As Navratri enters its fifth day, devotees across India turn their reverence to Maa Skandamata, one of the most nurturing and compassionate forms of Goddess Durga. This day holds deep spiritual significance, as Maa Skandamata symbolizes the maternal aspect of the divine. Known as the mother of Lord Skanda (Kartikeya), she embodies motherly love, protection, and guidance.
Who is Maa Skandamata
Maa Skandamata, the fifth manifestation of Goddess Durga, is depicted seated on a lion, holding her son, Lord Skanda, in her lap. Kartikeya, also known as the god of war, is shown with six faces, symbolizing his readiness to protect the world from evil. Skandamata’s gentle yet powerful aura represents the divine bond between mother and child, a bond that invokes a sense of unity and love in her followers, making her a figure of nurturing love and courage.
Worshipping Maa Skandamata is believed to bring wisdom, peace, and prosperity blessings. She also governs the planet Mercury, helping devotees purify their thoughts and intellect. Her blessings are said to remove obstacles, a promise that fills her followers with hope, and bestow happiness upon her followers.
The Story of Maa Skandamata
The story of Skanda Mata is one of cosmic significance. Born as Parvati, the daughter of King Himavat, she was the reincarnation of Sati, Lord Shiva’s first wife, who had immolated herself in grief and anger. After Sati’s sacrifice, Lord Shiva retreated into deep meditation, severing all ties with the material world. Meanwhile, a great threat loomed over the heavens—a demon named Tarakasura.
Tarakasura had performed intense penance and pleased Lord Brahma, asking for the boon of immortality. When Brahma refused, the cunning demon requested a boon that he could only be killed by the son of Lord Shiva, knowing well that Shiva had withdrawn from worldly life. With this boon granted, Tarakasura became invincible, tormenting the gods, rishis, and mankind alike.
In their despair, the gods turned to Lord Vishnu, who revealed that Parvati, destined to marry Shiva, was the only hope for their salvation. Guided by Narada Muni’s counsel, Parvati performed severe austerities to win Shiva’s heart. With the intervention of Kamadeva, the god of love, Shiva’s heart was stirred, and he accepted Parvati as his wife. Their union brought forth a supremely powerful child, Kartikeya, also known as Skanda, who was destined to destroy Tarakasura.
As Kartikeya grew, he trained in the art of war under the loving gaze of his mother, Skanda Mata. His skills in battle were unmatched, and when the time came, he was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the gods by Lord Brahma himself. Armed with divine strength and courage, Kartikeya set out to defeat Tarakasura. The battle raged on for years, but finally, Kartikeya’s spear pierced through the demon, ending his reign of terror.
The gods rejoiced, praising Kartikeya for his bravery and honoring his mother, Skanda Mata, for nurturing such a powerful and righteous son.
On this day, as devotees worship Skanda Mata, they are reminded of her divine role in protecting the universe from evil. Seated on a lotus flower, holding her child in her lap, she represents both maternal love and the fierce power of righteousness. Her serene visage offers tranquility to all who seek her blessings. The lotus she holds symbolizes purity, and her devotees, through their prayers, strive to cleanse their minds and souls of worldly impurities.
Benefits of Worshipping Maa Skandamata
On this day, devotees focus on the Vishuddha Chakra (throat chakra), believed to enhance communication and spiritual clarity. By meditating and chanting her mantras, followers seek her divine blessings for a life of peace and fulfillment. Traditional offerings of bananas and white flowers further honor Maa Skandamata, bringing health and long life.
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॥
Maa Skandamata 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॥
Maa Skandamata 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॥
Maa 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॥
Maa Skandamata 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॥
Maa Skandamata Aarti
जय तेरी हो स्कन्द माता। पाँचवाँ नाम तुम्हारा आता॥
सबके मन की जानन हारी। जग जननी सबकी महतारी॥
तेरी जोत जलाता रहूँ मैं। हरदम तुझे ध्याता रहूँ 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 गाये 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 आये। तू ही खण्ड हाथ उठाये॥
दासों को सदा बचाने आयी। भक्त की आस पुजाने आयी॥