"Om Devi Skandamatayai Namaha" is a powerful mantra dedicated to Goddess Skandamata, one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga worshipped during the Hindu festival of Navaratri. The mantra honors Skandamata, who is also known as the "Mother of Skanda." Skanda is another name for Lord Kartikeya (also called Murugan), the god of war and the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Breakdown of the Mantra
- Om: A sacred sound and spiritual symbol that represents the essence of the universe. It is the primordial vibration from which the universe has emanated.
- Devi: Refers to the goddess, invoking the divine feminine energy.
- Skandamatayai: The word "Skandamata" means "Mother of Skanda," with "ayai" being a grammatical suffix in Sanskrit used to invoke reverence and worship.
- Namaha: A term meaning "I bow" or "salutations." It signifies offering respect and surrendering to the divine power.
Meaning and Significance
The mantra, "Om Devi Skandamatayai Namaha," is a way to offer salutations and devotion to Goddess Skandamata, who is believed to be the epitome of motherly love and compassion. By reciting this mantra, the devotee seeks the blessings of Skandamata for wisdom, power, and prosperity. It also signifies invoking her protective and nurturing energy, just as a mother cares for her child. This form of Durga embodies strength and courage, as she holds her son, Skanda, the warrior god.
Who is Goddess Skandamata?
Goddess Skandamata is the fifth manifestation of Goddess Durga, and her name means "Mother of Skanda." She is usually depicted seated on a lotus, with four hands: two hold lotuses, one holds her son Skanda, and the fourth is in the Abhaya mudra (a gesture of protection and fearlessness). She rides a lion, symbolizing bravery and strength.
Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri, and she is believed to grant blessings of peace, happiness, and growth in life. She represents the power of nurturing and protection, and her grace is said to help the devotee overcome challenges, bring clarity to the mind, and gain spiritual growth.
Benefits of Chanting the Mantra
- Divine Protection: Chanting this mantra invokes the protective energy of Goddess Skandamata, shielding the devotee from harm and negative influences.
- Spiritual Growth: It helps the devotee achieve inner peace, cultivate compassion, and foster spiritual growth. Skandamata is associated with the Vishuddha (throat) chakra, which symbolizes purity and clarity.
- Maternal Energy and Compassion: By invoking Skandamata, the devotee connects with nurturing maternal energy, which brings comfort and peace in times of difficulty.
- Health and Prosperity: Goddess Skandamata is also worshipped for good health, prosperity, and well-being.
How to Chant "Om Devi Skandamatayai Namaha"
- Frequency: It is often recommended to chant this mantra 108 times to fully benefit from its vibrations. A mala (a string of 108 prayer beads) can be used to keep count.
- When to Chant: The mantra is especially powerful when chanted during the fifth day of Navaratri, but it can be recited any time to connect with the divine energy of Skandamata.
- Ideal Setting: One can sit in a calm and quiet space, ideally in a clean area set up for meditation or prayer. Lighting a ghee lamp and offering flowers or fruits to an image or idol of Goddess Skandamata can enhance the spiritual experience.
- Focus: It is important to maintain focus and devotion while chanting. Visualizing Goddess Skandamata seated on a lotus, holding Lord Skanda, and radiating love and divine energy helps deepen the meditative experience.
Story of Skandamata
The story of Goddess Skandamata is closely linked to her son, Lord Skanda (Kartikeya), who was born to destroy the demon Tarakasura. Tarakasura had received a boon that only the son of Lord Shiva could kill him. However, after the death of Sati, Lord Shiva had renounced worldly attachments and had gone into deep meditation. To save the world from the tyranny of Tarakasura, the gods sought the help of Parvati, an incarnation of Sati, who eventually married Shiva. From their union, Lord Skanda was born, and he led the divine armies to victory over Tarakasura.
Skandamata embodies the form of Goddess Parvati that nurtured and protected her powerful son. By worshipping Skandamata, devotees receive not only her blessings but also the blessings of Lord Skanda, who represents courage, strength, and righteousness.
Symbolism in Iconography
Goddess Skandamata's imagery is rich in symbolism:
- Lotus Seat (Padmasana): Skandamata is often depicted seated on a lotus, symbolizing purity, spiritual awakening, and detachment from material concerns.
- Lion as Vehicle: The lion represents power, courage, and determination. It signifies the fearless nature of the goddess, who is always ready to protect her devotees.
- Skanda in Her Lap: The presence of her son Skanda in her lap signifies her role as the nurturing mother, and her willingness to bestow love and blessings on those who worship her with devotion.
Meditation on Skandamata
Meditating on Goddess Skandamata while chanting the mantra can be deeply transformative. Visualizing her form during meditation, one can focus on:
- Her Compassionate Gaze: Imagining her warm and compassionate gaze, which bestows love and forgiveness, helps in relieving stress and emotional turmoil.
- Her Protective Presence: Meditate on her presence riding the lion, symbolizing that she is there to protect you from all fears and adversities.
- The Lotus She Sits On: Visualizing the lotus helps to invoke purity and detachment, inspiring one to rise above materialism and focus on spiritual pursuits.
Navaratri and the Worship of Skandamata
During Navaratri, each of the nine forms of Durga is worshipped on a different day, and the fifth day is dedicated to Skandamata. Devotees offer yellow flowers, fruits, and sweets, and recite her mantras and prayers. Special pujas are conducted, and devotees often observe fasts to receive her blessings. Worshipping Skandamata on this day is believed to bestow wisdom, power, and prosperity.
Navaratri is a time when the energy of the divine feminine is especially accessible, and invoking Skandamata’s blessings during this period is said to bring the devotee closer to attaining spiritual fulfillment and contentment in the material world.
Conclusion
"Om Devi Skandamatayai Namaha" is a mantra that embodies the nurturing, protective, and compassionate energy of Goddess Skandamata. She is the divine mother who cares for her devotees just as she cares for her son, Skanda. Chanting her mantra can bring immense peace, courage, and spiritual growth. Her blessings are believed to protect devotees from harm, nurture their well-being, and guide them on the path of righteousness and enlightenment. Skandamata teaches us the value of unconditional love, the power of a mother’s devotion, and the importance of maintaining purity and compassion in our hearts.
