Shloka 31

Skanda–Mātṛgaṇa-janma: Kumārakāḥ, Kanyāgaṇāḥ, and the Vīrāṣṭaka (स्कन्द-मातृगण-सम्भवः)

Devanagari script

आपूृच्छे त्वां स्वस्ति ते<स्तु धर्मस्त्वां परिरक्षतु । अप्रमादस्तु कर्तव्यो धर्मे धर्मभृतां वर,अब मैं जानेके लिये आपकी अनुमति चाहता हूँ। आपका कल्याण हो और धर्म सदा आपकी रक्षा करे। धर्मात्माओंमें श्रेष्ठ व्याध! आप धर्माचरणमें कभी प्रमाद न करें

Transliteration

āpṛcche tvāṁ svasti te 'stu dharmas tvāṁ parirakṣatu | apramādas tu kartavyo dharme dharmabhṛtāṁ vara ||

Translation

The brāhmaṇa said: “I take my leave of you, seeking your permission to depart. May well-being be yours, and may Dharma ever protect you. O best among the upholders of righteousness—O hunter—never be negligent in the practice of dharma.”

Word by Word

आपूृच्छेI ask/seek (leave/permission)

त्वाम्you

स्वस्तिwell-being; auspiciousness

तेto you/for you

अस्तुmay it be

धर्मःdharma; righteousness

त्वाम्you

परिरक्षतुmay (he/it) protect

अप्रमादःnon-negligence; vigilance

तुbut/indeed

कर्तव्यःto be done; should be done

धर्मेin dharma; in righteousness

धर्मभृताम्of the upholders of dharma

वरO best/excellent one

Speaker

ब्राह्मण उवाच

Characters & Entities

ब

ब्राह्मण (the brāhmaṇa speaker)

व

व्याध (the hunter, addressed as righteous)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse emphasizes apramāda—steady vigilance—as essential to living dharma. Even one recognized as ‘best among the upholders of dharma’ must avoid complacency; righteousness is maintained through continual careful practice.

What is happening in the narrative?

The brāhmaṇa respectfully takes leave of the hunter after their encounter, offering blessings for his welfare and invoking Dharma as his protector, while also giving a final admonition to remain ever attentive in righteous conduct.