Fifth Manifestation of Goddess Durga-(Maa Skandamata )

Worship Maa Skandamata on the Fifth day of Navaratri :

The fifth manifestation of Devi Durga is known as Maa Skandamata. She is fifth among Nava Durgas, thats why she is worshiped on the Fifth Navratri. Devi Maa is the mother of Kumara Skanda or Kumara Kartikeya also called Lord Murugan in south India. Kumar Skanda was chosen by Gods as their commander in "Deva-Sura Sangram" (the war of gods & demons) against the demons. Lord Murugan's glory has been narrated in the Puranas and he is referred to as Kumara and Saktidhar. His vehicle being peacock, so he is also called Mayuravahana.

Skandamata Thus being the mother of Skanda she is Skandamata. Worshipping Skandamata on the fifth day of Navaratra has very importance for Yogis & Sadhaks. In her image the Lord Skanda in his infant form is always found. She holds him in her lap. Using a lion as a vehicle, Mother Goddess has four arms & three eyes. She holds Lord Skanda in her right upper arm and a lotus flower in her right lower hand, which is slightly raised upward. The left upper arm is in a pose to grant boon and in left lower hand, which is raised, she again holds lotus. She is Golden color. She is seated on lotus flower so she is called Padmasana.

The scriptures are very eloquent in glorifying the fifth day of Navaratra period. So all his actions internal as well as external completely stop and the mind be left of all thought-waves, is calm like a wave less ocean. It would be advancing towards the state of pure to consciousness. It is completely submerged in the meditation of Mother Padmasana, quite devoid of worldly thoughts or coats of Maya. It is the time when the aspirant should be most careful and cautious on the path of his Sadhana. By worshiping the goddess in the form of Skandamata, the devotee gets all his desires fulfilled. He starts tasting the Supreme Joy even in this very mortal world. The gateway for salvation to him is spontaneously opened. Her worship automatically includes the

worship of Lord Skanda in his child form. Only she has got this pride of place. So the sadhak should particularly be attentive to her worship. Being the presiding deity of Sun god, she bestows an uncommon luster and radiance on her devotee. He is always surrounded by an invisible divine halo, which always maintains his 'Yoga-Kuema'. Therefore, we should try very sincerely to take refuge under her. There is no better way to moksha from this world.

Its said, by the mercy of Ma Skandmata, even the idiot becomes an ocean of knowledge. The great and legendary Sanskrit Scholar Kalidas created his two masterpieces works viz. "Raghuvansh Maha Kavya" and "Meghdoot" by the grace of Ma Skandmata. However some believe Kalidasa was also inspired and blessed by Ma Kushmanda.

The gemstone is the Red-Coral (Also the gemstone for planet Mars/Mangal). If one has bad placement of planet Mars/Mangal in one’s horoscope and is facing problems in life related to poor confidence, stammering and nervous system related diseases and other Mars related obstacles then one should keep a fast on this day and should pray to Maa Skandmata to protect oneself from the ill-effects of Mars. Whereas people having Mars placed positively in their horoscope should wear a fine quality Red-Coral to seek the blessings of planet Mars/Mangal in their lives.

Chant this mantra to worship Goddess Skandamata…

॥ Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah ॥

5th Day of Navratri :

23th/March/

2026, (Monday

)

Tithi - Panchami Ritual - Saraswati

Awahan Goddess Worshipped - Skandamata

Offerings to the Goddess - Bananas

Color to be Worn on the Day - Yellow

Gems - Red Coral (Moonga) Maa Skandamata Puja

ध्यान

वन्दे वांछित कामर्थेचन्द्रार्घकृतशेखराम्। सिंहारूढाचतुर्भुजास्कन्धमातायशस्वनीम्॥ धवलवर्णाविशुद्ध चक्रस्थितांपंचम दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम। अभय पदमयुग्म करांदक्षिण उरूपुत्रधरामभजेम्॥ पटाम्बरपरिधानाकृदुहज्ञसयानानालंकारभूषिताम्। मंजीर हार केयूर किंकिणिरत्नकुण्डलधारिणीम।। प्रभुल्लवंदनापल्लवाधरांकांत कपोलांपीन पयोधराम्। कमनीयांलावण्यांजारूत्रिवलींनितम्बनीम्॥

स्तोत्र

नमामि स्कन्धमातास्कन्धधारिणीम्। समग्रतत्वसागरमपारपारगहराम्॥ शिप्रभांसमुल्वलांस्फुरच्छशागशेखराम्। ललाटरत्‍‌नभास्कराजगतप्रदीप्तभास्कराम्॥ महेन्द्रकश्यपाíचतांसनत्कुमारसंस्तुताम्। सुरासेरेन्द्रवन्दितांयथार्थनिर्मलादभुताम्॥ मुमुक्षुभिíवचिन्तितांविशेषतत्वमूचिताम्। नानालंकारभूषितांकृगेन्द्रवाहनाग्रताम्।। सुशुद्धतत्वातोषणांत्रिवेदमारभषणाम्। सुधाíमककौपकारिणीसुरेन्द्रवैरिघातिनीम्॥ शुभांपुष्पमालिनीसुवर्णकल्पशाखिनीम्। तमोअन्कारयामिनीशिवस्वभावकामिनीम्॥ सहस्त्रसूर्यराजिकांधनज्जयोग्रकारिकाम्। सुशुद्धकाल कन्दलांसुभृडकृन्दमज्जुलाम्॥ प्रजायिनीप्रजावती नमामिमातरंसतीम्। स्वकर्मधारणेगतिंहरिप्रयच्छपार्वतीम्॥ इनन्तशक्तिकान्तिदांयशोथमुक्तिदाम्। पुन:पुनर्जगद्धितांनमाम्यहंसुराíचताम॥ जयेश्वरित्रिलाचनेप्रसीददेवि पाहिमाम्॥

कवच

ऐं

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