Day 5 — Skandamātā: Power Becomes Nurture

“Strength that cannot comfort is only half-grown.”

On the fifth day of Navaratri , the Divine Mother emerges as Skandamātā—the lion-riding Goddess who cradles Kumāra (Skanda/Kartikeya), the god of war, on Her lap. In a single image, She holds two worlds: the warrior and the child, the roar and the lullaby. Her hands steer a lion and soothe a son—without conflict between the two.
This is not symbolic excess. It is precise spiritual instruction. Real power must also be a refuge.
Skandamātā reminds us that the world isn’t healed by might alone. It is healed when courage learns to cradle, when the energy that can protect also chooses to nurture. This is the deeper teaching of Navaratri—not just how to rise in strength , but how to soften in service.
We are conditioned to associate strength with noise, speed, and dominance. But the sacred feminine teaches a quieter truth: True strength is not about intimidation—it is about trustworthiness. Power becomes divine when it protects, not when it overwhelms.

Keep What Is Powerful Close to the Heart
Look at the icon again. The child-warrior sits near the Mother’s heart. This is not just maternal love—it is a map for spiritual maturity. Keep your boldest gifts close to your heart, not clenched in the fist of ego. Then your power becomes nourishment.
You can be clear without being cold, decisive without being harsh, and fearless without being frightening. This is what leadership looks like in the mirror of the Mother—fierce love, grounded care.

In the Devi Purāṇa , the Mother is praised as śaraṇāgata-pālini—the protector of those who seek shelter. But She also calls us to ask: Whom do I shelter? Whose fear softens around me—my child, my student, my patient, my friend?
If no one comes to mind, let today be a beginning. Be a lap in a lion’s world.

A Prayer to Carry Both Courage and Care
Skandamātā, dayā-sindhu, śaraṇaṁ te;
mama balaṁ bhavatu sevā, mama vīryaṁ bhavatu karuṇā.

O Mother of Skanda , ocean of compassion, I take refuge in You.
Let my strength become service, let my courage become kindness.

This simple invocation shifts our posture. When your presence becomes safe, your voice starts to heal. Conversations lose their sharp edges. People relax around you. And in a world that runs on urgency, your calm becomes a service.

Nurturing Is Not a Distraction—It Is a Power Source
We often think nurturing takes time away from impact. But the opposite is true. A team member who feels heard works better. A child who feels safe grows braver. A friend who is seen becomes lighter. The lap doesn’t slow the lion—it strengthens it.
Skandamātā’s lap is not escape; it is refueling. From that lap, Skanda rises to act—not from pressure, but from clarity. That is the kind of action that sustains itself.

Practice for the Day: One Act of Nurturing
Choose just one:
- Feed: Cook or share a meal as if every bite were prasad. Silently bless: “May this bring steadiness.”
- Teach: Share one skill today—not to impress, but to empower. Gently, generously.
- Listen: Give five minutes of full, undivided listening. No fixing. No judgment. Just space.

Then, quietly place your hand on your own heart. Breathe. Remind yourself: you too deserve the care you offer.

The Arc So Far
Day 1 rooted us,
Day 2 steadied our flame,
Day 3 taught calm courage,
Day 4 brightened our creativity.
Day 5 transforms power into shelter.
Today, carry someone lightly—and feel your own burdens soften. This is how the Mother works: when we cradle others, we are cradled in return.

“Arms that carry a child can carry the world.”

Authored by: Shambo S Samajdar and Shashank R Joshi