Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 91
देवसेनापते शीघ्रं शक्तिं मुंच महासुरे । प्रतिज्ञामात्मनः पाहि लंबते रविमंडलम्
devasenāpate śīghraṃ śaktiṃ muṃca mahāsure | pratijñāmātmanaḥ pāhi laṃbate ravimaṃḍalam
হে দেবসেনাপতি! শীঘ্রই মহাসুরের উপর তোমার শক্তি নিক্ষেপ কর। নিজের প্রতিজ্ঞা রক্ষা কর—সূর্যমণ্ডল অস্তাচলে ঢলে পড়ছে।
Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa)
Listener: Skanda (addressed)
Scene: Vāsudeva addresses Skanda as Devasenāpati, pointing toward the asura; the sun disk is visibly descending at the horizon, bathing the battlefield in copper light; Skanda poised to hurl the Śakti.
FAQs
Dharma requires decisive action at the right time, and a vow (pratijñā) must be guarded with discipline.
None; this is counsel given amid the battle.
No ritual is prescribed; the verse urges timely fulfillment of a vow through decisive action.