A Stotra on the Supremacy of Sri Hari by Yama

धातुरुत्तमः

Supreme, greatest among those who support, those who bear the load of universe, those who carry forward the universe. As we said, there are innumerable universes, universes that come and go in various kalpas and mahakalpas, during the lifetimes of numerous Brahmas. So there are many dhatas. Bhumi is a carrier, bearer, support, so she is called धात्री, धाता, धात्री.

Among all these supports, he is the greatest, supreme, because he is the ashraya — support for all of them. They all rest on him. They all depend on him. All these supports like Bhumi, Kurma, Ananta — they all rest upon him. He is at the base of all of them.

धाता is also Brahma. धातुरुत्तमः विरिञ्चेः उत्कृष्टः — he is greater than Brahma because he only ordains him, delegates the task of creation to him.

In Varaha Purana, in a conversation between Brahma and Rudra, it is asked —

एतेषां कतमो देवः परः कोवाथवापरः

Who among these Devas is the greatest?

The answer comes —

परो नारायणो देवः तस्माज्जातश्चतुर्मुखः

Even Brahma is born from Narayana. Hence he is the greatest, even greater than Brahma.

In Narasimha Purana, there is a portion called Yamāshtaka. It is the ninth chapter of Narasimha Purana.

In eight shlokas, Yama advises Yama Dootas how to deal with Vaishnavas, devotees of Shri Hari. These shlokas reveal Yama’s perception about Shri Hari.

स्वपुरु...

Stay away from the devotees of Madhusudana, Shri Hari.
I have no command over them. My jurisdiction extends only up to those who are non-devotees of Shri Hari.

प्रभुरहमन्यनृणां न वैष्णवानाम्
अहममर......

I have been appointed as the niyamaka, controller by Brahma — this is for the welfare of the world. But my command is only over Hari-guru-vimukhaah — those who have turned themselves away from Guru and Hari, those who are not attached to Guru and Hari. Why Guru? Because Guru alone shows the path to Hari. Those who keep their heads at the lotus feet, I pay respects to such people, says Yama to his dootas.

सुगतिं .....

My sugati, sadgati is also in his hands. My antarātmā is absorbed in him. I am under his command. I am not free. He controls me.

भगवति .....

Poison can never become amruta. Heat iron in the fire for hundred years, still it will not become gold. In the same way, भगवति विमुखस्य नास्ति सिद्धिः — there cannot be success for someone who has turned away from him, who has no interest in him.

नहि...

The kalanka of Chandra never can go away. Chandra can never become as brilliant as Surya. But the devotee of Shri Hari — even if his body is lacklustre, impure — he shines forth.

महदपि.....

After analysing all the tattvas, all spiritual principles, one thing becomes clear: there is no success for someone who doesn’t take refuge in Shri Hari. His lotus feet are ashraya even for Deva Guru Brihaspati. You people also fix your mind in them.

शुभमिदं .....

Taking birth as a human is not easy. A human birth happens as a result of punya accrued over so many other births. Still, people waste this opportunity. They are engaged in self-gratification. Instead of striving for moksha — which is possible only in human birth — they go after trivial things. They go after sensory pleasures. It is like burning away a log of chandana for obtaining some ashes.

मुकुलित्...

Even great Devas offer namaskaras to him, at his lotus feet. He is the greatest of all. He is Sanatana. He alone can put an end to the cycle of rebirths. I offer my namaskaras to him.

This is what Yama has to say about Shri Hari.

Whoever listens to Yamāshtaka will be absolved of all sins and will attain Vishnuloka.

• Why does Yama step back from devotees of Sri Hari?

  • Because grace outranks fear. Align with the Lord through honest living, not as a loophole to misbehave.

• If Sri Hari is the ‘support of all supports’, what changes in my daily anxiety?

  • Plan well, work clean, and hand over the outcome. Worry reduces when you stop acting like the final controller.

• What does ‘no command over devotees’ mean for fear of death?

  • Live ready, not scared. Keep your duties current, reconcile early, and keep his name near; fear loses its bite.

• Why is a guru mentioned alongside the Lord?

  • A true guide points your mind to the Lord and trims ego. Practically: learn a short text line daily and act on it.

• Human birth is rare — how do I not waste it?

  • Three anchors: a few minutes of study, some service, and one honest correction each day.

• How do I test if bhakti is real and not just talk?

  • Kinder speech under stress, cleaner money habits, steady sleep, and faster apologies.

• Can someone with many flaws still ‘shine’ by devotion?

  • Yes. Start where you are: truth in small things, a short daily name, and a quiet good deed.

• How do I keep charity from feeding my ego?

  • Give quietly, respect dignity, and don’t post it. If advice is asked, keep it short and kind.

• What family habits reflect trust in the Lord, not fatalism?

  • Device-free meals, shared chores, and a brief evening gratitude together. Faith shows as care.

• How do I handle arguments about faith at home?

  • Set a time limit, drop sarcasm, and do a shared task after. Relationship first, debate second.

• If results are the Lord’s, why plan?

  • Planning is stewardship, not control. It reduces waste and keeps you available for grace.

• What is a compact daily set to stay under grace?

  • Morning light, one round of name, honest work in blocks, 5-minute breath breaks, dusk gratitude, short walk.

• How do I use breath for steadiness that supports prayer?

  • Nose breathing 4-in/6-out for 5 minutes; add the Lord’s name on the exhale. Calms pulse and focus.

• What do I teach children so reverence stays practical?

  • Three T’s: truth, tidiness, thanks. Praise effort over winning; one small kindness daily.

• How do I keep ‘divine protection’ from turning into pride?

  • Attribute every good to the giver, avoid boasting, and serve where no one can see.

• What should I do when guilt over past wrongs bites?

  • Admit, repair, and resume practice. Guilt is a signal; correction is the cure.

• How do I relate to non-believers without threat or contempt?

  • Serve, speak plainly, and never weaponize scripture. Grace is not a club you use on others.

• What do I do while waiting months for results?

  • Stay useful: learn, tidy finances, mentor, and help at home. Patience is steady action, not idling.

• How do I ‘offer’ my work without sounding pious?

  • Say in the heart: ‘This is yours.’ Then meet your deadlines and keep promises. Offering is shown, not announced.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi