Vamana Purana — Sukesha's Boon & Twelve Dharmas, Shloka 22
Sukesha’s Boon, the Twelve Dharmas of Beings, and the Cosmography of the Seven Dvipas with the Twenty-One Hells
ब्रह्मचर्यं यताशित्वं जप्यं ज्ञानं च राक्षस नियमाद्धर्मवेदित्वमार्थो धर्मः प्रचक्ष्यते
brahmacaryaṃ yatāśitvaṃ japyaṃ jñānaṃ ca rākṣasa niyamāddharmaveditvamārtho dharmaḥ pracakṣyate
梵行（持戒清净）、节制饮食、诵持圣咒（japa）与智慧——噢，罗刹啊——凭借这些约束，便成为通达法（dharma）之人。所谓目的（artha）被宣示为：法。
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FAQs
Dharma is not merely external ritual; it is stabilized by inner restraints—continence, regulated appetite, disciplined recitation, and cultivated understanding. These niyamas mature a person into a ‘knower of dharma,’ implying dharma requires trained character and clarity, not only social identity.
This is best classified under ācāra/dharma-śikṣā material rather than the five hallmark topics as a primary category; secondarily it supports ‘Vamśānucarita’/narrative frames by prescribing conduct for beings within the cosmic and genealogical order. In pancalakṣaṇa terms, it is ancillary instruction (upabṛṃhaṇa) rather than sarga/pratisarga-focused.
The pairing of japa and jñāna with bodily disciplines (food and sexuality) symbolizes integration of speech, mind, and body. ‘Dharma as the purpose’ suggests that artha (aim) is subordinated to dharma—ethical order becomes the governing telos for all pursuits.