The divine mother who embodies pure maternal love, wisdom, and the nurturing power that protects all children
Goddess Skandamata, the fifth manifestation of Navadurga, represents the embodiment of divine motherhood and unconditional love. Her name literally means "Mother of Skanda" (Lord Kartikeya), the six-faced war god who destroyed the demon Tarakasura. She is depicted holding baby Skanda in her lap while seated on a lotus throne, symbolizing the nurturing aspect of the Divine Mother.
In this form, Goddess Parvati showcases her maternal qualities - protective, nurturing, and infinitely compassionate. She has four arms: two hold lotuses, one carries baby Skanda, and one is in the blessing position (Varada Mudra). Her complexion is radiant like molten gold, representing the illuminating power of maternal love that brightens even the darkest corners of existence.
Skandamata is also known as Padmasana Devi because she sits on a lotus. Her worship is particularly beneficial for mothers, children, students, and those seeking wisdom and prosperity. She is associated with the Vishuddha (Throat) chakra, representing communication, creativity, and the power of truth. Her grace enhances learning abilities and grants success in educational pursuits.
Embodies the highest form of unconditional motherly affection and care
Grants protection, nurturing, and emotional healing to all devotees
Source of all knowledge, learning, and intellectual advancement
Enhances learning capacity, memory, and academic success
Bestows material wealth, success, and all forms of abundance
Removes poverty and grants financial stability and growth
Guides devotees toward spiritual awakening and self-realization
Opens the path to higher consciousness and divine wisdom
Special guardian of children, ensuring their safety and development
Protects children from illness, harm, and negative influences
Heals emotional wounds, trauma, and psychological disturbances
Provides mental peace, emotional stability, and inner strength
Protects children from diseases, accidents, and physical harm
Place her picture in children's rooms and chant her name daily
Enhances intelligence, memory, and learning abilities in children
Offer yellow flowers and pray for children's academic success
Provides emotional stability and protection from trauma
Light ghee lamps and seek her blessings for emotional healing
Guides children toward moral values and spiritual understanding
Tell children stories of her divine love and compassion
Shields children from negative energies and harmful influences
Tie protective threads blessed with her mantras around children's wrists
Grants success in studies, examinations, and skill development
Worship her before starting new educational endeavors
Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah
Salutations to Goddess Skandamata
Simhasanagata Nityam Padmanchita Karadvaya | Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini ||
O glorious Skandamata, seated on lotus throne with lotus in your hands, always bestow auspiciousness upon us
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Skandamata Rupena Samsthita | Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah ||
Salutations to the Goddess who resides in all beings in the form of Skandamata
Offer banana to baby Skanda and place a small cradle with baby items near her image. This brings special blessings for children and fertility.
Lord Skanda (Kartikeya) was born to destroy the demon Tarakasura who could only be killed by Shiva's son. Skandamata's love and care enabled Skanda to fulfill his cosmic purpose of protecting dharma.
Her four arms represent the four goals of human life (Purusharthas): Dharma (righteousness), Artha (prosperity), Kama (desires), and Moksha (liberation). She helps balance all aspects of life.
She sits on a fully bloomed lotus (Kamalasana), symbolizing the flowering of consciousness and spiritual awakening. The lotus represents purity emerging from the mud of worldly existence.
Her third eye represents divine insight and the ability to see past, present, and future simultaneously. This grants her devotees prophetic abilities and spiritual foresight.
Her lion represents courage, strength, and the tamed ego. Unlike wild lions, her vehicle shows how maternal love can transform even the fiercest nature into a gentle, protective force.
She simultaneously mothers both Skanda and Ganesha (who appears in some depictions), representing her universal motherhood extending to all children of the cosmos.
Associated with Vishuddha chakra, governing communication, creativity, and truth. Her worship enhances speaking abilities, artistic talents, and authentic self-expression.
Traditional gurukulas (schools) had special shrines for Skandamata where students would pray before exams and important academic endeavors.
Ancient Ayurvedic texts mention specific healing mantras of Skandamata for childhood diseases, learning disabilities, and developmental disorders.
In Tantric traditions, she's seen as the cosmic mother who nurtures the entire universe, feeding all beings with divine nectar from her celestial breasts.
Skandamata represents the transformative power of maternal love that shapes consciousness and character. Her worship awakens the nurturing qualities within us, teaching that true strength lies not in dominance but in the ability to protect, nurture, and guide others toward their highest potential.
The image of her holding baby Skanda symbolizes how divine consciousness nurtures our spiritual growth from infancy to maturity. Just as a mother patiently teaches her child, Skandamata guides our spiritual evolution with infinite patience and love, never abandoning us regardless of our mistakes or failures.
Visualize Skandamata's golden form radiating infinite love and compassion. Feel her maternal energy embracing you like a protective cocoon. This practice awakens your own nurturing qualities and connects you with the universal mother principle that sustains all life.