Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 77
मूर्च्छनातालसंयुक्तं तंत्रीलयसमन्वितम् । क्षणेन सहसा देवो धर्मराजो जितात्मवान् । विमनाः स तदा जातो धर्मराजो नृपात्मजः
mūrcchanātālasaṃyuktaṃ taṃtrīlayasamanvitam | kṣaṇena sahasā devo dharmarājo jitātmavān | vimanāḥ sa tadā jāto dharmarājo nṛpātmajaḥ
மூர்ச்சனைத் தாளம் சேர்ந்தும், தந்திரியின் அளவோடு நிறைந்தும் இருந்த அந்த இசையால், ஒரு கணத்தில் தன்னடக்கம் கொண்ட தேவ தர்மராஜனும் திடீரென மனம் தளர்ந்தான், அரசகுமாரனே।
Narrator addressing Yudhiṣṭhira (nṛpātmaja)
Tirtha: Dharmāraṇya
Type: kshetra
Listener: Yudhiṣṭhira (addressed as nṛpātmaja)
Scene: Music swells with mūrchchanā and tāla; the string-cadence becomes irresistible. In an instant Dharmarāja—disciplined and radiant—turns visibly downcast, as if a shadow crossed his face.
FAQs
Even the disciplined can be shaken by subtle allure; vigilance is part of Dharma when confronted by refined temptation.
Dharmāraṇya is the sacred narrative arena; its māhātmya is expressed through events that reveal the power of Dharma and the dangers of मोह (mohana).
No direct ritual is stated; the verse illustrates a moral-spiritual trial through music.