Who is Goddess Sheetla Mata? Story, Symbols, Puja and Sheetla Ashtami Significance
Who is Goddess Sheetla?
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| Sheetala Mata |
Goddess Sheetla, also known as Sheetla Mata, is the divine mother who protects the world from diseases, epidemics, and suffering. Her name comes from the Sanskrit word “Śītala,” meaning cool, calm, and soothing, symbolising the cooling of fever and the relief from illness. References to Goddess Sheetla are found in several sacred texts, most notably the Skanda Purana, where her worship and significance are described in detail. She is also mentioned in the Devi Bhagavata Purana, which explains the various manifestations of the Divine Mother who protects the universe.
In many traditional narratives and regional scriptures, such as the Sheetla Mata Mahatmya, she is depicted as a compassionate form of Adishakti, the Divine Mother who appears to restore health and balance whenever suffering spreads among humanity.
Goddess Sheetala is popular as Mariamman in Tamil Nadu.
The Origin of Goddess Sheetla in the Holy Scriptures
According to the Skanda Purana, specifically within the Kāśī
Khaṇḍa and Prabhasa
Khanda sections, Goddess Sheetala emerged from a divine, sacrificial fire
(yagya) as an incarnation of Adishakti to save the world from a terrible
epidemic.
According to traditional narratives preserved in the Puranic
and regional Shakta traditions, Goddess Sheetla Mata, whose name means “the
cool and soothing one,” was created by Lord Brahma to protect the world from
the suffering caused by diseases and epidemics.
In ancient times, when creation had already been
established, Lord Brahma perceived that humanity would face terrible
afflictions in the form of fevers and contagious diseases. To maintain balance
in the world and to ensure that divine power existed to both control and cure
these illnesses, he manifested a compassionate yet powerful goddess from his
divine energy. This goddess was Sheetla, the cooling mother who could calm the
burning heat of disease and fever.
When she appeared before Brahma, radiant and filled with
divine power, he blessed her and declared that she would be worshipped on earth
as a goddess who protects people from epidemics and suffering. However, Brahma
also instructed her to carry with her seeds of lentils, which symbolised the
hidden seeds of disease and healing. In the folklore of North India, these
seeds are believed to be urad dal, small dark lentils that represent the
invisible forces that can both cause and cure illness.
After receiving Brahma’s blessing, Goddess Sheetla asked for
a companion who could assist her in controlling the forces of disease. Brahma
directed her to Lord Shiva, the great ascetic and master of cosmic powers. When
Sheetla approached Lord Shiva and explained her divine mission, Shiva agreed to
support her.
From the sweat of Lord Shiva’s body, which fell to the earth
during his intense cosmic meditation, a powerful being emerged. This being was
Jvara Asura, the demon of fever. His very name comes from the Sanskrit word
“jvara,” meaning fever or burning illness. Lord Shiva commanded Jvara Asura to
serve as a companion to Goddess Sheetla, explaining that he would represent the
destructive force of disease, while Sheetla Mata would possess the power to
control, restrain, and cure it.
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| Sheetala Mata with Jvara Asura |
Thus, the two divine forces were created together—Jvara
Asura representing the suffering caused by fever and disease, and Goddess
Sheetla representing the cooling, healing power that restores balance.
For some time, Sheetla Mata and Jvara Asura resided in
Devaloka, the celestial realm of the gods. Goddess Sheetla travelled with a
humble donkey as her vehicle, carrying the lentil seeds given to her by Brahma.
Wherever she journeyed, the seeds symbolised the subtle forces of disease that
existed within creation.
However, one day, the lentil seeds mysteriously transformed
into smallpox germs, and the disease began spreading among the celestial beings
themselves. The gods and goddesses were deeply troubled as fever and suffering
began appearing even in the heavenly realms.
Realising that the power carried by Sheetla Mata was meant
for the mortal world rather than the heavens, the gods approached her and
respectfully requested that she descend to the earth, where human beings would
worship her and seek her blessings for protection from disease.
Accepting their request, Goddess Sheetla and Jvara Asura
descended to the earthly world, searching for a place where she could establish
her presence.
During their journey, they arrived at the court of King
Birat, a powerful ruler who was a devoted follower of Lord Shiva. When Goddess
Sheetla appeared before the king, she asked him to allow her to reside in his
kingdom and to worship her as a divine mother.
King Birat agreed to offer her a place and perform her
worship, but he declared that no deity would receive a higher honor in his
kingdom than Lord Shiva, whom he revered above all.
Hearing this, Goddess Sheetla became angered, as she wished
to be recognised as the supreme protector against disease. To demonstrate her
divine power, she released terrible pox and fevers across the land. Soon, the
people of the kingdom began suffering from painful eruptions, burning fevers,
and great distress.
The king witnessed the suffering of his people and realised
the immense power of the goddess. With humility and devotion, he finally
accepted Goddess Sheetla as a supreme protector of health and disease,
promising that she would be worshipped with faith throughout his kingdom.
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| Sheetala Mata blesses King Birat |
Once the king surrendered to her divine will and began her
worship, the epidemic suddenly disappeared, and the people were miraculously
healed. The painful marks of the disease vanished, and peace returned to the
land.
From that time onward, Goddess Sheetla came to be worshipped
as the divine mother who both controls and cures diseases, while Jvara Asura
serves as a reminder of the destructive power of fever that exists under her
command.
The Divine Form and Symbols of Goddess Sheetla
In Hindu sacred traditions, Goddess Sheetla Mata is depicted
in a unique and symbolic form that reflects her divine role as the protector
from diseases and the healer of suffering beings. Her appearance is simple yet
deeply meaningful, with each element representing her power to purify, heal,
and restore balance in the world.
According to traditional descriptions found in Puranic and
devotional texts, Goddess Sheetla is usually portrayed seated or riding on a
donkey, which serves as her vehicle (vahana). Unlike many other deities who
ride majestic animals, the humble donkey symbolises simplicity, humility, and
the goddess’s readiness to travel through villages and homes to protect
ordinary people from disease.
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| Sheetala Mata |
In her hands, she carries several sacred objects that
represent her divine powers. One of the most important symbols is the broom,
which signifies her ability to sweep away illness, impurities, and negative
forces from the world. Just as a broom cleanses a place of dust and dirt, the
goddess cleanses humanity from epidemics and suffering.
She is also closely associated with neem leaves, a sacred
plant widely known in traditional Indian medicine for its healing and purifying
properties. The presence of neem leaves in her worship represents protection
from infections and purification of the body and environment.
In many depictions, Goddess Sheetla is also shown holding a
winnowing fan (soop), which symbolises the separation of purity from impurity
and the removal of harmful elements that cause disease.
Unlike fierce warrior goddesses, Sheetla Mata is often
portrayed with a calm and compassionate expression, emphasising her role as a
gentle yet powerful mother who heals rather than destroys. Her divine presence
reminds devotees that the Supreme Mother protects the world not only through
power but also through compassion and care.
Through these sacred symbols—the donkey, broom, pot of
healing water, neem leaves, and winnowing fan—Goddess Sheetla represents the
divine force that both controls and cures disease, reminding humanity of the
importance of purity, balance, and devotion to the Divine Mother.
Worship of Goddess Sheetla on Sheetla Ashtami
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| Sheetala Mata Puja |
The worship of Goddess Sheetla Mata on the sacred day of
Sheetla Ashtami (also known as Basoda) is performed with deep devotion and
unique traditions that symbolise purity, humility, and reverence for the Divine
Mother. This festival is usually observed during the Krishna Paksha of the
month of Chaitra, shortly after the festival of Holi.
One of the most distinctive practices of this day is that no
fresh food is cooked in the household. Instead, devotees prepare food a day
before the festival and offer this cold or stale food (called Basoda) to
Goddess Sheetla. This tradition symbolises the calming and cooling nature of
the goddess, who is believed to soothe fevers and diseases.
Early in the morning, devotees wake up before sunrise,
bathe, and visit temples dedicated to Sheetla Mata or worship her at home. They
clean the house and sprinkle water mixed with neem leaves, which are considered
sacred and purifying. Neem leaves are also offered to the goddess because they
are traditionally associated with healing and protection from infections.
During the worship, devotees offer cold food, curd, sweets,
and other simple offerings to the goddess along with prayers for the health and
well-being of their families. Lamps and incense are lit, and devotees chant
prayers seeking protection from diseases and epidemics.
In many regions of North India, especially in Rajasthan,
Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Haryana, people gather in large numbers at Sheetla
Mata temples to seek the blessings of the Divine Mother. Mothers particularly
pray for the protection of their children from illness and misfortune.
Through these rituals and prayers, devotees express their
faith that Goddess Sheetla, the compassionate manifestation of the Divine
Mother, will remove suffering, purify their homes, and bless their families
with health, peace, and protection from diseases.
Sheetala Mata Puja Mantra
ॐ शीतले शीतले चेति यो ब्रूयात् दाहपीड़ितः ।
विस्फोटकभयं घोरं क्षिप्रं तस्य विनश्यति ॥
Transliteration
Om Sheetale Sheetale Cheti
Yo Bruyaat Daaha Peeditah
Visphotaka Bhayam Ghoram
Kshipram Tasya Vinashyati
Meaning -
This sacred mantra praises Goddess Sheetla as the cooling
and healing mother who removes suffering caused by fever and diseases. It means
that a person who is suffering from burning fever, infections, or painful
diseases and sincerely chants the name of Sheetla Mata will quickly be freed
from the fear and suffering caused by such illnesses through her divine grace.
The Spiritual Significance of Sheetla Ashtami
The festival of Sheetla Ashtami carries a deep spiritual
meaning connected to purity, balance, and the protective grace of the Divine
Mother. Goddess Sheetla, whose name means “the cooling and soothing one,” is
believed to calm the burning heat of fever, disease, and suffering. Her worship
reminds devotees that health and well-being are closely connected to
cleanliness, purity of the home, and harmony with nature.
Many of the rituals of this festival symbolically reflect
these principles. The offering of cold food prepared the previous day, known as
Basoda, represents the cooling and calming power of the goddess. Just as cold
food symbolises the reduction of heat, Goddess Sheetla is believed to cool the
fever of diseases and restore balance to the body and mind.
The use of neem leaves, cleaning of homes, and prayers
offered to the goddess also reflect the importance of purification and
protection from harmful influences. Through these practices, the festival
teaches that devotion to the Divine Mother, combined with cleanliness and
mindful living, invites the blessings of health, peace, and protection from
disease.
Why Cold Food (Basoda) is Offered to Sheetla Mata
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| People offering Basoda |
One of the most unique traditions of Sheetla Ashtami is the
offering of cold or previously prepared food, known as Basoda, to Goddess
Sheetla. Devotees prepare the food a day before the festival and do not cook
anything fresh on the day of the worship. This practice is deeply symbolic and
connected to the divine nature of the goddess.
The name Sheetla itself means “cooling” or “the one who
brings calmness and relief.” In ancient belief, diseases such as fever and pox
were associated with excessive heat in the body. Goddess Sheetla, as the
cooling mother, is believed to soothe these burning afflictions and restore
balance and health. Offering cold food, therefore, symbolises the cooling and
calming power of the goddess.
Another spiritual meaning behind this tradition is that
devotees keep the kitchen fire extinguished on this day, representing the
removal of heat, anger, and impurity from the household. Instead of cooking,
families spend the day in prayer and devotion to the Divine Mother.
Basoda offerings often include foods such as curd, roti,
sweet dishes, and other simple preparations made the previous day, which are
first offered to the goddess and then shared among family members as blessed
food (prasada).
Through this ritual, devotees express their faith that Goddess Sheetla will cool the heat of diseases, protect their families from illness, and bless their homes with health and peace.
Sheetla Mata: A Compassionate Manifestation of Adishakti
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| Sheetala Mata is an avatar of Adishakti |
In the broader philosophy of the Shakta tradition, Goddess
Sheetla Mata is understood as one of the compassionate manifestations of
Adishakti, the Supreme Divine Mother who creates, sustains, and protects the
universe. The sacred texts, such as the Devi Bhagavata Purana, explain that the
Divine Mother manifests in countless forms whenever the world requires
protection, balance, and healing. Among these manifestations, Sheetla Mata
represents the cooling and nurturing aspect of the Divine Mother, who protects
living beings from diseases, epidemics, and suffering.
Just as Adishakti appears as Durga to destroy evil, Lakshmito grant prosperity, and Saraswati to bestow knowledge, she manifests as
Sheetla Mata to safeguard the health and well-being of humanity. Her gentle and
calming nature symbolises the divine grace that soothes the burning pain of
illness and restores harmony in the body and the world. Through her blessings,
devotees believe that fevers are cooled, epidemics are controlled, and
suffering is removed.
Therefore, the worship of Goddess Sheetla is not only a
prayer for protection from diseases but also an act of devotion to Adishakti
herself—the eternal and compassionate mother whose infinite forms protect and
nurture all creation. Through faith and reverence for the Divine Mother,
devotees seek the healing grace that brings health, peace, and balance to their
lives.
FAQs
Who is Sheetla Mata, and why is she worshipped?
Sheetla Mata is revered in Hindu tradition as the divine
mother who protects people from diseases, fevers, and epidemics. Her name means
“the cooling one,” symbolising her power to calm the burning heat of illness
and suffering. Devotees worship Sheetla Mata to seek protection from diseases,
purification of the home, and the health and well-being of their families.
What is the story of Sheetla Mata?
The story of Sheetla Mata describes her as a compassionate
manifestation of the Divine Mother who appeared to protect the world from
epidemics and suffering. According to traditional narratives found in Puranic
and folk traditions, she carries symbols such as a broom, a pot of healing
water, and neem leaves, which represent purification and healing. Through her
blessings, devotees believe that diseases are controlled and health is
restored.
When is Sheetla Mata worshipped?
Sheetla Mata is especially worshipped during the festival of
Sheetla Ashtami (Basoda), which is observed on the eighth day of the Krishna
Paksha in the month of Chaitra, shortly after the festival of Holi. On this
day, devotees offer cold food, prayers, and sacred hymns to seek the blessings
of Sheetla Mata for protection from diseases and the well-being of their
families.
Is Goddess Sheetla a form of Adishakti?
Yes, many devotees consider Sheetla Mata to be a
compassionate manifestation of Adishakti, the Supreme Divine Mother. Just as
Adishakti appears as Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati to protect and guide the
universe, she also manifests as Sheetla Mata to protect humanity from diseases
and suffering. Through her cooling grace, the Divine Mother restores health,
peace, and balance to the world.
Why is Goddess Sheetla called the “Cooling Mother”?
Goddess Sheetla is called the Cooling Mother because her
divine power is believed to calm the burning heat of fever and disease. Her
name itself comes from the Sanskrit word “Sheetala,” meaning cool, soothing, or
calming. Devotees believe that when they pray to Sheetla Mata with faith, her
blessings cool the suffering caused by illness and bring healing and protection
to their families.
What blessings do devotees receive from Sheetla Mata?
Devotees believe that the blessings of Sheetla Mata bring
protection from diseases, healing from illness, and peace within the home.
Mothers especially pray to the goddess for the health and safety of their
children. With sincere devotion and prayer, it is believed that the
compassionate grace of Sheetla Mata removes suffering and fills life with
health, harmony, and divine protection.
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