Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 46
ततः प्रोवाच वचनं धर्मो धर्मभृतां वरः । शृण्वतां धर्मपालानां मेघगम्भीरया गिरा
tataḥ provāca vacanaṃ dharmo dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ | śṛṇvatāṃ dharmapālānāṃ meghagambhīrayā girā
பின்னர் தர்மம்—தர்மத்தைத் தாங்குவோரில் சிறந்தவன்—கேட்டுக் கொண்டிருந்த தர்மபாலர்களிடம் மேகமென ஆழ்ந்த குரலில் உரைத்தான்।
Dharma (personified)
Scene: Dharma appears as a radiant, austere figure (or as a dignified sage-like embodiment), addressing dharmapālas; the air seems to vibrate like thunder as he begins his pronouncement.
FAQs
Dharma is not merely abstract; in Purāṇic narrative it is a living authority that proclaims the rule of righteousness and its sacred exceptions.
The speech introduces the proclamation that will glorify Śukla Tīrtha on the Narmadā.
No rite is stated yet; the verse signals an authoritative declaration about a tīrtha’s spiritual jurisdiction.