Skanda-Mata

1. Skanda-Mata The Fifth form of Maa Durga is Skanda-Mata.Her name comes from word, Skanda is another name for war god and her son Kartikeya and Mata is the term for mother. Goddess Skanda-mata mounts on the ferocious lion. She carries baby Murugan on her lap. Lord Murugan is also known as Kartikeya and brother of Lord Ganesha. Goddess Skandamata is depicted with four hands. She carries lotus flowers in her upper two hands. She holds baby Murugan in one of her right hand and keeps the other right hand in Abhaya Mudra. She sits on lotus flower and because of that Skandamata is also known as Goddess Padmasana. It is believed that She awards devotees with salvation, power, prosperity and treasures. She can grant oceans of wisdom even to most illiterate person. Her brilliance is like that of the Sun that fulfills all the desires of Her devotees. A devotee, who is selflessly devoted to her, attains all the achievements and treasures of life. Mantra of Maa Skanda-mata ॐदेवीस्कन्दमातायैनमः॥ Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah॥ Prarthana for Maa Skanda-mata ससिंहासनगताननत्यिंपद्माञ्चितकरद्वया। शुभदास्तुसदादेवीस्कन्दमातायशञ्स्वनी॥ Simhasanagata Nityam Padmanchita Karadvaya। Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini॥