Skanda Mata - Day 5 of Navaratri

BY Indu Arora4 min read • October 14, 2026

Once upon a time lived the Demon Tarakasura. Upon long, intense tapasya asked a boon from the Goddess that may he die only at the hands of her son. The Goddess gave birth to Skanda who became the destiny of Tarakasura.

The day of Ma Skanda Mata: Goddess of Motherly Love

Skanda Mata is the Goddess in the form of the mother who gave birth to Skanda—the celestial warrior, the 6 headed God/Devata.

Today, Devi's Shakti rises from the Manipura Chakra with fierce light and clarity to reside in the Vishuddhi Chakra, warning us to be mindful of our speech, desire, and inner chatter. Vishuddhi Chakra is the seat of our divine expression, and ever pure Sankalpa.

Back Story: Once upon a time lived the Demon Tarakasura. Upon long, intense tapasya asked a boon from the Goddess that may he die only at the hands of her son. The Goddess gave birth to Skanda who became the destiny of Tarakasura.

Symbology: These 6 heads of Skanda symbolize 5 senses and the mind. Once we give a re-birth and redirection to our senses (pratyahara in Yoga), our own shakti gives birth to Skanda within, the strongest army against negativity. This Skanda can put an end to our own malicious, tamasic desires (Tarakasura).

Be careful what you ask for as the Shakti conspires for all that you sincerely wish to become true.

Practice to Invoke Skanda Mata

Sankalpa:

May you, the highest intelligence "dhi" 

guide my pilgrimage to Self

May you, the mother divine (Shree) bless me with the 

abundance of thee

May I- the Self

Always take refuge in thee

May SHE always reside in me

- mayee Shreeh Shrayatam

- I take refuge in thee

Asana: Practice asana with consistent awareness of the inner dialogue, and internal chatter. Replace it with the Sankalpa above.

Mudra: Practice Apana Vayu Mudra with the intention of pratyahara. Image above. Read more in my book Yoga: Ancient Heritage, Tomorrow’s Vision and Mudra The Sacred Secret. 

Japa: Mentally recite the mantra "Om Dum Skanda mata hreem namaha" 108 times, or as many as feels pleasing, with or without a mala.

Meditate: Mentally visualize a black oval mandala of ether element in the throat center of consciousness—Vishuddhi Chakra