Shloka 31
Skanda–Mātṛgaṇa-janma: Kumārakāḥ, Kanyāgaṇāḥ, and the Vīrāṣṭaka (स्कन्द-मातृगण-सम्भवः)
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
āpṛcche tvāṁ svasti te 'stu dharmas tvāṁ parirakṣatu | apramādas tu kartavyo dharme dharmabhṛtāṁ vara ||
Brahmana itu berkata: “Aku memohon izin untuk berundur dan berangkat. Semoga sejahtera menyertaimu, dan semoga Dharma sentiasa melindungimu. Wahai yang terbaik antara para penegak kebenaran—wahai pemburu—jangan sekali-kali lalai dalam mengamalkan dharma.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
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.
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.