Skandamata – The Fifth Durga
Motherhood generally follows a marriage. To confirm the general trends, Parvati also becomes the mother of Skand who is known as Kumar Kartikeya in northern India and as Murugan in Southern India. Shiva who used to be a hermit, changed into a householder after the birth of Skanda. Parvati, thus brought Shiva on the correct path and made him a responsible father.
Skanda was a warrior and was the Senapati (commander of army) in the Devasur Sangram (war). He is held in high esteem in Tamil Nadu and is popularly worshipped as Murugan. Peacock is his vehicle and one particular Puran – the Skandpuran is devoted to him.
Skandmata (mother of Skand) is a form of Parvati and is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. In her image, she is depicted sitting on a lion having four arms. Through the upper right hand, she holds Skand as a child sitting in her lap. The left upper hand is in ‘Abhaymudra’ for devotees. In the lower right and lower left hands, she holds lotus flowers.
One additional benefit of worshipping Skandmata is that both Parvati and Skand get worshipped together. It enhances the expectations of positive results from worship. She is often shown sitting on a lotus in Padmasan which makes her the bestower of offspring, power, prosperity and salvation.
Her worship on the fifth day of Navaratri when ‘Vishudh’ Chakra (Pure Chakra) prevails is highly beneficial for married couple.
Mantra
ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नम:
Oṃ Devī Skandamātāyai Namaḥ
Prayers:
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माञ्चित करद्वया।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Simhasanagata Nityam Padmanchita Karadvaya।
Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini॥
Meaning:
The one who is seated on a Lion and riding, the eternal one, whose pair of hands are holding the lotuses.
Please bring me good fortune always, Goddess Skandamata, the illustrious one (I bow to you).
I am a Vedic astrologer by profession. I have done Jyotish Acharya from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan. I am devoted to my Sadguru Shri Sai Nath of Shirdi. I am also interested in spirituality. I love to guide people.
I am a Vedic astrologer by profession. I have done Jyotish Acharya from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan. I am devoted to my Sadguru Shri Sai Nath of Shirdi. I am also interested in spirituality. I love to guide people.