Skandmata ..... Using a lion as a vehicle SHE holds HER son, SKAND in HER lap while displaying 3 eyes and 4 hands; two hands hold lotuses while the other 2 hands respectively display defending and granting gestures. Its said, by the mercy of Meri Maiya Skandmata, even the idiot becomes an ocean of knowledge. The great and legendary Sanskrit Scholar Kalidas created his two masterpieces works viz. "Raghuvansh Maha Kavya" and "Meghdoot" by the grace of Meri Maiya Skandmata. "Om hreeng mahadurgaya namah", and -- "Om nityaya namah". Each may be chanted separately not together. Devi Skandmata holds her son Skand in her lap and sits on a lion. She manifests three eyes and four hands--two hands hold lotuses while the other hands offer protection and blessings. The fifth aspect of Mother Durga is known as Skandamata. She is the mother of Kumara or Skanda or Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander in the war against the demons. His glory has been narrated in the Puranas and he is referred to as Kumara and Saktidhar. His vehicle being peacock he is called Mayuravahana. Thus being the mother of Skanda she is Skandamata. She is particularly worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratra. This day strivers mind reaches Visuddha Cakra and stays therein. In her image the Lord Skanda in his infant form is always found. She holds him in her lap. This Nav Durga represents Dhumavati Dasha Maha Vidya. She rules the planet Ketu. She represents Varaha as per the Tondala Tantra. This Mother Goddess has four arms. She holds Lord Skanda in her right upper arm and a lotus flower in her right lower hand, which is slightly raised upward. The left upper arm is in a pose to grant boon and in left lower hand, which is raised, she again holds lotus. The hue of her body is very bright. She is seated on lotus flower so she is called Padmasana. The scriptures are very eloquent in glorifying the fifth day of Navaratra period. As the mind of the aspirant, on this day, is in the Visuddha Cakra. So all his actions internal as well as external completely stop and the mind bereft of all thought-waves, is calm like a wave less ocean. It would be advancing towards the state of pure consciousness. It is completely submerged in the meditation of Mother Padmasana, quite devoid of worldly thoughts or coats of Maya. It is time when the aspirant should be most careful and cautious on the path of his Sadhana. By worshipping the goddess in the form of Skandamata, the devotee gets all his desires fulfilled. He starts tasting the Supreme joy even in this very mortal world. The gateway for salvation to him is spontaneously opened. Her worship automatically includes the worship of Lord Skanda in his child form. Only she has got this pride of place. So the striver should particularly be attentive to her worship. Being the presiding deity of sun god, she bestows an uncommon luster and radiance on her devotee. He is always surrounded by an invisible divine halo, which always maintains his Yoga-Ksema. Therefore, we should try very sincerely to take refuge under her. There is no better way to cross-mire of this mundane existence. The Shila has impressions of small child being held with Lotuses and eye impressions inside the Shila. The Shila The Shila is very protective by nature and work against black magic, occult and other negative forces and eradicates them totally from the lives of the devotees. This Shila is exceptionally good for the meditation. These Shilas are very cold to touch, full of positive energy and tremendous power, extremely protective in nature, blesses the devotee with extremely peaceful environment, provides immense worldly comfort and takes the devotee to spiritual enlightenment and transcendence.