Dharma’s Stotra to Śiva at Dharma Pushkariṇī
This is a stotra of six verses that Dharma sang to Bhagavān Śiva at the Dharma Pushkariṇī, a sacred tank on the shore of the southern ocean, in what became the Setu-kshetra. Dharma is the deva of dharma and appears here as a bull. The stotra is found in the Skanda Mahā Purāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Setu Māhātmya, chapter 3. Pleased with it, Bhagavān Śiva made Dharma his vāhana (mount), the sacred bull Vṛshabha.
The setting
Bhagavān Vishṇu appeared before Gālava at the Dharma Pushkariṇī. There he told Gālava the history of that sacred tank.
In former times Dharma came to the southern ocean shore. He meditated on Mahādeva in his mind and performed fierce tapas (austerity). For his ritual bath Dharma himself made a tīrtha. Because Dharma made it, it became famous as the Dharma Pushkariṇī. Gālava was now serving Bhagavān Vishṇu there, and in the same way Dharma had served Bhagavān Śiva with tapas.
Bhagavān Śiva appeared and lit all ten directions with his brilliance. When Śiva came to his āśrama, Dharma was filled with joy. He praised the merciful Parameśvara with this stotra.
The stotra
Dharma sang to Bhagavān Śiva at the Dharma Pushkariṇī:
- Namaskāra to you, Jagannātha, prabhu of all, whose own form (svarūpa) is the praṇava, Oṃkāra. You are the form of all the devas. You have no beginning, middle or end.
- Namaskāra to you, the ūrdhva-retus (the perfectly celibate), the virūpāksha (three-eyed), the viśvarūpa (of universal form). You are the jagad-ādhāra, the support of all the worlds. You are ananta, imperishable, without destruction.
- Namaskāra to you, whom the yogīndras know as the pushṭi-vardhana, the giver of well-being and prosperity. Namaskāra to the Lokādhinātha, the sovereign of all worlds. Namaskāra to you, the supremely radiant, the most luminous.
- Namaskāra to the Nīlakaṇṭha, the blue-throated. Namaskāra to the Vṛshapati, the master of the bull and of dharma. Namaskāra to you who destroy all kalmāsha (impurity). Namaskāra to the Mīḍhushṭa, the bountiful giver of wishes.
- Namaskāra to Rudra, to Deva, to Kadruda, to Pracetas. Namaskāra to you who bear the bow (dhanu) in one hand and the trident (śūla) in the other.
- Namaskāra to the Caitanya-rūpa, the form of pure consciousness. Namaskāra to the Paśupati, the master of all paśus (beings). Namaskāra to the Pañcānana, the five-faced. Namaskāra to the Kshetrapati, the master of all sacred kshetras.
Śiva’s answer and the vara
Śaṅkara, who gives welfare to all worlds, was filled with great joy at the stotra. He said, “O Dharma Mahāmati, I am pleased with your stotra. Ask for a vara without delay.”
Dharma asked for the highest favour. He said, “O Pārvatīpati, O Tripurāntaka, grant me this one vara: let me be your vāhana always. By carrying you alone I shall be fulfilled.”
Bhagavān Śiva granted it at once. He said, “O Dharma, honoured by all the worlds, become my vāhana. Your strength in carrying me will never run out. Those who serve you will always have bhakti (devotion) to me. This is certain.”
From that moment Dharma took the form of the bull (vṛshabha). He has served Parameśvara as his vāhana ever since.
The glory of the Dharma Pushkariṇī
Bhagavān Śiva, seated on the Vṛshabha who is Dharma, then spoke of the glory of the Dharma Pushkariṇī. Whatever japa, homa, dāna, svādhyāya and other acts of dharma are done on its banks give ananta-phala, endless fruit. Having given this vara to the tīrtha, Śaṅkara left on the bull of dharma for Kailāsa.
Sources
- Skanda Mahā Purāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Setu Māhātmya, Chapter 3