Skandamata | Navratri Day 5
Maa Skandamata is the 5th aspect of the goddess Durga. Goddess Skandamata is the mother of Kumara / Skanda / Kartikeya. Lord Kartikeya is a Hindu god of war who was the firstborn son of Lord Shiva and was chosen by the gods as their commander in the war against the demons. Devotees offer great reverence to Mata Skanda on the 5th of Navratri or Panchami of Durga Pooja.
Being the mother of God Kumar Kartikey, goddess Parvati is glorified with the name Skanda Mata. Goddess Skandamata is the true Goddess of patience who represented with four-arm holding six-faced infant Kumar Kartikey in her lap. Both right & left upper hands of Skandamata hold lotus flowers. As she seats on the lotus in a state of meditation, therefore, she is also revered as Padamasana Devi.
Worshipping Skandamata on the fifth day of Durga Puja or Navratri Pooja has great significance, by worshipping Goddess Skandamata, you also worship her son Karthikeya, the handsome warrior god of philosophy. She is the true Goddess of purity and the elegant appearance of Mata mesmerizes the devotees. By offering invocation to Skandamata one can pacify their soul & mind and it will make them realize the heavenly truth of life. They leave their sorrows behind and achieve the great and divine contentment in life.
The story of Maa Skandamata in English
Shukla Panchami, the fifth tithi (lunar phase) of the waxing Moon this month, marks the fifth day of Navaratri wherein we celebrate Goddess in the form of Skandamata (literally the “mother of Skanda”). Skanda is a name for Kartikeya (also known as Murugun and Subramanya), the brother of Ganesha (both sons of Shiva and Parvati).
We see Skandamata depicted holding her young six-headed son, as well as holding lotus flowers and keeping one hand in blessing mudra. In worshiping her we call forth the protection and care that the Divine Mother has for all of creation, as all are her children. She blesses us with bliss, happiness, and motherly love, as well as nourishment and good health.
Kartikeya is the Lord of War, the leader of the army of devas (gods) who fight the asuras (demons) in Hindu mythology. In the stories, the demon Tarakasura was tormenting all of humanity, and it was destined that only Lord Shiva’s son would be able to kill him and save the world. Shiva had renounced everything and was lost in meditation, however, after the death of his first wife, Sati.
The Gods devised a plan and ensured that Parvati was born (a reincarnation of Sati), and followed a path that would result in Shiva’s emerging from meditation and remarrying. When they were finally married, Shiva and Parvati ended up making love for millions of years while the world awaited their savior. Eventually, the fire deity, Agni, snuck into their cave in order to steal the seed that was needed. It was so hot that he could not hold it, however, and dropped it in the river Ganga (another manifestation of Goddess), who deposited the infant Skanda on her banks where he was found and nourished by six women (thus the six heads).
The demons represent ignorance which gives rise to all human impurities and misfortune. In worshiping Skandamata we also worship Skanda and receive his blessings, including protection from harm and victory over our enemies, both internal and external. Skandamata relates to the vishuddhi (throat chakra), meaning “pure” or “undiluted,” showing that we can attain purity and realize infinite blessings through her worship. She rules the planet Mercury (Budha), the planet and deity of communication and the intellect.
Suggested Read: Different Forms of Durga
Maa Skandamata Ki Katha
दुर्गा पूजा के पांचवे दिन देवताओं के सेनापति कुमार कार्तिकेय की माता की पूजा होती है। कुमार कार्तिकेय को ग्रंथों में सनत-कुमार, स्कन्द कुमार के नाम से पुकारा गया है। माता इस रूप में पूर्णत: ममता लुटाती हुई नज़र आती हैं। माता का पांचवा रूप शुभ्र अर्थात श्वेत है। जब अत्याचारी दानवों का अत्याचार बढ़ता है तब माता संत जनों की रक्षा के लिए सिंह पर सवार होकर दुष्टों का अंत करती हैं। देवी स्कन्दमाता की चार भुजाएं हैं, माता अपने दो हाथों में कमल का फूल धारण करती हैं और एक भुजा में भगवान स्कन्द या कुमार कार्तिकेय को सहारा देकर अपनी गोद में लिये बैठी हैं। मां का चौथा हाथ भक्तो को आशीर्वाद देने की मुद्रा मे है।
देवी स्कन्द माता ही हिमालय की पुत्री पार्वती हैं इन्हें ही माहेश्वरी और गौरी के नाम से जाना जाता है। यह पर्वत राज की पुत्री होने से पार्वती कहलाती हैं, महादेव की वामिनी यानी पत्नी होने से माहेश्वरी कहलाती हैं और अपने गौर वर्ण के कारण देवी गौरी के नाम से पूजी जाती हैं। माता को अपने पुत्र से अधिक प्रेम है अत: मां को अपने पुत्र के नाम के साथ संबोधित किया जाना अच्छा लगता है। जो भक्त माता के इस स्वरूप की पूजा करते है मां उस पर अपने पुत्र के समान स्नेह लुटाती हैं।
Maa Skandamata Mantra
Simhasanagata Nityam Padmanchita Karadvaya,
Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini.
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Skandamata Rupena Samsthita,
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah.
सिंघासनगता नित्यम पद्माश्रितकरद्वया |
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्द माता यशश्विनी ||
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मां स्कंदमाता रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।।
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