â??Skandamataâ?? is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratra

Oct 16: Fifth manifestation of Devi ‘Durga’ is called ‘Skandamata’ who is worshipped on the fifth day of the Navratra festival.

She is called so being the mother of Skanda Kumar who was the commander of the gods in the battle between gods and demons. After getting married to Shiva she bore a son named Skanda who was also called ‘Kartikeya’.

This form of goddess has four arms and three eyes. She is holding ‘Skanda Kumar’ with her right hand in her lap and carrying ‘Lotus’ in both the arms of right and left.

She has been described carrying ‘Skanda Kumar’ in her lap. This day of the festival has unique significance as the fifth day the devotee’s mind rests in ‘Vishudh Chakra’ and his all desires and activities disappear.

Such stage leads him to the state of consciousness. His or her mind gets involved in the devotion of the goddess after getting free from all material, physical and false bondages.

The person who worships this goddess gets all his wishes fulfilled and the path of liberation opens for him.

She is also called the deity of fire. Her devotee too gets the spiritual grace and aura as she herself is the establisher of the solar system. A spiritual aura surrounds him invisibly all the time.

At this time the devotee should meditate and concentrate on keeping mind free of filthy thoughts. Purity of mind leads him on the path of liberation where his soul rests in peace getting free from the worldly sorrows.