Shloka 57
स्कन्द बोले--प्रभो! मैं सातवें व्यूह मारुतस्कन्धकी अवश्य रक्षा करूँगा। देव! इसके सिवा और भी मेरा जो कुछ कर्तव्य हो, उसके लिये आप शीघ्र आज्ञा दीजिये ।। रुद्र वाच कार्येष्वहं त्वया पुत्र संद्रष्टव्य: सदैव हि । दर्शनान्मम भव्त्या च श्रेय: परमवाप्स्यसि,रुद्रने कहा--पुत्र! काम पड़नेपर तुम सदा मुझसे मिलते रहना। मेरे दर्शनसे तथा मुझमें भक्ति करनेसे तुम्हारा परम कल्याण होगा
Skanda uvāca—prabho! ahaṁ saptame vyūhe Mārutaskaṇḍhakīṁ avaśyaṁ rakṣiṣyāmi. deva! etad-vyatiriktaṁ ca mama yad kiṁcid kartavyaṁ, tat-kṛte bhavān śīghram ājñāṁ dadātu. Rudra uvāca—kāryeṣu ahaṁ tvayā, putra, sandraṣṭavyaḥ sadaiva hi. darśanān mama bhaktyā ca śreyaḥ param avāpsyasi.
Skanda said: “Lord, I will certainly protect the seventh battle-formation called Māruta-skandha. O god, if there is any other duty for me besides this, command me quickly.” Rudra replied: “My son, whenever tasks arise, you should always come to meet me. By beholding me and by maintaining devotion to me, you will attain the highest welfare.”
स्कन्द उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in martial or administrative duties, one should remain anchored in devotion and seek divine guidance: Rudra teaches that regular turning toward the divine (darśana and bhakti) leads to the highest śreyas (true welfare), not merely success in action.
Skanda pledges to protect a specific, seventh battle-formation named Mārutaskaṇḍhakī and asks for further orders. Rudra responds as a guiding father-figure, instructing Skanda to meet him whenever needed and assuring him that divine vision and devotion will bring supreme good.