Shloka 37
The Bestowal of Boons upon Aṅga
धर्माय धर्मकर्त्रे च सर्वकर्त्रे च ते नमः । धर्मांगाय सुवीराय धर्माधाराय ते नमः
dharmāya dharmakartre ca sarvakartre ca te namaḥ | dharmāṃgāya suvīrāya dharmādhārāya te namaḥ
ധർമ്മസ്വരൂപനും ധർമ്മകർത്താവും സർവ്വകർത്താവും ആയ നിനക്കു നമസ്കാരം. ധർമ്മം തന്നേ അങ്ങങ്ങളായുള്ളവനേ, സുവീരനേ, ധർമ്മാധാരനേ—നിനക്കു പ്രണാമം.
Unspecified (a devotee/narrative voice offering praise within the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: The Lord is Dharma, the maker of Dharma, and the doer of all; dharma is not merely social rule but a divine body and foundation sustaining the world.
Application: When facing ethical ambiguity, ask: what action supports the vulnerable, preserves truth, and reduces harm? Treat dharma as service (seva) rather than self-justification.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Vishnu appears as a regal protector standing upon a pillar inscribed with the word 'Dharma', holding the cakra like a sun of justice. Beneath him, a balanced scene shows a king judging fairly, a householder giving alms, and a sage teaching—three strands of dharma unified by the deity’s steady gaze.","primary_figures":["Vishnu (as Dharma-ādhāra)","righteous king","householder donor","sage/teacher"],"setting":"A symbolic earthly panorama: temple steps leading into a city court on one side and a forest hermitage on the other, all under a single cosmic canopy.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["royal blue","sunlit gold","white jasmine","earth brown","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vishnu enthroned with gold-leaf aura, cakra and conch prominent, beneath him miniature panels of dharmic acts (dāna, nyāya, tapas) separated by ornate gold borders; rich reds and greens, gem-studded crown and ornaments, symmetrical composition emphasizing stability and support.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical landscape split between palace court and forest āśrama, Vishnu hovering as a calm blue presence above; delicate figures performing dharma, soft mountain hues, refined linework, gentle sunrise wash.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Vishnu as central dharma-guardian with bold outlines; stylized vignettes of charity and justice around him; strong red-yellow-green palette, temple-wall framing bands, rhythmic patterns suggesting order.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Vishnu with lotus and cakra, surrounded by circular medallions depicting dharmic deeds; intricate floral borders, deep blue background with gold highlights, symmetrical narrative layout akin to devotional hangings."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","mridangam soft pulse","conch accent","crowd hush (court)","forest birds (āśrama)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धर्मांगाय = धर्म + अङ्गाय (अनुस्वार/निग्रह); ते = त्वदः चतुर्थी-एकवचन-रूपम् (enclitic).
FAQs
The verse praises the addressed deity/person as the very embodiment of Dharma, the performer of righteous order, and the ultimate support of Dharma—language commonly used in Purāṇic stuti to identify the supreme upholder of cosmic and moral law.
It frames the praised one as the universal agent behind all actions and order, implying sovereignty over both ethical law (dharma) and the totality of creation and governance.
It presents Dharma not merely as a rulebook but as something grounded in a living, sustaining principle—encouraging reverence for righteousness as the basis of personal conduct and social/cosmic stability.