Sharad Navratri 2024 day 5: Maa Skandmata

Hindu Navratri has special significance in religion. According to the panchang Navratri falls 2 times a year. Along with this one is Chaitra Navratri falling in the month of Chaitra and the other is Sharadiya Navratri falling in the month Ashwin. Chatra navratri falls during the month of March and April. Talking about Shradiya Navratri it is falling in the month of October this year. Durig Shradiya Navratri there is a ritual of duly worshiping the nine forms of Maa Durga.

On the fifth day of Sharadiya Navratri devotees worship maa Skandmata the fifth form of Goddess Durga. Skandmata is the mother of lord Skand, also known as Kartikeya the commander of the celestial army. Her name is derived from two words: Skand meaning Kartikeya, and Mata, meaning mother. She is revered as a nurturing and protective deity, embodying a mother’s our love for her child.

How Maa Skandmata looks:

Maa Skandmata is despited seated on a Lotus flower, earning her the padamasana. She holds her son Lord Skand in her lap. She is usually shown with four arms two hands hold lotuses one hand carries Skanda and the fourth hand is raised in blessings offering protection and blessings to her devotees. She rides a lion symbolizing her power and courage. Maa Skandmata represents the maternal aspect of the divine focusing on compassion, nurturing and care. Worshipping her on the fifth day brings peace, wisdom, and prosperity. Her lion signifies bravery while the lotus she sits on signifies purity and spirituality.

Importance of Maa Skandmata:

Maa Skandmata is believed to bestow immense wisdom upon her devotees. Those who pray to her devotion can transcend worldly attachments and distractions. Her worships help devotees. Purify their hearts. Elevating their thought to higher spiritual planes. She is also associated with the Vishudha Chakra which signifies purity in speech and expression.

Benefits of worshiping Maa Skandamata:

1. Success and prosperity: Maa Skandmata blesses her devotees with success in their endavors and a prosperous life.
2. Spiritual growth: Devotees praying to maa Skandmata can experience spiritual advancement and clarity of mind.
3.   Nurturing energy: Her maternal energy helps people overcome difficulties as she protects them like her own children.

Puja rituals for Maa Skandmata:

1. Clean the altar: Begin by cleaning the altar and placing a beautiful image or idol of Maa Skandmata.
2. Offer white flowers: White is her favorite color symbolizing purity so offer white flowers like jasmine or lotus.
3. Chant mantras: Chant the following mantra dedicated to Maa Skandmata.

Mantra:

सिंहासना गता नित्यं पद्माश्रि तकरद्वया।

शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी।।

“Simhasanagata Nityam Padamshritakara Dvaya|

Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandmata Yashaswi ||”

1.  Offer Prasad: Offer fruits and sweets especially bananas as Prasad to the Goddess.
2.  Light a lamp and incense: Light a diya (Oil lamp) and incense sticks to invoke her presence.
3. Meditation: Meditate on her image to receive her blessings of inner strength and wisdom.

Significance of Day 5 in Navratri:

The fifth day in Navratri signifies the midpoint of the festival a moment where devotion intensifies. Worshipping Maa Skandmata on this day is believed to clear the path for spiritual liberation guiding devotees to live a balanced life between material prosperity and spiritual contentment.

Spiritual meaning:

Worshiping Maa Skandmata is believed to give wisdom and help people rise above material desires. Her blessings help purify the mind, allowing for spiritual progress. She is connected to the throat chakra which represents clear and truthful communication.

Conclusion:

Maa Skandmata’s worship on the fifth day of navratri is essential for those seeking both material success and spiritual wisdom. She embodies the nurturing aspect of the divine mother and offers her blessings to her devotees ensuring their well-being, protection, and spiritual growth. by connecting with her devotees can experience the love of a mother who not only nurture but also provides the strength to face challenges with courage.