Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 160
तच्च त्राणं सदा कार्यं प्राणैः कंठगतैरपि । अस्माकं पश्यतामेवं यदि संक्षोभ्यते जगत्
tacca trāṇaṃ sadā kāryaṃ prāṇaiḥ kaṃṭhagatairapi | asmākaṃ paśyatāmevaṃ yadi saṃkṣobhyate jagat
«Por ello, el acto de rescate debe emprenderse siempre, aun si el aliento vital sube hasta la garganta. Pues si, ante nuestros propios ojos, el mundo es sacudido de este modo…»
Devas (collectively) addressing Vāsava (Indra) within Sūta’s narration
Listener: Devas/Indra (contextual)
Scene: Devas in a tense vow-like stance, hands raised in resolve, declaring that rescue must be done even if breath is at the throat; the world trembles in the background as if shaken by impending catastrophe.
FAQs
Protecting the world is a non-negotiable dharma—true guardians act even at the edge of death.
None.
None; it is a statement of duty (dharma) rather than a ritual rule.