Form 5 of 9 · Night 5 of Navratri
Skandamata
The fifth form of Durga, worshipped on the fifth night: Skandamata, the mother of Skanda, Kartikeya, holding her son on her lap.
- Her name means
- Mother of Skanda
- Rides a lion
- Her night
- Night 5
- of Navratri
The story
The demon Tarakasura could be killed only by a son of Shiva. So the gods longed for Shiva and Parvati to have a child.
Their son Skanda, also called Kartikeya and Murugan, became the commander of the gods’ army and killed Tarakasura.
As Skandamata, the Goddess is worshipped as his loving mother; worshipping her, it is said, brings the blessing of both mother and son.
What she gives
A mother’s love and protection, and the blessing of children.
How she is shown
Four-armed, seated on a lotus (so also called Padmasana), holding the infant Skanda on her lap and a lotus in two hands, riding a lion.
Her verse
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
Simhasanagata nityam padmashritakaradvaya,
Shubhadastu sada Devi Skandamata yashasvini.
Ever seated on her lion throne, a lotus in each of two hands, may the glorious goddess Skandamata always bring good.
सदा सिंहासन पर विराजमान, दोनों हाथों में कमल लिए, यशस्विनी देवी स्कन्दमाता सदा कल्याण करें।
Her mantra ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमःOm Devi Skandamatayai Namah
Her night
The fifth night of Navratri
Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth night of Navratri, the tithi of Panchami, in spring (Chaitra) and in autumn (Sharad).
Find this year’s NavratriWhere she is worshipped
In every Durga temple and festival pandal on her night of Navratri. In Varanasi each of the nine forms has a temple of her own, and pilgrims visit one each night.
Questions
Who is Skanda?
The son of Shiva and Parvati, also called Kartikeya and, in Tamil Nadu, Murugan: the commander of the gods’ army.
What is Skandamata prayed to for?
For a mother’s care and protection, and by many for the blessing of children.