Sheetala Saptami is observed on the seventh day (Saptami) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Chaitra. This year, Sheetala Saptami will be celebrated on 10 March. The fast is mainly observed by mothers for the well-being, health, and long life of their children. On this day, devotees worship Goddess Sheetala and traditionally eat Stale or previously prepared food. It is also believed that after performing the puja, one should listen to or read the sacred story of Goddess Sheetala.
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| Story Of Sheetla Saptmi |
📖 The Story of Sheetala Saptami
Long ago, there lived a Brahmin couple in a small village. They had two sons, and both were married. However, for many years, neither of the daughters-in-law had any children. After a long period of prayers and patience, both of them were finally blessed with children. The entire household was filled with happiness.
After some time, the festival of Sheetala Saptami arrived. According to tradition, food was prepared a day earlier so that only STALE food could be eaten on the day of the fast.
But the two daughters-in-law were worried. They thought, “If we eat cold food, our little children might fall sick.” Because of this fear, they secretly prepared two hot baatis for themselves without telling anyone.
Meanwhile, their mother-in-law performed the puja of Goddess Sheetala with great devotion and listened to the sacred story. After the rituals, she began singing devotional songs in praise of the goddess. Taking advantage of the moment, the two daughters-in-law went back to the house on the pretext of checking on their children and quietly ate the hot food.
After some time, the mother-in-law returned home and said to them,
“Now you both should also eat your meal.”
The daughters-in-law remained busy with their chores. The mother-in-law then said,
“The children have been sleeping for a long time. Wake them up and feed them something.”
When the daughters-in-law went to wake their children, they were shocked to see that both children were lifeless. Terrified and heartbroken, they began to cry loudly and told their mother-in-law everything that had happened.
The mother-in-law became very angry and said,
“Because of your attachment to your children, you disrespected Goddess Sheetala. Until you bring your children back alive and healthy, you must not step into this house again.”
🌼 Repentance and the Blessing of the Goddess
Filled with sorrow, both daughters-in-law placed their children in baskets and left the house. As they walked along the road, they came across an old Khejri tree. Exhausted, they sat down beneath it.
Under the tree, two women were sitting. Their names were Ori and Sheetala, and their hair was filled with lice. Despite their grief and exhaustion, the daughters-in-law compassionately began removing the lice from their hair.
As the lice were removed, the two women felt great relief and coolness in their heads. Feeling pleased, they said,
“You have brought coolness and comfort to our heads. May peace and relief also come to your lives.”
Hearing this, the daughters-in-law burst into tears and said sadly,
“We are wandering with the bodies of our children. We have not even been blessed with the sight of Goddess Sheetala.”
At that moment, one of the women spoke angrily,
“You both are foolish and sinful. On the sacred day of Sheetala Saptami, instead of eating cold food, you ate hot food and disrespected the goddess.”
As soon as they heard these words, the daughters-in-law realized that the woman before them was Goddess Sheetala herself. They immediately fell at her feet and begged for forgiveness.
“Mother, please forgive us,” they cried. “We made a mistake out of ignorance. We promise we will never repeat it.”
✨ The Happy Ending
Seeing their sincere repentance, Goddess Sheetala felt compassion for them. She blessed them and brought both children back to life.
Overjoyed, the daughters-in-law returned home with their living children and told everyone about their divine encounter with the goddess. The entire village welcomed them with great celebration.
Both daughters-in-law then made a vow that they would build a temple for Goddess Sheetala in the village and faithfully observe the fast every year, eating only cold food on Sheetala Saptami.
📿 The Message of the Story
This sacred story teaches us that:
- Religious traditions should be followed with faith and devotion.
- Goddess Sheetala protects children and blesses them with good health.
- True repentance and sincere devotion can bring the grace of the divine.
For this reason, devotees believe that the story of Goddess Sheetala should always be read or heard after the Sheetala Saptami puja.
Spell Of Goddess Sheetla:
ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं शीतलायै नमः (Om Hreem Shreem Sheetalayai Namah)
🙏 May Goddess Sheetala bless all children with health, happiness, and protection.
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