Skandamata is the fifth form of Navadurga or Mahadevi. Her name is derived from Skanda which is another name for Karthikeya the God of war and Mata, meaning mother. She is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri.
Skandamata has three eyes and four arms. She is holding her newborn son Skanda in her right hand, while her left hand is in the fear-dispelling Abhayamudra position. She is seen holding lotus flowers in her remaining two hands. She is also seated on a lotus, which is why she is also known as Padamasani.
Skandamata imparts wisdom, power, and prosperity to devotees who worship her and fulfil all their material and spiritual needs. Skandamata purifies the heart of the devotees who worship her with single-minded devotion. It is believed that a devotee who worships her is twice blessed and automatically gets into the good books of her son Karthikeya or Murugan in her lap. She is also known as “The Goddess of Fire”. Her abode is in Vishuddha chakra which symbolizes purity in all directions. She has a Shubhra complexion which means pure white. According to legend planet Budha is governed by Goddess Skandamata.
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The Legend of Maa Brahmacharini
Navaratri Day 5: Significance
It is believed that people who worship Skandamata on this day are released from all their worldly troubles and tensions. Hence people who have depression or anxiety are specifically advised to observe fast and offer prayers to mother Goddess Skandamata who is so full of love and compassion for her children that she never disappoints them or makes them go back empty-handed.
According to the Scriptures once upon a time, there was a demon called Tarkasur who penanced before Lord Brahma for many years to seek a boon of immortality. But Lord Brahma refused and clearly told him that nobody can be immortal. So Tarkasur played a smart trick and asked Lord Brahma to grant him a boon that he would only die in the hands of Lord Shiva’s son.
Tarkasur assumed that it was not possible for Lord Shiva to have a son because he always practised austerity and was detached from everything. Lord Brahma granted Tarkasur the boon he asked for and vanished.
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The Legend of Maa Chandraghanta
Meanwhile, Tarkashur became overconfident that no one could harm him so he started spreading terror in the universe as nobody could kill him. Tormented by this all deities approached Lord Vishnu and sought his help. Lord Vishnu knew that Parvati the daughter of King Himavat was an incarnation of Goddess Sati and was destined to marry Lord Shiva. So he assured the deities and told them not to worry.
Lord Vishnu told them that Devi Parvati, who was an embodiment of Adi Parashakti was destined to be Shiva’s consort. Hering this the Gods were pleased and asked sage Narad to meet Devi Parvati and ask her to observe extreme penance to marry Lord Shiva who was her husband in her previous birth.
After countless years of penance, Lord Shiva finally relented and married her. Their combined energies produced a fiery seed. God Agni, the god of fire, was asked to carefully carry the seed to Saravana Lake till the radiance from the seed becomes Lord Shiva’s child. However, the heat from the seed became unbearable even for Agni to bear so he handed the seed to Ganga who agreed to carry the seed to the lake in the forest Saravana. Parvati then took the form of a water body as she alone was capable of carrying her yet-to-be-born son.
Soon, Kartikeya was born with 6 faces and was taken care of by 6 Krittikas (mothers). Hence, he got the name Kartikeya. He grew up to be a handsome, intelligent and powerful youth and youth.
Lord Brahma offered to teach him but on the very first day he asked Brahma the meaning of Om. Brahma explained the meaning in 12,000 verses, but Kartikeya was unsatisfied. So he asked the same question to Shiva and he explained it in 12 lakh verses. However, Kartikeya was still unsatisfied, so he himself explained the meaning in 12 crore verses.
Once he grew up Kartikeye was appointed commander-in-chief of the Gods army and gifted special weapons to fight Tarkasur and Surapadman who were eventually beaten by Kartikeya in a fiercely-fought battle.
Colour
Orange colour is associated with Maa Skandamata as orange colour signifies brightness, knowledge and tranquillity. Goddess Skandamata like red-coloured flowers hence red roses or hibiscus (gudhail in Hindi) are used for her pooja.
Puja Vidhi:
According to Devi Purana, Maa Skandamata the presiding deity of the Sun is very bright. Mother Skandamata wears yellow clothes which are a symbol of intelligence, superiority as well as divine energy. This is the reason why this colour is used for the dress of Skandamata while worshipping on the fifth day of Navratri. Devotees should wear white-coloured clothes while worshipping Maa Skandamata. On this day the mother can be worshipped by wearing any white clothes.
Bhog:
Bananas are offered as prasad to this Devi with the chanting of mantras. Offer bananas or sweets made of bananas like banana shakes, banana mousse etc. as bhog to the mother. Even fruits, sweets, flowers, rice, and water are also offered during her worship.
Mantra
ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥
Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah॥
Hail mother Skandamata Devi
Prarthana
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माञ्चित करद्वया।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
Simhasanagata Nityam Padmanchita Karadvaya।
Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini॥
May the glorious Skandamata, always seated on a lion-throne with a lotus in her two hands,
bestow auspiciousness upon us
Stuti
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Skandamata Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
“Salutations to the Goddess Skandamata, who is present in all beings in the form of a mother.
I bow to her again and again.”
Dhyana
वन्दे वाञ्छित कामार्थे चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
सिंहरूढ़ा चतुर्भुजा स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनीम्॥
धवलवर्णा विशुध्द चक्रस्थितों पञ्चम दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।
अभय पद्म युग्म करां दक्षिण उरू पुत्रधराम् भजेम्॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां मृदुहास्या नानालङ्कार भूषिताम्।
मञ्जीर, हार, केयूर, किङ्किणि, रत्नकुण्डल धारिणीम्॥
प्रफुल्ल वन्दना पल्लवाधरां कान्त कपोलाम् पीन पयोधराम्।
कमनीयां लावण्यां चारू त्रिवली नितम्बनीम्॥
Vande Vanchhita Kamarthe Chandrardhakritashekharam।
Simharudha Chaturbhuja Skandamata Yashasvinim॥
Dhawalavarna Vishuddha Chakrasthitom Panchama Durga Trinetram।
Abhaya Padma Yugma Karam Dakshina Uru Putradharam Bhajem॥
Patambara Paridhanam Mriduhasya Nanalankara Bhushitam।
Manjira, Hara, Keyura, Kinkini, Ratnakundala Dharinim॥
Praphulla Vandana Pallavadharam Kanta Kapolam Pina Payodharam।
Kamaniyam Lavanyam Charu Triwali Nitambanim॥
I worship Skandamata, who is adorned with a crescent moon on her forehead, who rides on a lion, and has four arms. She is the glorious one.
She is pure and white like snow, and holds a lotus in each of her hands. She is seated on a lotus flower and has three eyes, and her right arm is raised in a gesture of fearlessness.
She wears a silk garment and is adorned with various ornaments such as ankle bells, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. She has a gentle smile on her face, and her beauty is captivating.
Her lips are red like the hibiscus flower, and her bosom is full like a pitcher. She is charming and graceful, and her waist is slender and delicate. I worship the beautiful and divine Skandamata.
Stotra
नमामि स्कन्दमाता स्कन्दधारिणीम्।
समग्रतत्वसागरम् पारपारगहराम्॥
शिवाप्रभा समुज्वलां स्फुच्छशागशेखराम्।
ललाटरत्नभास्करां जगत्प्रदीप्ति भास्कराम्॥
महेन्द्रकश्यपार्चितां सनत्कुमार संस्तुताम्।
सुरासुरेन्द्रवन्दिता यथार्थनिर्मलाद्भुताम्॥
अतर्क्यरोचिरूविजां विकार दोषवर्जिताम्।
मुमुक्षुभिर्विचिन्तितां विशेषतत्वमुचिताम्॥
नानालङ्कार भूषिताम् मृगेन्द्रवाहनाग्रजाम्।
सुशुध्दतत्वतोषणां त्रिवेदमार भूषणाम्॥
सुधार्मिकौपकारिणी सुरेन्द्र वैरिघातिनीम्।
शुभां पुष्पमालिनीं सुवर्णकल्पशाखिनीम्
तमोऽन्धकारयामिनीं शिवस्वभावकामिनीम्।
सहस्रसूर्यराजिकां धनज्जयोग्रकारिकाम्॥
सुशुध्द काल कन्दला सुभृडवृन्दमज्जुलाम्।
प्रजायिनी प्रजावति नमामि मातरम् सतीम्॥
स्वकर्मकारणे गतिं हरिप्रयाच पार्वतीम्।
अनन्तशक्ति कान्तिदां यशोअर्थभुक्तिमुक्तिदाम्॥
पुनः पुनर्जगद्धितां नमाम्यहम् सुरार्चिताम्।
जयेश्वरि त्रिलोचने प्रसीद देवी पाहिमाम्॥
Namami Skandamata Skandadharinim।
Samagratatvasagaram Paraparagaharam॥
Shivaprabha Samujvalam Sphuchchhashagashekharam।
Lalataratnabhaskaram Jagatpradipti Bhaskaram॥
Mahendrakashyaparchita Sanantakumara Samstutam।
Surasurendravandita Yatharthanirmaladbhutam॥
Atarkyarochiruvijam Vikara Doshavarjitam।
Mumukshubhirvichintitam Visheshatatvamuchitam॥
Nanalankara Bhushitam Mrigendravahanagrajam।
Sushuddhatatvatoshanam Trivedamara Bhushanam॥
Sudharmikaupakarini Surendra Vairighatinim।
Shubham Pushpamalinim Suvarnakalpashakhinim॥
Tamoandhakarayamini Shivasvabhavakaminim।
Sahasrasuryarajikam Dhanajjayogakarikam॥
Sushuddha Kala Kandala Subhridavrindamajjulam।
Prajayini Prajawati Namami Mataram Satim॥
Swakarmakarane Gatim Hariprayacha Parvatim।
Anantashakti Kantidam Yashoarthabhuktimuktidam॥
Punah Punarjagadditam Namamyaham Surarchitam।
Jayeshwari Trilochane Prasida Devi Pahimam॥
I bow down to Skanda Mata, who carries Skanda (Murugan) on her lap. She is the deep ocean of completeness and takes us across it. She is radiant with the aura of Shiva, has a shining crown, and her forehead is adorned with a gem, which illuminates the world.
She is worshipped by Mahendra and Kashyapa and praised by Sanatkumara. She is pure and miraculous, and both the gods and demons worship her. She is beautiful and flawless, and the seekers of liberation meditate on her special qualities.
She is decorated with various ornaments and rides on a lion. She is the embodiment of purity and her three eyes represent the three Vedas. She is the benefactor of righteousness and destroys the enemies of the gods.
She wears a garland of flowers and a golden bracelet. She destroys the darkness of ignorance and is the desire of Lord Shiva. She is as bright as a thousand suns and gives wealth, victory, and liberation.
I bow down to the divine mother who has a clean, bright, and beautiful complexion. She is the mother of all and gives birth to the universe. Please grant me the ability to do my duties and bless me with unlimited power, glory, and freedom.
I repeatedly worship Skanda Mata, who is adored by the gods. O victorious three-eyed goddess, please be merciful and protect me.
Kavacha
ऐं बीजालिंका देवी पदयुग्मधरापरा।
हृदयम् पातु सा देवी कार्तिकेययुता॥
श्री ह्रीं हुं ऐं देवी पर्वस्या पातु सर्वदा।
सर्वाङ्ग में सदा पातु स्कन्दमाता पुत्रप्रदा॥
वाणवाणामृते हुं फट् बीज समन्विता।
उत्तरस्या तथाग्ने च वारुणे नैॠतेअवतु॥
इन्द्राणी भैरवी चैवासिताङ्गी च संहारिणी।
सर्वदा पातु मां देवी चान्यान्यासु हि दिक्षु वै॥
Aim Bijalinka Devi Padayugmadharapara।
Hridayam Patu Sa Devi Kartikeyayuta॥
Shri Hrim Hum Aim Devi Parvasya Patu Sarvada।
Sarvanga Mein Sada Patu Skandamata Putraprada॥
Vanavanamritem Hum Phat Bija Samanvita।
Uttarasya Tathagne Cha Varune Nairiteavatu॥
Indrani Bhairavi Chaivasitangi Cha Samharini।
Sarvada Patu Mam Devi Chanyanyasu Hi Dikshu Vai॥
I bow to Skandamata, who holds Skanda, the ocean of completeness and depth, like a necklace. Her radiance shines like that of Lord Shiva, and she wears a jewel on her forehead that illuminates the whole universe. She is worshipped by Maharishi Kashyap and praised by the gods and demons alike for her immaculate and wondrous nature.
May the goddess Skandamata, who rides a lion, who is the embodiment of purity, the bestower of auspiciousness, and the ornament of the three worlds, protect my heart. She is worshipped by Lord Kartikeya, and she grants liberation to those who seek it.
May the goddess of this festival always protect me with the bija (seed) mantras of Aing, Bheejalingka, and Hreem, and with the sound of Hum. She is Skandamata, the giver of sons, and may she always protect all my limbs.
May the goddess Skandamata always protect me with the sacred mantra Vanavanamritam, which is associated with the bija (seed) mantra of Phat. May she protect me in the north, south, east, and west, and in all directions. She is the mother of Indra, Bhairava, and Asitaanga, and may she protect me from all sides.
Aarti
जय तेरी हो स्कन्द माता। पांचवां नाम तुम्हारा आता॥
सबके मन की जानन हारी। जग जननी सबकी महतारी॥
तेरी जोत जलाता रहूं मैं। हरदम तुझे ध्याता रहूं मै॥
कई नामों से तुझे पुकारा। मुझे एक है तेरा सहारा॥
कही पहाड़ों पर है डेरा। कई शहरों में तेरा बसेरा॥
हर मन्दिर में तेरे नजारे। गुण गाए तेरे भक्त प्यारे॥
भक्ति अपनी मुझे दिला दो। शक्ति मेरी बिगड़ी बना दो॥
इन्द्र आदि देवता मिल सारे। करे पुकार तुम्हारे द्वारे॥
दुष्ट दैत्य जब चढ़ कर आए। तू ही खण्ड हाथ उठाए॥
दासों को सदा बचाने आयी। भक्त की आस पुजाने आयी॥
Victory be to you, O Skanda Mata, Your fifth name is well-known.
You know everyone’s innermost thoughts, O mother of the universe.
I keep your lamp burning, And I always meditate upon you.
You are called by many names, But to me, you are my only refuge.
Your abode is on mountain peaks, And in many cities you are revered.
In every temple, people worship you, And sing your praises.
Please bless me with devotion, And turn my weaknesses into strengths.
All the gods and goddesses, Invoke you and call out to you.
When evil forces rise up, You raise your sword to protect your devotees.
You come to rescue your devotees, And fulfill their every wish.
