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== Yama Devataswaroopam ==

== Yama Devataswaroopam ==

Swarga (heavens) are three in number, of which two, the Dyurloka and Bhuloka are under the control of the Surya. One is under the control of Yama.  

* Yama descended from Mahavishnu in the following order according to Puranic Encyclopedia : Vishnu - Brahma - Marichi - Kaasyapa - Surya - Yama.

* The birth of Yama is described in Vishnu Purana (Part 3, Chap 2). Yama is the son of Surya and Samjna.  Dhoomornaa is the name of Yama's wife. (Mahabharata. Udyoga Parva, Chapter 117, Verse 9).

* Yama is the brother of Manu, Yami, Sanaischara, Tapati and Manu (another one of same name) and Ashvinikumaras, Revanta and Bhaya.

Sayanacharaya explains that Yama controls the middle planet Antariksha where exists the Yamaloka also described as Paravyoma, it is the higher plane of existence for the dead, who along with the pitris (ancestors) reside in this place for which Yama is the palaka (governor). Thus, द्युर्लोकः || Dyurloka (land of light ) and the Pitruloka are under the control of Yama.  

== Yama in Vedas ==

 Among the many devatas, Yamadeva is one of the significant ones, as he represents Kala (time). Along with Indra, Varuna, Agni, and Soma, Yama is also worshiped since Vedic times. <blockquote>"यत्र राजा वैवस्वतो यत्रावरोधनं दिवः | यत्रामूर्यह्वतीरापस्तत्र माममृतं कृधीन्द्रायेन्दो परि स्रव ||" (Rig. Veda. 9.113.8)</blockquote><blockquote>"yatra rājā vaivasvato yatrāvarodhanaṁ divaḥ | yatrāmūryahvatīrāpastatra māmamr̥taṁ kr̥dhīndrāyendo pari srava ||" (Rig. Veda. 9.113.8) </blockquote>Meaning : Make me eternal in the realms where King Vivaswaan's son rules. Surya is also called Vivasvaan.<blockquote>"तिस्रो द्यावः सवितुर द्वा उपस्थां एका यमस्य भुवने विराषाट | आणिं न रथ्यममृताधि तस्थुरिह ब्रवीतु य उ तच्चिकेतत् ||" (Rig. Veda. 1.35.6)</blockquote><blockquote>"tisro dyāvaḥ savitura dvā upasthāṁ ekā yamasya bhuvane virāṣāṭa | āṇiṁ na rathyamamr̥tādhi tasthuriha bravītu ya u tacciketat ||" (Rig. Veda. 1.35.6)</blockquote>Meaning: Two of the three Urdhvalokas (Higher heavens) are controlled by Savitr, and one by Yama.

This is as per the explanation given in the the Vedas (Rig Veda 10.14.8). Therefore, it should not be hastily construed that Yamaloka is the land of suffering alone. This larger understanding as explained in the Vedas demolishes the common notions prevalent among people, that Yamaloka is an infernal place. Of course, this does not mean that Naraka does not exist. Naraka exists and Yamadeva oversees the activities there.

Swarga (heavens) are three in number, of which two, the द्युर्लोकः || Dyurloka (land of light ) and Bhuloka are under the control of the Surya. One is under the control of Yama.  

It is also explained that Yama strolls along with other devatas (Rik Samhita 10.135.1). Therefore it is not correct to say that Yamaraj is only the master of the Naraka loka(hell).  The previous episodes describe Nachiketa’s journey to Yamaloka and the realisation he had was the yama loka was the resting place of his pitris (ancestors). He also heard the playing of the flute (Rik Samhita 10.135.7).  

 

 

It is also explained that Yama strolls along with other devatas (Rig. Veda.10.135.1). Therefore it is not correct to say that Yamaraj is only the master of the Naraka (hell).  The previous episodes describe Nachiketa’s journey to Yamaloka and the realisation he had was the yama loka was the resting place of his pitris (ancestors). He also heard the playing of the flute (Rik Samhita 10.135.7).  

== Yama in mahabharata ==

== Yama in mahabharata ==

"Yudhishthira said, 'Do thou discourse to me once again, O grandsire, upon the merits attaching to gifts of sesame and of lamps for lighting darkness, as also of food and robes.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'Do thou discourse to me once again, O grandsire, upon the merits attaching to gifts of sesame and of lamps for lighting darkness, as also of food and robes.'