Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 96
द्वादशमासेषु अष्टमी-व्रत-कथनम्
Account of the Aṣṭamī Vow Across the Twelve Months
वन्देऽहं शीतलां देवीं रासभस्थां दिगंबराम् । मार्जनी कलशोपेतां विस्फोटकविनाशिनीम् ॥ ९६ ॥
vande'haṃ śītalāṃ devīṃ rāsabhasthāṃ digaṃbarām | mārjanī kalaśopetāṃ visphoṭakavināśinīm || 96 ||
Je me prosterne devant la Déesse Śītalā—assise sur un âne, vêtue des directions (le ciel pour vêtement), portant balai et vase d’eau (kalaśa), elle qui anéantit les éruptions et les maux semblables à la variole.
Narada (stuti as part of the Narada Purana’s compiled praise/ritual verse section)
Vrata: Śītalā-aṣṭamī (contextual)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It is a protective stuti invoking Śītalā Devī as a cooling, purifying power who removes afflictions, especially eruptive illnesses, through devotion and ritual remembrance.
Bhakti is expressed through direct surrender—“vande’ham”—where the devotee contemplates the deity’s form and attributes (vāhana, emblems) and seeks grace for relief and well-being.
Ritual application (Kalpa-prayoga) is implied: iconographic identifiers (donkey, broom, water-pot) guide correct worship and recitation for a specific protective purpose.