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Shitala Name Meaning & Details

Origin, Popularity, Numerology Analysis & Name Meaning of Shitala

Discover the origin, meaning, and cultural significance of the name SHITALA. Delve into its historical roots and explore the lasting impact it has had on communities and traditions.

Name

Shitala

Gender

Female

Origin

Hindu

Lucky Number

7

Meaning of the Name

Shitala means 'the cool one' and refers to the Hindu goddess who both causes and cures infectious diseases like smallpox. The name symbolizes healing, protection, and the cooling of fevers and suffering.

Stages of a Female

Complete Numerology Analysis

Your Numerology Number

7

Based on Pythagorean Numerology System

Ruling Planet

Neptune (Ketu)

Positive Nature

Intuitive, analytical, spiritual, and inquisitive.

Negative Traits

Secretive, reserved, aloof, and can be overly critical.

Lucky Colours

Green, yellow.

Lucky Days

Monday.

Lucky Stones

Cat’s eye, moonstone.

Harmony Numbers

1, 5, 6.

Best Suited Professions

Scientists, researchers, spiritual leaders, detectives.

What People Like About You

Depth of knowledge, analytical skills, spirituality.

Famous People Named Shitala

Shitala Devi

Religious Figure

Principal deity worshipped for protection against infectious diseases in Hindu tradition

Shitala Singh

Social Worker

Founder of healthcare initiatives in rural India focusing on disease prevention

Shitala Prasad

Educator

Pioneer in women's education and health awareness programs in Eastern India

Name Variations & International Equivalents

Sheetala Hindi Shitala Sanskrit Sitala Bengali Mariamman Tamil Pox Goddess English

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Cultural & Historical Significance

Shitala holds profound cultural significance as one of the most important folk deities in Hinduism, particularly across North India, Bengal, Bihar, and Nepal. Her worship represents ancient humanity's attempt to understand and control infectious diseases through spiritual means. As the goddess of smallpox, chickenpox, and other heat-related diseases, she embodies the dual nature of many disease deities - both the cause and the cure. This duality reflects the complex relationship between humans and illness, where the same force that brings suffering can also bring relief and immunity.

The cultural practices surrounding Shitala worship include special pujas performed during disease outbreaks, offerings of cooling foods, and rituals aimed at appeasing her wrath. Her festivals, particularly Sheetala Ashtami, involve the consumption of stale food to demonstrate immunity and resilience. This tradition has deep roots in food preservation practices and community health management. The enduring worship of Shitala demonstrates how traditional knowledge systems addressed public health challenges long before modern medicine, creating cultural mechanisms for disease prevention and community support during epidemics.

Extended Personality Analysis

People named Shitala are often characterized by their calming presence and natural nurturing abilities. They tend to be emotionally resilient individuals who maintain composure during difficult situations, much like the cooling nature their name suggests. There's typically a strong protective instinct in their personality, combined with practical wisdom about healing and recovery. They often serve as the 'cooling' influence in heated situations, using their emotional intelligence to de-escalate conflicts and provide comfort.

Their personality often shows a fascinating duality - they can be both gentle caregivers and fiercely determined when protecting those they care about. This reflects the goddess's nature of both causing and curing disease. They usually possess deep intuition about others' needs and suffering, making them excellent in caregiving professions. Their approach to problems is typically methodical and thorough, symbolized by the broom Shitala carries - they systematically address issues until they're completely resolved. Despite their calm exterior, they harbor strong convictions and will stand firm for their principles when necessary.

Modern Usage & Popularity

In contemporary times, the name Shitala maintains a niche presence primarily within traditional Hindu families and communities with strong folk religious connections. While its association with smallpox makes it less common in urban and modern contexts, there's been a subtle revival among families seeking to preserve cultural heritage. The name is sometimes chosen by parents in medical or healing professions who appreciate its historical significance in disease management. Interestingly, with the eradication of smallpox, the name is gradually being reinterpreted as representing healing and protection rather than disease itself. It's more frequently used as a middle name than a first name in modern settings, and its usage remains concentrated in specific regions of India where Shitala worship is still actively practiced, particularly during seasonal festivals dedicated to disease prevention.

Symbolic & Spiritual Meanings

Symbolically, Shitala represents the profound truth that healing and suffering are often intertwined. Her name meaning 'the cool one' extends beyond physical temperature to represent emotional calmness, mental clarity, and spiritual peace. She symbolizes the transformative journey through illness to health, and through suffering to wisdom. The cooling water she carries represents not just physical relief from fever, but also the soothing of emotional turmoil and the cleansing of spiritual impurities. Her broom symbolizes the systematic removal of negative influences and the purification of one's environment and life. Together, these symbols create a powerful metaphor for holistic healing - addressing physical symptoms while also cleansing emotional and spiritual blockages. She represents the ancient wisdom that true healing requires addressing root causes rather than just symptoms.

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