On the fifth day of Navratri, devotees pray to this form of Mother Divine – Skandamata. They chant mantras, fast, offer sweets and money, and perform pujas or rituals.
Navratri falls between October 15th and October 23th in 2023
‘Skandamata’ literally means ‘mother of Skanda’ or Karthikeya, God of War. Lord Karthikeya was chosen to be the commander-in-chief of the army of devas or gods that was waging war on the Asuras or demons.
Double blessing of Devi and son
When you pray to Skandamata, you are doubly blessed. This is because you are also bowing before Lord Karthikeya, (in infant form), who is seated on her lap.
Form of the Devi
Ma Skandamata Devi has four arms. In two of her hands, she carries a lotus. She supports her divine son, Karthikeya with one arm. The fourth hand is in a blessing position to grant the wishes of her devotees. She has three eyes. She is depicted holding her six-faced son, Karthikeya, with one of her arms.
She is seated on a lotus, and so, is also known as Padmasana. She rides a lion. Her complexion is white, and so she looks bright.
What Skandamata represents
Ma Skandamata Devi has a benevolent and blissful face as she carries her divine son. Her power lies in the strength of a mother’s love. She blesses her devotees wholeheartedly, showering them with affection comparable to the maternal love she shows her son.
Devotees who pray to Ma Skandamata Devi with a pure and dedicated heart are blessed with wisdom, wealth, power, prosperity, and salvation. They experience peace of mind, satisfaction and bliss. It is said that her blessings make the most intellectually-challenged person intelligent. She enables her devotees to move towards deeper consciousness, which is the path towards moksha or enlightenment.
Legend behind how Devi became Skandamata
Legend has it that there was once a great demon called Tarakasura, who would often trouble the gods in heaven. By performing severe penance and pleasing the Creator, Lord Brahma, he secured a boon that he could not be killed by anyone but the son of Shiva.
At this time, Shiva was in mourning, after his first wife, Sati, immolated herself. He had become a Yogi and had retired to the mountains undertaking severe austerities, and immersing himself in meditation. Since it seemed that Lord Shiva would not take up the role of a householder again, this boon almost made Tarakasura invincible. Therefore, he fearlessly attacked the devas, causing much havoc in the heavens.
However, with her deep devotion and steadfast penance, Parvati pleased Lord Shiva and convinced him to come out of his asceticism. Subsequently, they married each other and Lord Karthikeya was born. He became the commander-in-chief of the army of gods that went to battle with the demons and killed Tarakasura. Thus, Lord Skanda or Karthikeya relieved the heavens of much torment and suffering.
As she was the mother of such a valiant son, Parvati was called Skandamata.
In Varanasi, there is a temple for Ma Skandamata that devotees visit on pilgrimages.
Spiritual significance of Skandamata
Skandamata is all about maternal energy.
It is believed that Skanda with his six faces is symbolic of the six senses.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says that Skandamata is the mother of the six systems of knowledge or philosophy – Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Vedanta, and Mimamsa. They are the six limbs of the Vedas or body of knowledge.
There are 64 disciplines of art and science like music, astrology, phonetics and meters embedded in these philosophies. When we pray to Skandamata, we are bowing before the mother of all wisdom. Hence, it is the path to higher learning and enlightenment.
You can watch Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s talk on Skandamata here.
To chant Devi Kavacham click here.
Written by: Anusha Chellappa
Reviewed by: Nakul Dhawan
Based on Wisdom talks by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
