The form of the Goddess worshiped on the fifth day of Navaratri is Skandamata
(‘Mother of Skanda’).
Skandamata is depicted
as four-armed. She holds lotus blossoms in two of her hands. Another hand is
raised in abhayamudra (gesture of
blessing and protection); while the fourth holds the six-faced Lord Karthikeya
on her lap. She is fair-complexioned, and her vahana (divine mount) is a lion.
Skanda was created out
the divine energy of Shiva-Shakthi as the answer to the prayers of Gods and
sages. He is Devasenapathi (General
of the Gods). Fostered by the six celestial maidens – the Krittikas – he is
also known as Karthikeya.
Examining the inner
significance of the name and form of Skandamata; when we worship this aspect of
Shakthi, we invoke not just the Goddess, but also Lord Skanda. The form of
Skanda is honored as Devasenapathi, because he marshals the divine forces
within us to march toward self-realization, towards Godhood.
For the spiritual
aspirant, the only worthy war is the one waged within one’s self. That is, the war
to subdue the negative forces (represented as asuras in the stories of yore) within us and ignite the latent divine qualities (as represented by the devas).
By the blessings of Skandamata, victory in this challenge is assured. Hence Skandamata is worshiped as the presiding deity of the Vishuddhi Chakra (throat chakra). It is believed that the
purification of the psyche is activated at this chakra. Worship of Skandamata blesses the aspirant with mental clarity
and spiritual wisdom.
Among the Navagrahas, she governs Mercury. The
sacred offering to Skandamata is banana.
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