This year, we celebrate Navratri from October 15th to the 24th. Navratri, a nine-day festival, is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga or Shakti in her various forms. On the fifth day of Navratri, we venerate Goddess Skandamata. It is believed that when Goddess Durga became the mother of God Skanda, she assumed the divine avatar of Goddess Skandamata. This form of Goddess Durga is associated with the planet Mercury, also known as Budha.
In Sanskrit, the term ‘Skanda’ signifies ‘fair.’ The word ‘Skanda’ is associated with God Kartikeya, and ‘Mata’ means mother. Hence, she is revered as the mother of God Kartikeya or Skanda. Worship of this incarnation of Maa Durga is believed to bestow achievement, prosperity, and a contented life.
Significance and History of Maa Skandamata
Goddess Skandamata possesses four arms, resembling Goddess Durga. She rides a lion and holds a lotus in one hand, a chime in another, a favoring gesture in the third, and God Skanda seated on her lap in the fourth. She is seated on a lotus, which is why she is also known as Goddess Padmasana.
Goddess Skandamata blesses her devotees with power, treasures, prosperity, wisdom, and salvation. To receive her blessings, one must have a pure heart and complete devotion to her. According to the Skanda Purana, the birth of God Skanda is described. Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva’s energies merged in a divine form during their meditation. When Lord Indra learned about the impending birth of the child from Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, he instigated Lord Agni to steal the divine energy. It was foretold that the child born from this energy would slay the demon Tarakasur.
Upon hearing this, Goddess Parvati turned Lord Agni to ash, making him burn continuously. She decreed that anyone who attempted to approach Agni would suffer the same fate.
It is believed that worshiping her blesses devotees with salvation, control over prosperity, and treasures. Like a loving mother, she favors her devotees with control and success.
The significance of the fifth day of Navratri is for Goddess Skandamata, who has four hands, with one hand holding infant Kartikeya. This avatar of motherhood is renowned for her kindness, compassion, and love for others. Devotees worship this form to dispel negative thoughts and attain health, wealth, and prosperity.
Navratri 2024, Fifth Day Puja Vidhi and Rituals
Maa Skandamata Puja will be observed on October 7, 2024, marking the fifth day of Navratri. This day celebrates the motherly aspect of the goddess Skandamata, who brings peace and prosperity to her devotees. White is the color associated with this day, representing purity and peace.
Goddess Parvati is also known as Goddess Skandamata after becoming the mother of Lord Kartikeya or Skanda. Worshiping Skandamata bestows the blessings of Lord Kartikeya, the God of war. On this day, offer yellow flowers, Ganga water, kumkum, ghee, and a special offering of bananas. Devotees use a shallow clay vessel as the base, adding three layers of soil and Sapta/Dhanya seeds. Sprinkle a little water to moisten it. A Kalasha filled with Ganga water and betel nut, a few coins, Akshat, and Durva grass is placed at the base of the Kalasha, and five mango leaves are positioned on the neck of the Kalasha, covered by a coconut.
Maa Skandamata Mantra
ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥
Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah॥
Maa Skandamata Prarthana
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माञ्चित करद्वया।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
Simhasanagata Nityam Padmanchita Karadvaya।
Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini॥
Stotra of Maa Skandamata
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॥
Conclusion
Worshiping Skandamata on the fifth day of Navratri helps purify the mind and body, usher in good luck and fortune, and bless devotees with peace, prosperity, and happiness. Seeking the blessings of the divine mother on this day aids in overcoming life’s obstacles and challenges.
