Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 6
कार्यारम्भेषु सर्वेषु सानुगेन मया तव । स्व आत्मा कल्पितो भद्रे ज्ञात्वैतदनुकंप्यताम
kāryārambheṣu sarveṣu sānugena mayā tava | sva ātmā kalpito bhadre jñātvaitadanukaṃpyatāma
Trong lúc khởi sự mọi công việc, con cùng các tùy thuộc đã thỉnh Ngài như chính tự ngã của con. Biết điều ấy, ô Đấng hiền từ, xin rủ lòng thương xót.
Yudhiṣṭhira
Listener: Śaunaka and the Naimiṣāraṇya ṛṣis (standard Skanda Purāṇa frame)
Scene: A king stands in humility, hands raised in añjali, addressing a revered feminine presence (or a revered figure addressed as ‘bhadre’), with attendants behind him; the moment is intimate and supplicatory.
FAQs
Remembering the divine at the start of every action is presented as the foundation of dharmic success and inner protection.
The verse continues the kṣetra-centered Devī-stotra, highlighting the site as a place where beginnings are sanctified through her grace.
Smaraṇa/japa of Devī at the commencement of all undertakings (kāryārambha) and a plea for her mercy.