Shitalā Mātā is described as riding an ass in a nude state with the half of a supadun (a winnowing fan) for an umbrella and with a swing in one hand, and a broom in the other.[31] But more usually the Mātā is represented by a mere trunkless head in stone, besmeared with red lead. This is said to be the head of Babhrivāhan, the son of Bhīma[32] the second of the Pāndavas by a Nāg mother. At the time of the Great War, he was sent by his mother from his residence in the pātāl (the regions below this world) to assist his father, and as he did not know the Pāndavas, he was asked to join the weaker side. On coming to the earth he first met with Krishna who took a promise from him to lop his own head off. In return, Krishna promised him that he would be immortal, invisible and worshipped by all, and the head was set up on the flag of the Pāndavas. This head began to trouble the Pāndavas after their victory, and could only be quieted by the promise of Krishna to have him recognised as a deity with unlimited powers. This head afterwards came to be known as the controller of small-pox. How the head of the male Babhrivāhan came to be identified with Shitalā Mātā, it is difficult to explain.[33]
There is a tradition that a Kunbi once recovered his eyesight, lost in an attack of small-pox, by worshipping Shitalā Mātā, and by vowing not to tie his lock of hair till his blindness was cured.[34]
It is said that the powderlike substance which falls from the scabs of small-pox cures cataract if applied to the eyes.[34]
Daksha Prajāpati once celebrated a great sacrifice, but did not invite his son-in-law Shiva. The latter was extremely enraged at the insult, and eight sorts of fever were in consequence produced by his breath at that time.[35] According to another story zār or fever was created by Shiva in order to assist the demon Bānāsur in his contest with god Krishna, and it can be cured by the recitation of a piece called Ushāharan, from the Harivansha.[36] Some persons attribute fever to the wrath of Vishnu, and declare that it can be avoided by the recitation of Vishnusahasranāma.[37] Others believe it to be due to the anger of Shiva, and say that it can be cured by pouring a stream of water over the image of Shiva by offering bel leaves (Aegle marmelos) to him, and by reciting the Mrityunjaya mantra in his honour.[38] Others again ascribe it to the displeasure of the gods Hari[39] and Har,[39] saying that the heat is caused by the wrath of Shiva.[40]
The following are some of the remedies adopted in cases of fever:
(i) The recitation of sacred hymns in honour of the gods.
(ii) The worship of Narsinh.[41]
(iii) Rudrābhishek—pouring a stream of water on the image of Shiva with the recitation of verses in his honour.
(iv) Drawing the jantra of Mrityunjaya (lit. Death-conquering, an epithet of Shiva) as shown below.
