The worship of Skanda Mata on Day 5 of Navratri, a nine-day celebration honoring all nine incarnations of Goddess Durga, marks a key turning point in the celebration. She is the sixth manifestation of Durga, and is honored as the mother of the deity of combat and victory, Lord Kartikeya (also called Skanda).
Significance of Day 5: Skanda Mata
Skanda Mata represents the nurturing and protective aspect of motherhood. Her name, “Skanda Mata,” means “Mother of Skanda,” and she is often portrayed holding her son on her lap. This divine mother symbolizes strength, courage, and unconditional love. Worshiping Skanda Mata on the fifth day of Navratri is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and the well-being of children. She also blesses her devotees with wisdom and a tranquil mind.
Symbolism of Skanda Mata
Skanda Mata stands for the protecting and nurturing side of motherhood. “Skanda Mata,” which translates to “Mother of Skanda,” is frequently depicted with her son nestled in her lap. This celestial mother is a representation of bravery, strength, and unwavering love. On the fifth day of Navratri, worshiping Skanda Mata is thought to provide prosperity, serenity, and the wellbeing of children. Her followers are also bestowed with wisdom and mental peace by her.
Her connection to the lotus symbolizes the spiritual and intellectual growth that occurs despite life’s obstacles. The lion represents the courage to face challenges and the fearless defense of her followers and offspring.
Rituals of Worshiping Skanda Mata
On the fifth day of Navratri, worship consists of rituals that call upon Skanda Mata’s caring and protective force. The rites are performed with great humility and dedication; they are basic yet profound.
- Altar Preparation: Devotees set up a clean and sacred space for the idol or image of Skanda Mata, decorated with fresh flowers, especially lotus and jasmine, symbolizing purity.
- Offerings: Special offerings include fruits, milk, and sweets like kheer, which are believed to please the Goddess. Lotus flowers, incense, and camphor are essential elements during the worship.
- Chanting and Prayers: Devotees recite mantras dedicated to Skanda Mata, such as the following: “Om Devi Skanda Matryai Namah.” This mantra is chanted 108 times to invoke her blessings for good health, wisdom, and protection.
- Lighting the Lamp: Lighting an oil or ghee lamp is an integral part of the ritual. It signifies the removal of darkness (ignorance) and the spread of light (knowledge and wisdom).
- Meditation and Reflection: After offering prayers and chanting mantras, devotees meditate to seek inner peace and the grace of Skanda Mata. Reflecting on her nurturing qualities helps devotees connect with their inner strength and compassion.
Spiritual Benefits of Worshiping Skanda Mata
Skanda Mata is known for blessing her devotees with the following spiritual and material benefits:
- Inner Peace and Calmness: Her serene form represents the tranquility that devotees experience when they surrender their worries to her.
- Protection and Courage: Skanda Mata is the mother of a warrior god, and her blessings give devotees the courage to face life’s challenges with valor.
- Wisdom and Prosperity: Worshiping Skanda Mata is believed to enhance wisdom and spiritual insight. She also brings material prosperity and the well-being of children, especially for families who worship her with devotion.
Conclusion
Skanda Mata is the focus of celebration on the fifth day of Navratri, which honors maternal love, protection, and divine knowledge. Worshippers ask for her blessings in the form of tranquility, wealth, and the fortitude to face life’s obstacles. Seated on a lotus with her infant in tow, Skanda Mata personifies the clean, benevolent energy that nourishes and leads her followers toward prosperity, contentment, and spiritual development.
The devotion of Skanda Mata serves as a constant reminder of the beauty of unselfish love and the strength of divine protection as we go through Navratri.
