Skandamata

Skandamātā (Sanskrit: स्कन्दमाता) is the fifth among the Navadurga forms of Mahadevi. Her name comes from Skanda, an alternate name for the war god Kartikeya, and Mātā, meaning mother.^[1][2] As one of the Navadurga, the worship of Skandamātā takes place on the fifth day of Navaratri.

Skandamata
Goddess of Motherhood
Depiction of Skandamata
Devanagari	स्कंदमाता
Affiliation	Navadurga
Abode	Mount Kailash
Planet	moon
Mantra	सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया। शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
Mount	Lion
Genealogy
Consort	Shiva
Children	Kartikeya

Symbolism

Skandamātā is four-armed, three-eyed, and rides on a lion.^[3] One of her hands is in the fear-dispelling Abhayamudra position while the other is used to hold the infant form of her son Skanda on her lap. Her remaining two hands are typically shown holding lotus flowers. She is light complexioned, and as she is often pictured seated on a lotus, she is sometimes referred to as Padamasani.^{[citation needed]}

Significance

Regularly known as "The Goddess of Fire" and believed to reward devotees with salvation, power, prosperity, treasures, wisdom (even if illiterate), and the fulfilment of all of their desires, Skandamātā possesses the brilliance of the sun. Selfless devotees are blessed with power, prosperity, and the attainment of all the achievements and treasures of life. Twice blessed and ultimately conducive to salvation, the worship of Skandamātā purifies the hearts of devotees (who consequentially shine with divine splendour) and automatically entails the worship of her son Skanda alongside her. Thus, devotees enjoy the grace of both Skandamātā and Skanda. While worshiping her, devotees should have absolute control over their senses and mind, free themselves from worldly bondage, and worship her with single-pointed devotion.^{[citation needed]}

Prayers

Mantra

ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नम:

Oṃ Devī Skandamātāyai Namaḥ

सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माञ्चित करद्वया।

शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता।

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Simhasanagata Nityam Padmashrita Karadvaya।

Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvinim॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Skandamata Rupena Samsthita।

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥

Dhyan Mantra

सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया. शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी. Sinhasangatanityampadmashritakaradvaya, Shubhadastusadadeviskandamatayashswinim

References

1. Bhāgīrthaprasāda Tripāṭhī (2000). Shakti, Shiva, and Yoga. Yagyoga Chetana Pītham. p. 60. ISBN 9788185570136.
2. Shanti Lal Nagar (1998). Indian Gods and Goddesses: Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist Goddesses. B.R. Publishing Corporation. p. 43. ISBN 978-81-7646-497-0.
3. "9 days, 9 avatars: Goddess Skandamata teaches us to love fiercely". The Times of India. October 7, 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2021.

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola