Kaumari

Kaumari is the Matrika of Kumara, the young war-god also known as Skanda, Kartikeya or Murugan. Her name comes from kumara, a youth. She is fifth in the usual list and is often shown among the mothers as the youthful, quick one. The Devi Mahatmya gathers the seven mothers against Raktabija, and Kaumari appears with the weapon of her consort, the spear called the shakti or vel.

She has a pale red, saffron-coloured body and four arms holding a spear, a sword, a bow and arrows. Her mount is the peacock, the vehicle of Murugan. Tradition says that, like him, she may be shown with six faces, though most images show one. South is her direction. The mantra Om Kaumaryai Cha Vidmahe Shikhivahanyai Dhimahi Tanno Skanda Prachodayat means she rides the peacock, shikhi being the bird with the crest, and it asks that Skanda inspire the worshipper. Her bija is Om Kaum Kaumaryai Namah.

Tuesday is her weekday, and Skanda Shashthi and Krittika days are observed in her honour, with saffron rice and kumkum, and the Subramanya Bhujangam recited in many homes. Panels at Pattadakal and Aihole include her, and Tiruchendur is cited as a related Kartikeya site. Where Kartikeya is the main deity of the region, she is sometimes invoked together with him.