Skandamata
{{short description|Fifth form of goddess Durga}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = Skandamata Sanghasri 2010 Arnab Dutta.JPG
| caption = Depiction of Skandamata
| name = Skandamata
| Devanagari = स्कंदमाता
| affiliation = Navadurga
| abode = Mount Kailash
| mantra = सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
| weapon =
| consort = Shiva
| mount = Lion
| planet = moon
| children = Kartikeya
| deity_of = Goddess of Motherhood
}}
Skandamātā ({{langx|sa|स्कन्दमाता}}) is the fifth among the Navadurga forms of Mahadevi. Her name comes from Skanda, an alternate name for the war god Kartikeya, and Mātā, meaning mother.{{cite book|author=Bhāgīrthaprasāda Tripāṭhī|title=Shakti, Shiva, and Yoga|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=84vXAAAAMAAJ|year=2000|page=60|publisher=Yagyoga Chetana Pītham|isbn=9788185570136 }}{{cite book|author=Shanti Lal Nagar|title=Indian Gods and Goddesses: Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist Goddesses|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iX7XAAAAMAAJ|year=1998|page=43|publisher=B.R. Publishing Corporation|isbn=978-81-7646-497-0}} As one of the Navadurga, the worship of Skandamātā takes place on the fifth day of Navaratri.
Symbolism
File:Mata_Skandmata_in_Vaishno_Devi_During_Navratri.jpg
Skandamātā is four-armed, three-eyed, and rides on a lion.{{cite news |title=9 days, 9 avatars: Goddess Skandamata teaches us to love fiercely |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/the-photo-blog/9-days-9-avatars-goddess-skandamata-teaches-us-to-love-fiercely/ |access-date=19 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=October 7, 2016}} One of her hands is in the fear-dispelling Abhayamudra position while the other is used to hold the infant form of her son Skanda on her lap. Her remaining two lower hands are typically shown holding lotus flowers. She is light complexioned, and as she is often pictured seated on a lotus, she is sometimes referred to as Padamasani.{{Cn|date=July 2021}}
Significance
{{tone|section|date=November 2024}}
Regularly known as "The Goddess of Fire" and believed to reward devotees with salvation, power, prosperity, treasures, wisdom (even if illiterate), and the fulfilment of all of their desires, Skandamātā possesses the brilliance of the sun. Selfless devotees are blessed with power, prosperity, and the attainment of all the achievements and treasures of life. Twice blessed and ultimately conducive to salvation, the worship of Skandamātā purifies the hearts of devotees (who consequentially shine with divine splendour) and automatically entails the worship of her son Skanda alongside her. Thus, devotees enjoy the grace of both Skandamātā and Skanda. While worshiping her, devotees should have absolute control over their senses and mind, free themselves from worldly bondage, and worship her with single-pointed devotion.{{Cn|date=July 2021}}
Prayers
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2021}}
= Mantra =
ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नम:
Oṃ Devī Skandamātāyai Namaḥ
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माञ्चित करद्वया।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Simhasanagata Nityam Padmashrita Karadvaya।
Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvinim॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Skandamata Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
= Dhyan Mantra =
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया.
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी.
Sinhasangatanityampadmashritakaradvaya,
Shubhadastusadadeviskandamatayashswinim
References
{{Reflist}}
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend ({{ISBN|0-500-51088-1}}) by Anna Dhallapiccola
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