In the forest Naimisharanya, Sage Shaunaka and other rishis gathered to perform a satrayaga, a yaga to benefit all beings. During the break time, it was tradition to listen to Puranas from pauranikas, or storytellers. Suta Pauranika, a pauranika who was named Ugrashravas for his passion for listening, was the son of sage Romaharshana, a direct disciple of sage Sri Veda Vyasa. Having absorbed the Puranas from his father, Suta Pauranika was in Naimisharanya, retelling the scriptures to the Shaunaka and other rishis, when the titular question arose from Shaunaka Rishi: Where does Dharma seek refuge?
Dharma (धर्म:) has a vast array of connotations. Along with ‘righteousness’ and ‘duty’, it is also simply the nature of something. Sri Poornima ji takes the example of a flower: its dharma is its fragrance, its rosy shade. Ultimately, however, whatever we do is dharma if it leads us to supreme good.
Dharma as an entity cannot be seen, rather it is embodied through a ‘Dharmi’ — one who practices Dharma. Being a dharmi, you unwittingly influence others to follow suit. Sri Poornima ji tells the story of a sage and a dacoit: this sadhu wished to cross a path, which was inhabited by a fierce dacoit, threatening to attack anyone who attempted to pass through. Everyone in the sage’s periphery urged him not to, but when he continued along the path, the dacoit was physically unable to strike upon him, as the level at which the sage practiced ahimsa, or nonviolence, was insurmountable, and in turn influenced the dacoit accordingly. In the same sense, dharma resides in each one of us, in every dharmi, and it spreads to every being in the dharmi’s microcosm.
Upon hearing Shaunaka Rishi’s questions, Suta Pauranika was thrilled: the answer to Shaunaka Rishi’s questions were contained within Srimad Bhagavatam, thereby his perfect inquiries would be perfectly satisfied. He responded to the first question “What is the path to supreme good?” with Bhakthi, Bhagavata Dharma, and unadulterated love for Bhagavan through Bhagavan Nama sankirtanam. In response to “Why was Krishna born to Devaki and Vasudeva?”, he stated “To establish Bhagavata Dharma, Bhakti Marga,” also being the answer to the reason for Krishna’s acts. The Srimad Bhagavatam details Suta Pauranika’s answers to Krishna’s many avatarams within the tenth canto. And lastly, to answer “Where does Dharma seek refuge?”, Suta Pauranika simply responded “In Bhagavan Nama Sankirtanam.” When Sri Krishna lived on earth, Dharma was holding on to Bhagavan as the Dharmi. In Kali yuga, however, Bhagavan exists in the form of Nama (His Divine Name), and Dharma is sheltered in the ashrayam (refuge) of nama. Nama sankirtanam is what will protect and hold Dharma in this Age.
As stated by Sri Poornima ji, “Dharma is right living.” It is Nama sankirtanam that will guide us through this divine path.
By Sharada Athreya, 17 years, Dallas TX
Based on Sri Poornimaji’s Kishora Bhagavatam sessions.
