Sri Sheethala Ashtakam – Sri Skandhapuranam – Lyrics and meanings

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||

The sacred hymns praising the splendor of Goddess Sri Sheethala is highly propitious, composed by Mahadeva Rishi, it has Anushtup as Chandhass, presiding deity is Devi Sheethala, it has Lakshmi as Beejam and Bhavani as Shakthi, it is recited to get rid of all the severe illnesses and extreme  fears and anxieties of illnesses like small-pox, leprosy etc.

Eshvara speaks “I shall meditate upon Goddess Sheethala, who is mounted on Rasabha/donkey, she is attired in directions as garment, she holds broomstick, Kalasha, and winnowing basket on the head,  I shall meditate upon Goddess Sheethala, who eradicates extreme fears and anxieties of all kinds of critical illnesses, she eradicates fear of death l and all kinds fears and anxieties of illnesses, she is Sheethala who symbolizes gentleness, coolness, calmness etc.. she is most attentive and conspicuous, she eradicates extreme fears and anxieties, fears of critical illnesses, and sufferings from critical illness instantly, whoever recite her sacred hymns and meditate upon Goddess Sri Sheethala standing in the water would be relived from the fears of all kinds of illnesses from their homes, worship of Goddess Sheethala with various fragrant ingredients would get relieved from miserable fever and would work as life giving medicine, she is Amrithavarshini who showers nectar like rain to the people who are afflicted with critical illnesses and fears and extreme anxieties of illnesses, people who are afflicted with goiter like illnesses would get relieved from the illnesses the moment they remember Goddess Sheethala, she is Dhathri who is embodied as Universe and its living beings, she is supreme Goddess who have various incarnations, Devi Sheethala who is the supreme cure, therefore illnesses which doest not require any sacred hymns or any medicines to cure  are the results of the accumulated sins, would disappear with the meditation upon Goddess Sheethala, she has the appearance of fibrous root of lotus, I shall meditate upon Goddess Sheethala assuming her presence in my heart, she should be worshiped with intense devotion and faith, it would eradicate untimely and accidental deaths, whoever reads or listens to the glorious hymns of  Ashtakam of Goddess Sheethala, with intense faith and devotion, would be relieved from all kinds afflictions and live a blissful life, Oh! Sheethale, you are the mother of Universe,  Oh! Sheethale, you are the father of the Universe,  Oh! Sheethale, you have embodied as Universe and its living beings,  hence I shall repeatedly prostrate before Goddess Sheethala, she has donkey as celestial vehicle, she eradicates extreme afflictions, whoever reads or listens to it would be relieved from the troubles caused to their infants in their homes, Sheethalashtakam is highly auspicious hymn should be recited with utmost faith and devotion.”

|| Asya Sri  Sheethalasthothra Mahamanthrasya  Mahadeva Rishi: | Anushtup Chandha: | Sheethala Devatha | Lakshmir Beejam | Bhavani Shakthi: | Sarva Visphodaka Nivriththyarthe Jape Viniyoga: ||

Eshvara Uvacha –

Vandheaham  Sheethalam Devim Rasabhastham Dhigambaram| Marjani Kalashopetham  Shoorpalankritha Masthakam ||

Vandhe Aham Sheethalam Devim Sarvarogabhayapaham | Yamasadhya  Nivarththathe  Visphodakabhayam Mahath ||

Sheethale Sheethale  Chethi  Yo  Bhruyadhahapeeditha: | Visphodaka Bhayam Ghoram Kshipram Thasya Pranashyathi ||

Yasthvamudhakamadhye  Thu Dhyathva  Sampoojayen Nara: | Visphodakabhayam Ghoram Grihe  Thasya Na Jayathe ||

Sheethale  Jwardhadhasya  Poothigandhayuthasya Cha | Pranashta  Chakshusha: Pumsa Sthamahur Jeevanaushadham ||

Sheethale Thanujan Rogan  Nrinam Harasi Dhusthyajan | Visphodaka  Vidheernnanam Thvameka Amrithavarshini ||

Galagandagraha Roga  Ye Chanye  Dharunam Nrinam | Thvadhanu Dhyanamathrena  Sheethale  Yanthi Sangkshayam ||

Na Manthro Naushadham Thasya Paparogasya Vidhyathe | Thvamekam Sheethale Dhathreem Nanyam Pashyami Devatham ||

Mrinala Thanthu Sadhrishim Nabhi Hrinmadhya Samsthitham | Yasthvam Sanchinthaye Devi  Thasya Mrithyur Na Jayathe||

Ashtakam Sheethala Devya  Yo Nara: Prapadeth Sadha | Visphodaka Bhayam Ghoram Grihe  Thasya Na Jayathe ||

Shrothavyam Padithavyam Cha Shraddha Bhakthi Samanvithai: | Upasarga  Vinashaya  Param  Svasthyayanam Mahath ||

Sheethale Thvam Jaganmatha Sheethale Thvam Jagathpitha | Sheethale Thvam Jagadhdhathri  Sheethalayai Namo Nama: ||

Rasabho Gardhabhashchaiva  Garo Vaishakhanandhana: | Sheethala Vahanashchaiva  Dhoorvakandha  Nikrinthana: ||

Yethani Garanamani Sheethalagre  Thu Ya: Padeth | Thasya  Gehe  Shishoonam Cha  Sheethalarugna Jayathe ||

Sheethalashtakamey Vedam Na Dheyam Yasya Kasyachith | Dhathavyam Cha Sadha  Thasmai Shraddha Bhakthiyuthaya Vai ||

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||