Navaratri, the nine-day festival celebrating the divine feminine energy, brings joy, devotion, and enlightenment to millions around the world. Each day of Navaratri is dedicated to a different form of the Mother Goddess, representing various aspects of femininity and cosmic power. On the fifth day, we pay homage to Skandmata, the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, the Hindu god of war. Join us as we delve into the significance and essence of Skandamata on this auspicious day of Navaratri.

Skandmata: The Depiction and Symbolism

Skandmata, often depicted with four arms, exudes a radiant aura of compassion, tenderness, and strength. She sits on a lotus, symbolizing purity, while holding her son Skanda or Kartikeya gently on her lap. One of her upper hands holds a lotus flower, while the other conveys protection through the gesture known as “abhaya mudra,” warding off fear. The lower right hand is in a posture of blessing, showering her devotees with grace and blessings, and the lower left hand holds Skanda in a cradle-like position, signifying nurturing and motherly care.

Significance and Spiritual Meaning

Skandmata, the fifth aspect of Navadurga, represents the inherent nurturing quality of the motherly force. She embodies boundless love, care, protection, and guidance that fosters growth and development, both spiritually and worldly. Skandmata inspires devotees to embrace their maternal essence and instill compassion, empathy, and protection for all beings.

It is believed that worshipping Skandmata on the fifth day of Navaratri can awaken and balance the maternal instincts within ourselves. By tapping into this energy, we can better understand the importance of nurturing relationships, embracing our responsibilities, and fostering harmony in society. Skandmata connects us to the divine, reminding us that every act of care and compassion echoes the profound bond a mother shares with her child.

Lessons from Skandmata

1. Embracing Motherly Love: Skandmata teaches us the unconditional nature of motherly love. Like a mother who cares for her child, we should extend love and care to all, irrespective of differences.

2. Nurturing the World: The divine mother signifies the nurturing aspect of life. Embrace your ability to nurture and create positive change in the world through small, compassionate acts.

3. Balancing Strength and Gentleness: Skandmata embodies both strength and tenderness. Learn to balance assertiveness with compassion and gentleness in your interactions.

4. Motherhood Beyond Biology: Skandmata reminds us that motherhood extends beyond biological ties. It encompasses care, protection, and guidance, making each of us capable of being a motherly figure to those around us.

Color Significance

Yellow, the color of sunshine and positivity, is strongly associated with Skandmata, the fifth form of Navadurga. The significance of the color yellow in relation to Skandmata lies in its representation of brightness, warmth, and radiance – qualities that mirror the divine mother’s nurturing and loving nature.

Yellow is also linked to knowledge, wisdom, and intellect. Just as the sun’s rays illuminate the world, Skandmata’s blessings enlighten our hearts and minds, guiding us towards a path of growth, understanding, and spiritual enlightenment.

Adorning yellow attire or incorporating yellow elements in worship during the fifth day of Navaratri is believed to enhance the connection with Skandmata’s energy, infusing our lives with the vibrancy and nurturing essence of the divine mother. Yellow is also the color for Jupiter, or Guru, and he represents children.

Orange, it is believed that on this day the secondary color her energies are most closely connected to is the vibrant hue of orange. This color associated with Devi Skandmata represents enthusiasm, creativity, and determination. By immersing oneself in this radiant shade, devotees seek to channel her benevolent powers, invoking her grace and seeking her blessings for a life filled with joy and fulfillment.

On this fifth day of Navaratri, let us pay our respects to Skandmata, the motherly force that nurtures the world with her boundless love and care. As we invoke her blessings, may we embrace our nurturing essence, radiate compassion, and foster harmonious relationships with all beings. Let us recognize that we all possess the power to be like the divine mother and make this world a more loving and nurturing place for generations to come.