Fifth Day Of Navratri - Maa Skandmata

On the fifth day of Navratri, Goddess Skandmata, the fifth form of Maa Durga, is worshipped. Skanda is the name of Lord Kartikeya. Skandmata means mother of Kartikeya. Lord Kartikeya was the eldest son of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati and the commander of the gods in the battle of Devasura with Tarakasur. Worshiping Maa Skandmata brings happiness, peace, wealth and opulence, child happiness, and salvation. Maa Skandmata fulfills all the wishes of her devotees.

Skandmata Meaning

• Maa Skandmata, the fifth form of Maa Durga, has assumed a quadrilateral form.
  
  

• Maa Skandmata has taken care of Kartikeya sitting in her lap with one hand. She has a beautiful lotus in two hands and one hand is in Abhaya mudra from which she blesses the devotees.
  
  

• Due to being seated on the lotus seat of Maa Skandmata, she is also known as Padmasana.
  
  

• Maa Skandmata's ride is a lion.
  
  

• Maa loves the white color.
  
  

Story of Maa Skandmata

According to mythology, an Asura named Tarakasura had pleased Brahma with his severe penance. Pleased with his penance, Lord Brahma asked him to ask for a boon. Then Tarakasur asked for the boon of immortality from Brahma. Lord Brahma told him that whosoever takes birth, his death is certain. So you ask for something else. Then Tarakasur thought and told Brahma that my killing is possible only through the son of Lord Shiva, you give me such a boon. Lord Brahma gave him this boon.

Tarakasura had asked for such a boon because after the death of goddess Sati, Lord Shiva had become disinterested and he went into meditation. That's why Tarakasur thought that now Lord Shiva will not marry again and neither will his son be born. This will make me immortal.

Tarakasur started torturing the gods and humans with the power of this boon. He had subdued the three worlds. There was an outcry in all directions. People started wailing in terror. Then all the gods prayed to Lord Shiva and goddess Adishakti to help them.

Then goddess Sati reincarnated as Goddess Parvati by becoming the daughter of the mountain king Himalaya. She did severe penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Then Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married and their eldest son Kartikeya led the gods in the Devasura war against Tarakasur and killed Tarakasur and liberated the three worlds from his wrath.

Significance Of 5th Day of Navratri

Offer yellow flowers in the worship of Skandamata and enjoy yellow things. It is also considered very good to distribute fruits and sweets to children on this day to remove child-related problems. By doing this, soon the noises start echoing in the house.

Skandmata Mantra

After worshiping the Maa methodically, while reciting this mantra, meditate on Maa Skandmata.

Meditation Mantras of Maa Skandmata

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॥

Mantra 

ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं स्कंदमातायै कंदमातायै नम: ॥

Praise Mantra of Maa Skandmata

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता।

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥ 

Conclusion

Maa Skandmata is the fifth form of Maa Durga which is worshiped in Navratri. Talk to astrologers to know how to worship on the fifth day of Navratri for the blessings of Maa Skandmata.