Dharma
Dharma
Dharma is a name used for more than one being and thing in the Purāṇas and Itihāsas. Each is listed below with where it is told; choose the one you are looking for.
Devatās
- Dharma Devatā: Dharma in person, born from the chest of Śrī Kṛshṇa, who was born again as Yudhishṭhira, Vidura and a caṇḍāla. Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa; Padma Purāṇa, Bhūmi Khaṇḍa; Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva; Mahābhārata, Āśramavāsika Parva; Vāmana Purāṇa; Vāmana Purāṇa, Saro Māhātmya; Agni Purāṇa; Kalki Purāṇa, Tritīyāṃśa; Bhāgavata Purāṇa; Bhavishya Purāṇa
- Dharma, the Bull of Right Order: Dharma as a living being born from Brahmā as a bull, who upholds right order in every age, set on the banner of Bhagavān Sūrya and honoured in the gift of the bull. Varāha Purāṇa, Chapters 2 and 32; Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, Chapters 24–26; Skanda Purāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Dharmāraṇya Khaṇḍa, Pūrvārdha, Chapters 3–4 and 8; Agni Purāṇa, Chapters 167, 211, 213; Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 53; Uttara Parva, Chapters 69, 141, 159–160
Things and ideas
- Dharma: right order, one of the most important ideas in Sanātana Dharma. Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapters 3, 7–8, 48–49, 62; Agni Purāṇa, Chapters 159, 161–162, 166, 223–224, 253, 284, 362; Bhāgavata Purāṇa, Skandha 3, Chapter 16; Skandha 7, Chapter 11; Skandha 8, Chapter 14; Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapters 2, 6–7; Madhyama Parva, Bhāga 1, Chapter 1; Uttara Parva, Chapter 207
Named in passing
- Dharma, a Sādhya: one of the twelve Sādhyas, told on Sādhyas. Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 125
- Dharma the vaṇik: a truthful vaṇik of Śākala who kept giving on Akshaya Tṛtīyā, told on Akshaya Tṛtīyā. Bhavishya Purāṇa, Uttara Parva, Chapters 30–33