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
Rồi Dharma—bậc tối thượng trong hàng những người gìn giữ chính pháp—nói với các dharmapāla đang lắng nghe, bằng giọng trầm sâu như tiếng mây sấm.
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.