Maa Skandamata | माँ स्कंदमाता

Who is Maa Skandamata 

Maa Skandamata is the fifth form of the Hindu goddess Durga and is venerated on the fifth day of the Hindu festival of Navratri. This day usually falls in the month of Chaitra (March or April) or Ashwin (September or October). 

The term "Skanda" refers to Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, while "mata" signifies mother. Therefore, as name suggests, Maa Skandamata is another form of Maa Parvati. Maa Skandamata is revered as the mother of Lord Kartikeya or Skanda, also known as Murugan or Subramanya in various regions of India. Lord Kartikeya holds highest authority (Supreme Commander) in God's Army.

About Maa Skandamata  | माँ स्कंदमाता

Maa Skandamata  Story

Before understanding Maa Skandamata  Story lets understand Lord Kartikeya (Skand or Murugan) story.

The story of Lord Kartikeya's birth is a fascinating one. After Maa Sati self-immolated, Lord Shiva withdrew from worldly matters and began austere penance as an ascetic. During this time, the Devas (Gods) faced an onslaught from the Asuras (demons) led by Surapadman and Tarakasura.

These demons had a boon that only Shiva or his child could defeat them. Fearing that Shiva might not have child, the Devas approached Lord Vishnu for assistance. Vishnu pointed out that the Devas themselves were responsible for this situation because they had attended Daksha Prajapati's yagna without Lord Shiva, which had led to Sati's self-immolation. Vishnu then informed them about Maa Parvati, an incarnation of Maa Adi Shakti, destined to be Shiva's consort.

On behalf of the Devas, Rishi Narada approached Maa Parvati, telling her that extreme penance would make her the consort of Lord Shiva, who had been her husband in a previous birth. After thousands of years of penance, Shiva agreed to marry Maa Parvati.

The union of Shiv ji and Maa Parvati produced a fiery seed. Lord Agni was entrusted with carrying the seed to Saravana Lake until it would become Shiva's offspring. 

The heat from the seed became too intense for Agni to bear, so he handed it over to Ganga, who safely transported it to the lake in the Saravana forest. Parvati transformed into the water body to carry the seed of her husband, Shiva. Subsequently, six-faced Kartikeya was born and nurtured by six Krittikas, earning him the name Kartikeya. He grew into a handsome, intelligent, and powerful youth, also known as Kumara.

Kartikeya was to receive knowledge from Brahma but, on the first day, he questioned the meaning of Om. Brahma explained it in twelve thousand verses, but Kartikeya remained unsatisfied. He posed the same question to Shiva, who elaborated on it in twelve lakh verses. Still not content, Kartikeya explained the meaning of Om in twelve crore verses.

As the commander-in-chief of the gods' army, he received blessings from all the gods and special weapons for the battle against Tarakasura and Surapadman. In a fierce battle, he ultimately defeated Tarakasura.

Thus, Ma Skandamata is worshipped as the mother of a supremely gifted child. When one worships Skandamata, Lord Kartikeya is automatically revered as he rests in his mother's lap. Her worship brings about peace, prosperity, and salvation.

Maa Skandamata  Iconographic Insights

In Hindu mythology, Maa Skandamata is depicted with four arms.

Maa Skandamata rides upon a fierce lion and cradles baby Murugan, also known as Kartikeya, in her lap. Murugan is the brother of Lord Ganesha. She is portrayed with four hands, holding lotus flowers in her upper two hands. 

One of her right hands carries baby Murugan (Kartikeya), and the other right hand is in the Abhaya Mudra, a gesture of reassurance and protection. Seated on a lotus flower, she is often referred to as Goddess Padmasana due to her association with the lotus.

Maa Skandamata  Ruling Planet

Maa Skandamata  governs over the planet Mercury , and it is believed that worshipping her with pure intentions can ward off any adverse effects associated with the Mercury .

Maa Skandamata  Chakra Association

Maa Skandamata is linked to the heart chakra, symbolizing love, compassion, and understanding. Consequently, the worship of Skandamata is thought to activate the heart chakra, fostering emotional equilibrium and harmony in one's life. 

Worshipping Maa Skandamata : A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Begin your day by waking up early in the morning and dressing in clean clothes before starting the rituals.
2. Gather all the Puja materials, including desi ghee, a lamp (diya), flowers, vermilion, kumkum, a scarf or shawl (chunni or dupatta), holy water from the Ganges (gangajal), homemade sweets, betel leaves (paan), areca nut (supari), cloves (laung), and cardamom (elaichi).
3. Before commencing the Puja, purify the surroundings by sprinkling gangajal (holy water from the Ganges).
4. Light a lamp (diya) using desi ghee and make offerings of vermilion, paan, elaichi, supari, and two cloves (laung).
5. Recite the Skanda Mata mantra and other mantras mentioned in the Durga Saptashati.
6. Perform the recitation of the Durga Saptashati Path.
7. After completing the rituals, offer a special meal (bhog prasad) and conclude by chanting the Durga Maa Aarti before breaking the fast.

Benefits of Observing Maa Skandamata  Puja 

Blessings of Happiness: Worship of Goddess Skandamata with determination is believed to bring blessings of happiness. For couples facing difficulties in conceiving, worshipping her during Navratri can solve child-related problems.

Strengthening Jupiter's Effects: If the planet Mercury or Jupiter in your Kundali is not having a strong or positive influence, worshipping Goddess Skandamata can be beneficial.

Resolving Family Conflicts: Worshiping her can help resolve domestic disputes, infusing the home with auspicious and radiant energy.

Blessings of a Child - Fertility: For those encountering challenges in conceiving, worshipping Goddess Skandamata is believed to grant the blessing of a child. It's essential to invoke Lord Kartikeya while seeking her aid for this purpose.

Teaching Unity - Guidance: Goddess Skandamata exemplifies the constant battle between good and evil, akin to the conflicts between gods and demons. She imparts the wisdom needed to make prudent decisions. A determined mind during the puja aligns the mind, attitude, and meditation, leading to happiness and inner peace.

Problem Solving - Fulfilling Wishes: Worshipping Goddess Skandamata is highly significant in the Shastras. Devotees can fulfill their wishes and find peace through her worship. Her fierce energy, being the most potent in the solar system, can empower devotees to overcome great challenges.

Goddess of Love - Motherly Affection: Kartikeya, known as the commander of the gods, receives deep affection from Goddess Skandamata. She is the protector who descends upon the Earth to save her worshippers when adversity reigns. Her love for her son and her willingness to be named by him have earned her the title of the Goddess of love and motherhood.

Maa Skandamata Mantra

सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
Singhasanagata Nityam Padmashrit Kar dvaya ।
Shubh Dastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini ॥

ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥
Om Devi Skandamataye Namah॥

ॐ स्कन्दमात्रै नम:।।
Om Skandmatrai Namah॥

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु मां स्कंदमाता रूपेण संस्थिता। 
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhoo‍teshu Maa Skandamata Roopen Sansthita।
Namastasye Namastasye Namastasye Namo Namh ॥

People who have a desire to have children can benefit by worshiping Maa Skandamata and chanting mantras.

Maa Skandamata Aarti (आरती)

जय तेरी हो स्कन्दमाता, पांचवां नाम तुम्हारा आता॥
सबके मन की जानन हारी, जग जननी सबकी महतारी॥
तेरी जोत जलाता रहूं मैं, हरदम तुझे ध्याता रहूं मै॥
कई नामों से तुझे पुकारा, मुझे एक है तेरा सहारा॥
कही पहाड़ों पर है डेरा, कई शहरों में तेरा बसेरा॥
हर मन्दिर में तेरे नजारे, गुण गाए तेरे भक्त प्यारे॥
भक्ति अपनी मुझे दिला दो, शक्ति मेरी बिगड़ी बना दो॥
इन्द्र आदि देवता मिल सारे, करे पुकार तुम्हारे द्वारे॥
दुष्ट दैत्य जब चढ़ कर आए, तू ही खण्ड हाथ उठाए॥
दासों को सदा बचाने आयी, भक्त की आस पुजाने आयी॥

Jai Teri ho Skandamata, Panchvaan Naam Tumhara aata॥
Sabake Man Ki Janan haari, Jag jananee Sabaki mahataaree॥
Teri Jot jalaata rahoon main, haradam tujhe dhyaata rahoon mai॥
kaee naamon se tujhe pukaara, mujhe ek hai tera sahaara॥
kahee pahaadon par hai dera, kaee shaharon mein tera basera॥
har mandir mein tere najaare, gun gae tere bhakt pyaare॥
bhakti apanee mujhe dila do, shakti meree bigadee bana do॥
Indra aadi devata mil saare, kare pukaar tumhaare dvaare॥
Dushta Daitya jab chadh kar aae, Tu hee khand haath uthae॥
Daason ko sada bachaane aayee, Bhakt kee aas pujaane aayee॥

Maa Skandamata Prasad 

After worshiping on the day of Panchami Tithi, banana should be offered to Maa Skandamata(Goddess Durga) and this Prasad should be given to the Brahmin. By doing this, human intelligence develops.