Legend of Lord Dharma reveals the origin of Dharma Cult. The idea of voidness in its cosmology was derived from the popular misconception of the doctrine of impermanence of Nagarjuna. The Dharma existed in the tenth century and it was chiefly prevalent in Rarh in south-west Bengal. It is seen especially in the region lying to the south and west of the Damodar. Through this region flowed the now extinct River Champa which was the sacred river of Dharma-worshippers. On the bank of this river stood the village of Hakanda that is believed to be the original centre of the Dharma cult.
Karnasen of Maynagar was a feudatory king who was under the suzerainty of the emperor of Gaur. Ichhai Ghos of Dhekurgar, a feudatory king, revolted against the emperor. Karnasen had sent his six sons to subdue the rebellion. The sons were killed and Karnasen`s wife died in grievance. The emperor gave Karnasen his sister-in-law Ranjavati in marriage. Her brother Mahamad I was the emperor`s prime minister and opposed the marriage.
Ranjavati was a devotee of Lord Dharma and by the grace of Lord she bore her old husband a son who was called Lausen. Her brother`s opposition took the form of hatred for his nephew and several attempts were made to kill him. However he was protected by Lord Dharma. He after attaining manhood set out for Gaur to present himself before the emperor. On his way travelling to Gaur Lausen fought a tiger and a crocodile. He was commended and rewarded by the emperor for the valour showed by him. Thereafter his trials began that were engineered by his hateful uncle. He was told to lead three dangerous expeditions: first was against the king of Kamrup against Kanara, the princess of Simul and second was against Ichhai Ghos of Dhekurgar.
In absence of Lausen Mahamad invaded Maynagar, Kalu Dom and Lakhiya. Lausen`s friends and Kalinga, one of Lausen`s wives were killed. Another friend of Lausen, Harihar Baiti who had witnessed the sunrise in the west was stabbed by Mahamad. However he was restored to life by Lord Dharma and thereafter he reigned happily in Maynagar.Many Dharma poets came from that region. The Dharma-mangal may be called the epic of Rarh.
