Day 5 of Navratri: Worshipping Maa Skandamata

Navratri is one of the most cherished Hindu festivals, celebrated for nine nights in honor of the Divine Mother. Each day is dedicated to one of her nine forms, symbolizing the soul’s journey from purity and discipline to courage, wisdom, and ultimate liberation. More than rituals, Navratri represents an inner awakening—where devotees purify the mind, cultivate devotion, and invoke divine qualities to guide their lives. It is a time of spiritual renewal, self-reflection, and celebrating the eternal bond between the soul and the Supreme Mother.

Navratri is incomplete without Garba and Dandiya, where the joyous dance celebrates Maa Durga’s victory and fills the nights with divine energy. Clad in colorful attire, devotees gather to dance, rejoice, and honor the Divine Mother in an atmosphere of joy and reverence.

At Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas, the Navratri Mahotsav 2025 offers unforgettable evenings filled with Garba, Dandiya, Durga Pooja, children’s activities, delicious food, and vibrant cultural programs. As lamps glow and music fills the air, the community comes together in a beautiful celebration of tradition, devotion, and festivity—an experience of Navratri magic like never before.

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Maa Skandamata embodies one of the most powerful and nurturing forms of the divine mother. Devotees honor her on the fifth day of Navratri, which falls on Friday September 26th, 2025. The goddess's name comes from being Lord Skanda's mother, who people also know as Lord Kartikeya or Lord Murugan.

Maa Skandamata's divine form shows her with four graceful hands holding lotus flowers that symbolize purity and devotion. She sits majestically on a lotus, which earned her the name "Padmasini". Her story connects with Lord Kartikeya's legendary birth. He became the commander of the Devatas (gods) because of his exceptional intelligence and bravery. Maa Skandamata's significance reaches beyond motherhood. She watches over the Vishuddhi chakra (throat chakra) that governs communication, self-expression, and leads to self-actualization. Her story shows how mothers are our first teachers. This piece will explore deeply the sacred story of Maa Skandamata, her iconography, worship rituals, and the spiritual benefits that devotees receive through pure devotion.

Introduction

Maa Skandamata represents the perfect balance between motherly tenderness and fierce protection. She stands as the fifth manifestation of Goddess Durga and holds a special place in Hindu mythology. 

The name "Skandamata" holds deep meaning in Sanskrit. It combines two powerful words: "Skanda," which refers to Lord Kartikeya (also known as Lord Murugan), and "Mata," which means mother. This name came about after Goddess Parvati gave birth to Lord Kartikeya, who later became the commander of the divine forces. Skandamata symbolizes Goddess Parvati's divine motherhood.

Lord Skanda's name connects to his divine purpose - "Skanda" comes from "skand-" meaning "to leap or to attack," which points to his warrior role. She became celebrated as the goddess who raised the deity who eventually defeated the powerful demon Tarakasura.

People also know her as "Padmasana Devi" or "Padmasini" because she sits gracefully on a lotus flower during meditation. This symbolizes her spiritual purity. Her fair, radiant complexion has earned her the name "Shubhra," which reflects her pure and peaceful nature.

Why she is worshiped on Navratri Day 5

The fifth day of Navratri belongs completely to Maa Skandamata. Devotees believe they enter the realm of the "Vishudha Chakra" on this special day. This chakra governs self-expression and communication. "Vishudha" means "pure in all directions," which suggests worshippers move toward clear thoughts and spiritual purity during this sacred time.

Yes, it is believed that sincere prayers to Maa Skandamata bring abundant rewards. Hindu tradition teaches that worshippers should focus completely on their prayers, setting aside worldly distractions to receive her fullest blessings. Her grace helps devotees find deep peace in both mind and soul. They free themselves from unnecessary worries and experience the divine happiness she gives.

The Story of Maa Skandamata

A cosmic battle sets the stage for the legendary story of Maa Skandamata. Her sacred tale shows how maternal love and divine destiny created one of Hinduism's most powerful warrior deities.

The birth of Lord Kartikeya

The story begins with a mighty demon, Tarakasura, who pleased Lord Brahma through severe penance. Unable to get immortality, he asked for a clever blessing - only Lord Shiva's son could end his life. Lord Shiva had withdrawn from worldly affairs at the time, deep in meditation after his first wife Sati's tragic self-immolation. Tarakasura felt invincible since Lord Shiva lived as a complete ascetic.

The gods turned to Lord Vishnu for help as Tarakasura's tyranny grew worse. Vishnu told them Sati had taken birth again as Parvati, King Himavat's daughter. She might bring Shiva back to worldly life through her devotion. Sage Narada guided Parvati to perform intense penance to win Shiva's heart.

Something extraordinary happened after their divine marriage. Sacred texts tell us Lord Shiva's seed was so powerful that its heat threatened to burn the whole universe. Agni, the fire god, changed into a dove and swallowed this divine essence but couldn't handle its burning intensity.

Lord Shiva asked Agni to place the seed in a worthy woman's womb. Agni met six Kritikas (star goddesses) bathing in a sacred river. The divine seed entered their bodies through their pores and made them pregnant. The intense heat became unbearable, so they left the embryos on the Himalayan mountains. Goddess Ganga carried this divine essence to a reed forest (Sarkanda), where a magnificent six-headed boy emerged – Lord Kartikeya.

The role of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati

Mother Parvati showered him with endless maternal love, and Lord Shiva gave him divine weapons including his powerful trident.

Many gods contributed to Kartikeya's arsenal. Lord Vishnu offered a crown and the discus. Brahma gave the holy thread, Vedic knowledge, and the mighty Brahmastra. Indra presented a thunderbolt, and Agni gave him his signature weapon – the divine spear called Shakti.

The defeat of Tarakasura

The gods made Kartikeya their army's commander-in-chief after he grew into a skilled warrior under divine guidance. The inevitable clash with Tarakasura came soon after.

Kartikeya and Tarakasura's battle shook the cosmos. Tarakasura laughed at the gods for sending a "mere boy" to fight him. Notwithstanding that, Kartikeya's first strike displayed his extraordinary power, leaving the demon shocked. The fierce battle raged on until Kartikeya struck Tarakasura's chest with his spear, ending the demon's reign of terror.

Iconography of Maa Skandamata

Maa Skandamata's appearance shows rich symbolism that reveals her divine qualities. She rides a fierce lion to demonstrate her tremendous strength and courage. Her serene, motherly expression reflects her nurturing essence, even while mounted on this powerful beast.

Her four-armed form carries deep meaning:

• Her upper two hands hold lotus flowers, which symbolize purity and spiritual awakening
• One lower hand cradles baby Murugan (Kartikeya) in her lap
• Her fourth hand displays the Abhaya Mudra, a gesture that offers protection and removes fear

Rituals and Worship on Navratri Day 5

Devotees worship Maa Skandamata on the fifth day of Navratri through specific rituals they perform with deep devotion and sincerity. These sacred practices honor the divine mother and bring her blessings of wisdom, prosperity, and maternal protection into our lives.

Mantras create the spiritual heart of Maa Skandamata's worship. Devotees chant her sacred mantras with steadfast dedication. The Beej Mantra: "Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah" holds immense power. Many worshippers also recite her Prarthana Mantra: "Simhasanagata Nityam Padmanchita Karadvaya, Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini".

Key Takeaways

Discover the profound spiritual significance of Maa Skandamata, the divine mother worshiped on Navratri's fifth day, and learn how her sacred story connects to personal transformation and spiritual growth.

• Maa Skandamata is the mother of Lord Kartikeya, the six-faced warrior deity who defeated demon Tarakasura and restored cosmic balance through divine intervention.
• She governs the Vishuddha (throat) chakra, helping devotees improve communication skills, self-expression, and achieve mental clarity through authentic speech.
• Worship her with bananas, yellow flowers, and sacred mantras like "Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah" during early morning hours for maximum spiritual benefits.
• Her four-armed form symbolizes divine protection - holding lotus flowers for purity, cradling baby Kartikeya, and displaying the fear-dispelling Abhaya Mudra gesture.

Conclusion

Maa Skandamata reminds us that true motherhood is not limited to nurturing the body but extends to uplifting the soul toward its divine destiny. As she cradles Lord Kartikeya, preparing him to conquer evil, she teaches us that love and discipline together awaken the highest potential within. Swami Mukundananda beautifully explains through Raganuga Bhakti that devotion matures when it becomes natural, spontaneous, and born of deep love—just as a mother’s affection flows unconditionally toward her child. By meditating on Maa Skandamata with such heartfelt devotion, seekers can rise beyond formal rituals to cultivate a bond with the Divine that is personal, intimate, and joyously free. Her grace purifies the throat chakra, empowering devotees to express themselves truthfully and lovingly, while Raganuga Bhakti inspires them to direct that expression toward God with the same purity and selflessness that a mother shows her child. Thus, worship of Maa Skandamata becomes not only an act of reverence but also a step toward realizing the sweetness of spontaneous love for the Divine.

Call to Action

You can experience these sacred rituals with others at the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas Navratri 2025 celebration from Sept 22–Oct 1 2025! Join eleven days of devotion, daily Durga Pooja, Garba & Dandiya nights, satsangs, cultural programs, and community celebrations. Feel Goddess Durga's joy, energy, and blessings in Dallas. https://www.radhakrishnatemple.net/navratri-garba-dallas

📚 Learn about all 9 forms of Goddess Durga and explore Navratri rituals in our Complete Navratri 2025 Guide »

🛕 Join us at the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas as we celebrate Navratri 2025 with grandeur and devotion from 22nd September to 1st October.

FAQs

Q1. Who is Maa Skandamata and what does she represent? Maa Skandamata is the divine mother of Lord Kartikeya (also known as Skanda or Murugan). She represents the perfect balance between motherly tenderness and fierce protection. As the fifth form of Goddess Durga, she embodies motherhood, compassion, and divine strength.

Q3. How is Maa Skandamata typically depicted in iconography? Maa Skandamata is often portrayed as a serene figure with four arms, seated on a lotus flower. She holds lotus flowers in her upper hands, cradles baby Kartikeya in one lower hand, and displays the Abhaya Mudra (protection gesture) with the other. She is also shown riding a fierce lion, symbolizing her courage and strength.

Q4. What is the significance of Maa Skandamata's association with the Vishuddha Chakra? Maa Skandamata is closely associated with the Vishuddha (throat) Chakra, which governs communication and self-expression. Her worship is believed to help balance this energy center, leading to improved eloquence, mental clarity, and the ability to express oneself authentically.

Q5. What are some common offerings and mantras used in Maa Skandamata's worship? Devotees often offer bananas, yellow flowers, and milk-based sweets to Maa Skandamata. The most common mantra used in her worship is "Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah."

🌸🪔 Happy Navratri! 🪔🌸
May Maa Durga bless you with strength, peace, and devotion. Jai Mata Di!