Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 26
कालेकाले च रक्षामि त्वामेवाहं सदानुगः । न तां पश्यामि रक्षंतीं नत्वा यां स्तौषि भारत
kālekāle ca rakṣāmi tvāmevāhaṃ sadānugaḥ | na tāṃ paśyāmi rakṣaṃtīṃ natvā yāṃ stauṣi bhārata
Em todo tempo eu te protejo—eu, que sempre te acompanho ao teu lado. Contudo não a vejo guardando-te, embora te prostres diante dela e a louves, ó Bhārata.
Deducted (contextual): Bhīma
Listener: Bhārata (addressed figure)
Scene: A guardian figure (Skanda-like, martial yet compassionate) stands beside a devotee addressed as ‘Bhārata’, gesturing in admonition: ‘I protect you always, yet you praise another protector.’ The devotee bows, conflicted, between two symbolic presences (true guardian vs. misconceived protectress).
FAQs
Balance devotion with discernment and gratitude—acknowledge the tangible protectors who serve you through dharma.
None is stated in this verse.
Bowing and praise (namaskāra and stuti) are implied, but no specific vrata, snāna, or dāna is given.