Sheetla Mata Aarti
Sheetla Mata Aarti in English · English
Origin & Story
Traditional Hindi devotional aarti · Traditional · Devotional era
Sheetla Mata, 'the cool one,' is the Goddess (a form of Durga) who both wards off and heals fevers, pox and epidemic diseases — riding a donkey and bearing a broom, winnow, pot and neem leaves. On Sheetla Ashtami (Basoda), devotees offer her cooling, day-before food and worship her for the health and protection of their children and homes.
✦ As told in scripture
It is said that those stricken with fever, pox or skin disease who take Sheetla Mata's refuge are healed — even the leper made pure and the blind given sight. On Basoda, no fresh fire is lit; cool food prepared the day before is offered, and this aarti is sung for the family's health.
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Complete Text with Meaning
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Maiya jaya shitala mata Adi jyoti maharani saba phala ki data
Meaning:Mother, victory to Sheetla Mata; primordial light, great queen, the giver of every fruit.
Ratana simhasana shobhita shveta chhatra bhata Riddhi siddhi chanvara dhulavem jagamaga chhavi chhata
Meaning:Resplendent on a jewelled throne, the white parasol gleaming; Riddhi and Siddhi wave the fly-whisk, your radiant image shining bright.
Vishnu sevata thadha़e sevem shiva dhata Veda purana varanata para nahim pata
Meaning:Vishnu stands serving you, Shiva and Brahma serve you; the Vedas and Puranas describe you, yet find no end to your glory.
Indra mridamga bajavata chandra vina hatha Suraja tala bajavai narada muni gata
Meaning:Indra plays the mridang, the Moon the veena in hand; the Sun keeps the rhythm and the sage Narada sings.
Ghanta shankha shahanai bajai mana bhata Karaim bhaktajana arati lakhi lakhi harshata
Meaning:Bell, conch and shehnai sound, delighting the heart; the devotees perform the aarti, rejoicing at the sight of you.
Brahmarupa varadani tu hi tina kala jnata Bhaktana ko sukha deti matu pita bhrata
Meaning:Of the form of Brahman, granter of boons, you are the knower of the three times; you give joy to devotees as mother, father and brother.
Jo jana dhyana lagave prema shakti pata Sakala manoratha pave bhavanidhi tara jata
Meaning:Whoever fixes the mind upon you in love gains power; he obtains every wish and crosses the ocean of existence.
Rogom se jo pida़ita koi sharana teri ata Kodha़i pave nirmala kaya andha netra pata
Meaning:Whoever, tormented by disease, comes to your refuge — the leper gains a pure body and the blind regain their eyes.
Banjha putra ko pave daridra kata jata Tako bhajai jo nahim sira dhuni pachhatata
Meaning:The barren woman gains a son and poverty is cut away; whoever does not worship you beats his head in regret.
Shitala karati janani tu hi hai jaga trata Utpatti vyadhi binashana tu saba ki ghata
Meaning:You cool and soothe, O Mother, you are the saviour of the world; you create, destroy disease, and are the end of all.
Dasa vichitra kara joda़e suna meri mata Bhakti apani dijai aura na kuchha bhata
Meaning:Your servant Vichitra folds his hands — hear me, O Mother; grant me your devotion, for nothing else delights me.
Benefits of Chanting Sheetla Mata Aarti
Sung to Sheetla Mata, the cooling Goddess (a form of Durga/Devi) who protects from and heals fevers, pox, measles and skin and epidemic diseases.
Chanted for health, recovery from illness, healthy children, and protection of the family from heat-borne and infectious diseases.
Especially worshipped on Sheetla Ashtami (Basoda), when cooling, day-old food is offered, and through the hot summer months.
How to Chant Sheetla Mata Aarti
Light a lamp (ghee or camphor) and, holding it, perform the aarti by circling it before the deity while singing, ideally with a bell. Offer flowers and prasad, and conclude by taking the aarti blessing (passing the hands over the flame and to the eyes). Sing with devotion and a steady heart.
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