव्यं = should be given; सदा = always; तस्मै = to that one; श्रद्धाभक्तियुताय = who is endowed with faith and devotion; वै = indeed
Translation: This Shitala Ashtakam should not be given to just anyone. It should always be given only to the one who is endowed with true faith and devotion.
Spiritual Benefits of Reciting Shri Shitala Ashtakam
- Cures Diseases: Invokes divine healing power against all ailments
- Protects from Fever: Shields devotees from fevers and burning illnesses
- Heals Pox-Related Ailments: Grants relief from smallpox, chickenpox, and skin diseases
- Protects Children: Bestows divine protection upon young ones from illness
- Removes Body Heat: Cools excessive body heat and inflammation
- Grants Cooling Relief: Soothes physical and mental agitation
- Bestows Good Health: Blesses the entire family with lasting wellness
- Protects from Epidemics: Guards against widespread diseases and plagues
Chanting Instructions
- Sit in a clean, quiet place facing east or north
- Light a lamp and incense before the image of Goddess Shitala
- Offer neem leaves, cold water, and white flowers to the goddess
- Chant with devotion, meditating on the cooling grace of Shitala Mata
- Ideal times: Sheetla Saptami, Sheetla Ashtami, Chaitra month, Mondays
- Recite 1, 3, or 11 times for maximum spiritual benefit
- Conclude with surrender to the lotus feet of the Divine Mother
Frequently Asked Questions about Shri Shitala Ashtakam
What is the origin of Shri Shitala Ashtakam?
The Shri Shitala Ashtakam originates from the Skanda Purana, one of the eighteen major Puranas in Hinduism. It is narrated by Lord Shiva (Ishwara Uvacha — "The Lord said") to Goddess Parvati. The sage (rishi) of this stotra is Mahadeva himself, the meter (chhandah) is Anushtup, and the presiding deity (devata) is Goddess Shitala. This Puranic origin gives it immense scriptural authority.
Who is Goddess Shitala and what does her name mean?
Goddess Shitala's name comes from the Sanskrit word "shītala" meaning "the cooling one." She is the Hindu goddess who cures fevers, pox diseases (smallpox, chickenpox), and other burning ailments. She rides a donkey, carries a broom (to sweep away disease), a water pot (kalasha, for cooling and purification), and wears a winnowing fan (shurpa) on her head. She is worshipped as the divine healer and protector of children across India.
When should the Shitala Ashtakam be recited?
The most auspicious times to recite the Shitala Ashtakam are: during Sheetla Saptami and Sheetla Ashtami (especially in the Chaitra month, March-April), on Mondays (the day sacred to Shitala Mata), during any illness involving fever or skin eruptions, and during epidemic outbreaks. Regular daily recitation is recommended for families with young children to invoke Her protective blessings year-round.
What is the significance of the donkey names in verses 13-14?
Verses 13-14 list six sacred names of the donkey (Rasabha, Gardabha, Khara, Vaishakhanandana, Shitalavahana, Durvakandanikrintana), which is the divine vehicle (vahana) of Goddess Shitala. Reciting these names before Her image specifically protects children from pox diseases. The donkey symbolizes patience, endurance, and humility — qualities needed in overcoming illness. This unique practice shows how every aspect of the goddess's iconography carries healing power.
What does "Papa-roga" mean in verse 8?
"Papa-roga" literally means "disease born of sin" or "karmic disease." In Ayurvedic and Hindu philosophical tradition, certain diseases are believed to arise from accumulated negative karma (papa) from past lives or sinful actions. Verse 8 declares that no mantra or medicine can cure such karmic diseases — only Goddess Shitala's grace can heal them, establishing Her supreme healing authority beyond even Vedic remedies and herbal medicines.
Why does verse 15 say the Ashtakam should not be given to everyone?
Verse 15 states the Shitala Ashtakam should be shared only with those possessing true faith and devotion (shraddha-bhakti-yutaya). This reflects the ancient Vedic tradition of guarding sacred knowledge — not out of secrecy, but because sacred texts yield their full power only when received with genuine reverence. Sharing with the faithless may lead to disrespect or misuse of the divine hymn. This verse underscores that the healing power of the stotra works through the channel of sincere devotion.
Is Shitala Ashtakam available in Tamil lyrics?
Yes. This page includes Shitala Ashtakam in Tamil (தமிழ்) script along with Sanskrit and English transliteration for easier recitation.