For release from the grips of intense release of stress and inner disturbances
Sitalastakam Yagya for Durga
Yagya Announcement: Sitalastakam Yagya for Durga
Sitalastakam Yagya for Durga, 11 pandits, 11 days. 7-September to 17-September, 2026
This yagya was recently recommended by Jaikrishna, esteemed Vedic scholar and Jyotish pandit as one of three supportive yagyas for the current period of time.
ŚĪTALĀ STOTRAM YAGYA
A Śītalā Stotram Yagya (sometimes spelled Sitala Stakam Yagya if it centers on the Śītalā Aṣṭakam, an eight-verse hymn) is a Vedic ritual dedicated to Śītalā Devī, the goddess traditionally associated with healing, protection from contagious diseases, cooling fevers, and restoring health and harmony.
Who is Śītalā Devī?
The Sanskrit word śītalā means “cool,” “refreshing,” or “soothing.” Śītalā Devī is traditionally depicted as carrying:
- A pot of cooling, healing water
- A broom, symbolizing the sweeping away of disease and impurities
- Neem leaves, long associated in India with purification and healing
- Sometimes riding a donkey, symbolizing humility and service
Historically, she was especially revered as the protectress against diseases such as smallpox, but today devotees pray to her for protection from all forms of illness, epidemics, inflammation, and suffering.
What is the Śītalā Aṣṭakam?
The Śītalā Aṣṭakam is an eight-verse Sanskrit hymn praising the goddess and asking for:
- Relief from disease
- Removal of fever
- Good health
- Protection of children
- Purification of body and mind
- Peace and longevity
The hymn is traditionally attributed to Vyasa in some traditions, although manuscript traditions vary.
- Offerings such as clarified butter (ghee), herbs, rice, sesame, and medicinal plants
- Special offerings of cooling foods, flowers, and water
- Blessings (prasāda) for health and protection
Spiritual significance
Beyond physical healing, Śītalā Devī represents:
- Cooling excessive emotional heat (anger, fear, anxiety)
- Calming disturbances in the nervous system
- Restoring balance after periods of stress
- Purifying subtle karmic impressions associated with illness
Many practitioners understand disease as reflecting imbalances on physical, mental, and subtle levels, and the yagya is intended to harmonize all three.
In Vedic teachings…
Within the context of Vedic knowledge, yagyas are traditionally understood as enlivening the organizing intelligence of Natural Law through precise Vedic recitation supporting health, balance, and protection through the orderly functioning of Natural Law.
When people traditionally perform it
A Śītalā Stotram Yagya may be performed:
- During recovery from illness
- To pray for the health of family members
- Before or during seasonal outbreaks of infectious disease
- For children’s well-being
- To seek relief from recurring fevers or inflammatory conditions
- On festivals dedicated to Śītalā Devī, particularly Sheetala Ashtami (also called Basoda in some regions)
It’s important to view such rituals as health supporting spiritual practices that are adjuncts to traditional medical attention. They can be meaningful alongside appropriate medical care, but they are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment when someone is ill.
wareness into greater harmony with the intelligence governing knowledge, order, and evolution.
- Yagya: Sitalastakam Yagya for Durga
- Dates: 7-September to 17-September, 2026
- Live-Streamed? Yes. You may optionally watch this yagya being live-streamed and save it to your PC after.
- Cost: $30.00.
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