Dharma Katha · Season 2: Navratri · Episode 85

There is a picture that appears in almost every Indian home at some time or other. A mother, sitting, with a small child on her lap. Tonight's Goddess is that picture. With one difference. The child in her lap is the general of heaven. This is Dharma Katha, Season Two, Navratri. Episode eighty-five, day five. In episode seventy-nine, we met Kushmanda, the Goddess of the fourth night, who smiled the universe into being. Tonight, the fifth of the nine forms. Her name is Skandamata. And earlier today, in episode eighty-three, we heard how her son was born: Shiva's fiery energy passing through fire, the gods, six women, the river and a forest of reeds, until it became a six-faced child, nursed by the stars. Tonight, that child is home.

Missed the previous story? Listen to Episode 79 first.

Source note. Label: tradition, with one verse. Skandamata as the fifth of the nine Durgas is from the Devi Kavacham's list, quoted in episode sixty-nine. The dhyana verse, siṃhāsanagatā nityam, and her iconography of four arms, two lotuses, the gestures of blessing and fearlessness, Skanda in her lap, the lion and the lotus seat, were read on brhat.in. The connection to Parvati's life, the throat centre and the offerings are later and living tradition, and vary. The reflections are my own. A Sanskrit reader should confirm the verse.

Note: this episode is narrated with an AI voice and the script was written with AI assistance. Sanskrit verses are checked against published editions; corrections are welcome.