Navratri 2017 Day 5 - Maa Skanda Mata

The Fifth Day of Sharad Navratri 2017 falls on 25th of September. The fifth day of Navratri is considered as a day to worship Skanda Mata, who is also referred to as the mother of Kumar Skanda. She is often depicted as holding her six headed son in her lap, delineating motherhood, mother child relationships, fertility and endurance. It is believed that one can get enkindled with purity of mind by worshiping Goddess Skanda Mata. This is because of her devotees stepping into the Vishuddha Chakra, i.e. a state of mind possessing unblended thoughts.

Celebrate the warmth of a mother’s love on the fifth day of Navratri . Maa Skanda Mata would arrive all dolled up, sitting on her angelic lotus, with her arms wide open to bless us and accept all our flaws with her heart melting love.

Appearance of Goddess Skanda Mata

When it comes to differentiate the fifth form of Goddess Durga on the basis of her appearance then one can easily tell apart this manifestation. Goddess Skanda Mata is fair or shubra (white) complexioned, possessing three eyes and four arms and the deity is sighted to be straddle on a fierce lion and holding the two lotus flowers in each of her upper two hands. She holds her son Skanda (also known by the name Kartikeya) with her lower right hand, while her other hand is upheaved in Abhay mudra to vouchsafe the blessings upon her seekers and the devotees. It is also believed that the devotees receive the blessings of both Goddess Skanda Mata and Kartikeya, when they worship the Goddess on this particular day. It is also surmised that she usually sits on a lotus flower while meditating and this is the reason, she is also known as Padamasani.

Legend

In proportion to the Hindu Mythology, it is believed that when all Manushya, Devtas and Rishis were exasperated by the enormities of demon Tarakasur, they went before Lord Brahma to seek his help to put an end to the demon’s despotism. Earlier Tarkasur was blessed with a boon of indomitability from all except Lord Shiva’s son, as Lord Brahma was pleased by the atonement of Tarakasur. Then, upon being persuaded by all the devtas, Lord Shiva acceded and got married to Parvati, daughter of Himalaya and later on, their son Skanda annihilated the demon Tarakasur. So, being the mother of such a dauntless son, Goddess Parvati came to be known as Skanda Mata and therefore, she became the fifth form of Goddess Durga. The devotees beseech the blessings and grace of Skanda Mata Devi by chanting mantras, observing fast and praying. On the other hand, several other deities are also worshiped along with her on Navaratri Panchami (fifth day) to seek their blessings.

The portrait of Goddess Skanda Mata is festooned with magnificent clothes and embellishments during the early morning hours. The day is epitomized with the offerings of sweets and money by the devotees. And on this auspicious occasion all the chapters of ‘Durga Saptashati, a religious book, are read.

Mantras for Goddess Skanda Mata

Worship of Goddess Skanda Mata starts with the chanting or recitation of the following mantra:

सिंहासना गता नित्यं पद्माश्रि तकरद्वया |
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी ||

Sinhasan Gata Nitayam, Padmashrit Kardvaya |
Shubhdastu Sada Devi, Skanda Mata Yashashvini ||

So, on the 5th day of Navaratri, women like to bejewel themselves in several sparkling & enchanting ethnic wear. Hence, it is evident that the path towards moksha is attained by her devotees only by her grace.

Astrological Aspect

Goddess Skanda Mata rules the planet Mercury and thus it can be inferred that worshipping Goddess Skanda Mata can eliminate the malefic effects of Mercury from the life of the devotees.

We, at MyKundali wish that Goddess Skanda Mata bestows prosperity on you and fulfills your yearnings and desires. We wish you a very happy and prosperous Navratri!