The Human Cohesion Project — 7 Oct 2024

On this fifth day of Navaratri, we invoke Skandamata, the mother of Skanda (also known as Kartikeya in mythology), the god of war and victory. Skandamata is a symbol of maternal love and protection, embodying both nurturing and the courage to send her child into battle for the greater good. She rides a lion and carries Skanda in her lap, showing that while she is a fierce protector, she also nurtures and guides the warrior spirit within her child. She reminds us that love and strength are intertwined, and that in times of conflict, the protective force of love can guide us toward justice and peace.

Today also marks a solemn anniversary: one year since the outbreak of war in Gaza, a region that has long suffered under the weight of violence and loss. In Skandamata’s form, we see a reflection of the pain and resilience that accompanies conflict: the anguish of mothers and fathers who send their children into battles not of their choosing, the deep desire for protection, and the hope that even in the midst of war, peace might eventually be restored.

Skandamata’s mythology teaches us that the warrior spirit, when tempered with love, has the potential to defend and protect rather than destroy. Skanda was sent to defeat the demons that threatened the cosmos, yet his mission was born from his mother’s deep love for the universe and her desire to see peace restored. The symbolism of Skandamata holding her warrior son close while simultaneously urging him into battle reflects the difficult choices we must make when justice and protection are at stake.

In Gaza, as in many other parts of the world, the scars of war run deep, and yet, like Skandamata, mothers in conflict zones continue to carry both the weight of loss and the prayer for a better future. How do we navigate such a landscape, where war and peace coexist in a constant struggle? Her energy reminds us that strength and protection must always be guided by love, that even in times of conflict, there can be a path toward healing.

As we reflect on Skandamata today, let us hold in our hearts the mothers of Gaza and all those caught in the crossfire of war. May we summon the strength to protect what is sacred, to guide the warrior spirit within us toward justice, and to nurture peace even in the most difficult of times.

Shubh Navaratri. May Skandamata’s protective energy inspire us to act with both courage and compassion as we face the challenges of our world.

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