English
Skandamata
Source: Shiva Purana, Rudra Samhita, Kumara Khanda; the Navadurga tradition
A demon named Taraka performed fierce austerities to please Brahma. When Brahma was pleased, Taraka cleverly asked for a boon: “Let me die only at the hands of a son of Shiva.”
Taraka knew that after Sati gave up her body, Shiva had withdrawn into deep renunciation. He would not marry, and he would have no son. Brahma granted the boon, and Taraka began to think himself immortal.
With the boon, Tarakasura spread havoc across the three worlds. The gods were driven out of heaven. Their treasures and splendour were seized. The sages' sacrifices stopped.
The distressed gods went to Brahma. Brahma said, “Only a son of Shiva can end him. And Shiva can marry only Parvati, the daughter of the Himalaya.”
Then came Parvati's great austerity, and the marriage of Shiva and Parvati took place. The gods' hopes rose. But time passed, and no child was born. The gods grew restless again.
At the gods' prayer Shiva's radiance was at last released. But it was so fierce that no one could bear it. Agni, the fire god, took it, but even he began to burn in its blaze.
That divine radiance passed from hand to hand, and at last reached a thick forest of reeds on the bank of the Ganga. There a wondrous light spread…
In that reed forest, Sharavana, a radiant child was born, shining like the sun. So he is also called Sharavanabhava, born in the reeds.
Just then the six Krittikas came there to bathe. Seeing the child, their hearts filled with love, and each wished to nurse him. The story says the child took six faces and drank from all six mothers. So he was called Shanmukha, the six-faced, and Kartikeya.
When Shiva and Parvati learned of this child, he was brought with great joy to Kailasa. Parvati took him in her lap, overflowing with love. The gods celebrated.
This child was called Skanda and Kumara. The gods made him the commander of their army and gave him divine weapons. Though only a boy, he led the army of the gods.
A terrible battle was fought between Kumara and Tarakasura. Taraka mocked the boy, but he could not stand before Kumara's might. At last Kumara slew Tarakasura with his spear. Brahma's boon came true: Taraka met his end at the hands of Shiva's son.
As the mother of Skanda, this form of the Devi Parvati is called Skandamata. In this form she has four arms. She holds the infant Skanda in her lap, carries lotuses in two hands, and one hand is raised in blessing. She sits on a lotus, so she is also called Padmasana, and she rides a lion.
It is believed that worshipping Skandamata is also worship of Skanda himself. She is the form of the mother's love that both protects her child and prepares him for a great purpose.
What this story teaches
A mother's lap is the first home of the greatest strength. Skandamata teaches that love and courage walk together.
Maa Skandamata is worshipped on Panchami, the fifth day of Sharad and Chaitra Navratri. The sequence of Kartikeya's birth is told somewhat differently in different Puranas and in the Ramayana.
You have read the story — now see your own chart
A free kundali with your dashas and planetary positions from your birth date, time and place. Your first 10 questions to the AI astrologer are free — no card needed.
Make my free kundali