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Line 43: − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − 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. However it should be emphasized that Naraka does exist and Yamadeva oversees the activities there. + − 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). + − +
Added Yama Sukta and meaning
Yama (Samskrit : यमः) also called as Dharmaraja is the much feared ruler of Kala and Dharma (righteousness), according to Sanatana Dharma principles, after death every deed done by a person are taken into account and the elevation of soul is then decided. A Jiva's path of travel to higher realms namely Devayana and Pritruyana are dependent on the Karma (deeds) and the knowledge attained by a Jiva or soul, all of which is clearly accounted for in the records maintained by Yama.
Yama (Samskrit : यमः) also called as Dharmaraja is the much feared ruler of Kala and Dharma (righteousness), according to Sanatana Dharma principles, after death every deed done by a person are taken into account and the elevation of soul is then decided. A Jiva's path of travel to higher realms namely Devayana and Pritruyana are dependent on the Karma (deeds) and the knowledge attained by a Jiva or soul, all of which is clearly accounted for in the records maintained by Yama.
== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
Yama though is associated with Dharma, is also feared as the god of death. Following are a few important aspects about Yama as given in various texts.
Yama though is associated with Dharma, is also feared as the god of death. Following are a few important aspects about Yama as given in various texts.
*'''Savitri Yamagaatha''' : The legend about Savitri, a mahapativrata, following Yamadeva to bring back her husband Satyavaan's life is very well known.
*'''Savitri Yamagaatha''' : The legend about Savitri, a mahapativrata, following Yamadeva to bring back her husband Satyavaan's life is very well known.
*'''Nachiketa Yamagaatha''' : Yama and Nachiketa legend reveals that Yama was knowlegeable about brahmavidya and he imparts it to Nachiketa. (Chandogya Upanishad).
*'''Nachiketa Yamagaatha''' : Yama and Nachiketa legend reveals that Yama was knowlegeable about brahmavidya and he imparts it to Nachiketa. (Chandogya Upanishad).
== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
'''[[Amarakosha]]''' defines the following about Yama in स्वर्गवर्गः (Prathama kanda Slokas 58 - 59)
'''[[Amarakosha]]''' defines the following about Yama in स्वर्गवर्गः (Prathama kanda Slokas 58 - 59)
== Role of Yama ==
== Role of Yama ==
Yama's chief role is that of time calculation and administration of impartial justice to all souls after their lifespan is completed on earth. Thus, he is much feared as the Mrityudeva (Devata for Death).
Yama's chief role is that of time calculation and administration of impartial justice to all souls after their lifespan is completed on earth. Thus, he is much feared as the Mrityudeva (Devata for Death).
=== धर्मराजः || Dharmaraja ===
=== धर्मराजः || Dharmaraja ===
Yama though kept at a distance as Mrityudevata, his role is highly acclaimed as the Dharmadevata. Yama is known for his meticulous book keeping and impartiality towards all beings and hence called as समवर्ती || Samavarthi. With this unyielding impartial nature he takes into account the minutest karmas of every being with the help of Chitragupta and accordingly assesses their path to further higher realms ([[Devayana and Pitrayana (देवयान मार्ग और पित्रयान मार्ग)|Devayana and Pitriyana]]). It is said that a soul after liberation from the mortal body is received by the agents of Yama and taken to Yamapuri. From there the holy souls are directed to Vaikuntha (the abode of Vishnu) or to the abode of Parabrahma and the sinful souls are sent to Naraka (Hell) to complete their time as per the nature and seriousness of their sins. Garuda Purana has the detailed information of 28 different kinds of Narakas based on the sins committed.
Yama though kept at a distance as Mrityudevata, his role is highly acclaimed as the Dharmadevata. Yama is known for his meticulous book keeping and impartiality towards all beings and hence called as समवर्ती || Samavarthi. With this unyielding impartial nature he takes into account the minutest karmas of every being with the help of Chitragupta and accordingly assesses their path to further higher realms ([[Devayana and Pitrayana (देवयान मार्ग और पित्रयान मार्ग)|Devayana and Pitriyana]]). It is said that a soul after liberation from the mortal body is received by the agents of Yama and taken to Yamapuri. From there the holy souls are directed to Vaikuntha (the abode of Vishnu) or to the abode of Parabrahma and the sinful souls are sent to Naraka (Hell) to complete their time as per the nature and seriousness of their sins. Garuda Purana has the detailed information of 28 different kinds of Narakas based on the sins committed.
Yama disclosed the secrets of Dharma as per Mahabharata (Anus. Parv. Chap. 130)
Yama disclosed the secrets of Dharma as per Mahabharata (Anus. Parv. Chap. 130)
=== कालः || Kaala ===
=== कालः || Kaala ===
Brahma, it is said assigns a time of existence or lifespan for every being, to be spent on Bhuloka. In the sense of maintaining the longevity records of every being, Yama plays an important role as a timekeeper of every being that is born on prithvi (earth). Markandeya's legend explains the scrupulous time keeping sense of Yama, where He throws his pasha or noose around Markandeya at the end of his lifespan, and invites the wrath of Mahadeva.
Brahma, it is said assigns a time of existence or lifespan for every being, to be spent on Bhuloka. In the sense of maintaining the longevity records of every being, Yama plays an important role as a timekeeper of every being that is born on prithvi (earth). Markandeya's legend explains the scrupulous time keeping sense of Yama, where He throws his pasha or noose around Markandeya at the end of his lifespan, and invites the wrath of Mahadeva.
=== पितृपतिः || Pitrupati ===
=== पितृपतिः || Pitrupati ===
Yama is the Adhipati or king of Pitruloka. This loka is in the middle of the three worlds, bordered by Bhuloka on the southern side and Atalaloka on the upper end. Agnisvattas and other pitrs stay there in meditative trance for securing prosperity to those who come to pitruloka. The efficacy of performing shraddha karmas, giving tila (gingelly seeds), jala (water), and anna (food) to Brahmana's and other shrouta dharmas are overseen by Yama.
Yama is the Adhipati or king of Pitruloka. This loka is in the middle of the three worlds, bordered by Bhuloka on the southern side and Atalaloka on the upper end. Agnisvattas and other pitrs stay there in meditative trance for securing prosperity to those who come to pitruloka. The efficacy of performing shraddha karmas, giving tila (gingelly seeds), jala (water), and anna (food) to Brahmana's and other shrouta dharmas are overseen by Yama.
== Yama Devataswaroopam ==
== Yama Devataswaroopam ==
=== Birth and Family ===
=== Birth and Family ===
* Yama descended from Mahavishnu in the following order according to Puranic Encyclopedia : Vishnu - Brahma - Marichi - Kaasyapa - Surya - 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).
* 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.
* Yama is the brother of Manu, Yami, Sanaischara, Tapati and Manu (another one of same name) and Ashvinikumaras, Revanta and Bhaya.
== Yama in Vedas ==
== 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.
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.
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.
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.
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, Yamaloka and the Pitruloka are under the control of Yama.
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, Yamaloka and the Pitruloka are under the control of Yama.
Yama Sukta यम सूक्त
वैवस्वतो यमः। यमः,६ अङ्गिरःपित्रथर्वभृगुसोमाः,७-९ लिङ्गोक्तदेवताः पितरो वा,१०-१२ श्वानौ। त्रिष्टुप्,१३,१४,१६, अनुष्टुप्, १५ बृहती।
परेयिवांसं प्रवतो महीरनु बहुभ्यः पन्थामनुपस्पशानम | वैवस्वतं संगमनं जनानां यमं राजानं हविषा दुवस्य || 1
यमो नो गातुं प्रथमो विवेद नैषा गव्यूतिरपभर्तवा उ | यत्रा नः पूर्वे पितरः परेयुरेना जज्ञानाः पथ्या अनु सवाः || 2
मातली कव्यैर्यमो अङगिरोभिर्बृहस्पतिऋक्वभिर्वावृधानः | याँश्च देवा वावृधुर्ये च देवान्त्स्वाहान्ये स्वधयान्ये मदन्ति || 3
इमं यम प्रस्तरमा हि सीदाऽङगिरोभिः पित्र्भिःसंविदानः | आ त्वा मन्त्राः कविशस्ता वहन्त्वेना राजन्हविषा मादयस्व || 4
अङगिरोभिरा गहि यज्ञियेभिर्यम वैरूपैरिह मादयस्व | विवस्वन्तं हुवे यः पिता तेऽस्मिन्यज्ञे बर्हिष्यानिषद्य || 5
अङगिरसो नः पितरो नवग्वा अथर्वाणो भृगवः सोम्यासः | तेषां वयं सुमतौ यज्ञियानामपि भद्रे सौमनसेस्याम || 6
प्रेहि प्रेहि पथिभिः पूर्व्येभिर्यत्रा नः पूर्वे पितरःपरेयुः | उभा राजाना स्वधया मदन्ता यमं पश्यासिवरुणं च देवम || 7
सं गच्छस्व पित्र्भिः सं यमेनेष्टापूर्तेन परमेव्योमन् | हित्वायावद्यं पुनरस्तमेहि सं गच्छस्व तन्वासुवर्चाः || 8
अपेत वीत वि च सर्पतातोऽस्मा एतं पितरो लोकमक्रन् | अहोभिरद्भिरक्तुभिर्व्यक्तं यमो ददात्यवसानमस्मै || 9
अति द्रव सारमेयौ श्वानौ चतुरक्षौ शबलौ साधुना पथा | अथा पितॄन्त्सुविदत्रानुपेहि यमेन ये सधमादं मदन्ति || 10
यौ ते श्वानौ यम रक्षितारौ चतुरक्षौ पथिरक्षी नृचक्षसौ | ताभ्यामेनं परि देहि राजन्त्स्वस्ति चास्मानमीवं च धेहि || 11
उरूणसावसुतृपा उदुम्बलौ यमस्य दूतौ चरतो जनाँ अनु | तावस्मभ्यं दृशये सूर्याय पुनर्दातामसुमद्येह भद्रम || 12
यमाय सोमं सुनुत यमय जुहुता हविः | यमँ ह यज्ञो गच्छत्यग्निदूतो अरंकृत || 13
यमाय घृतवद्धविर्जुहोत प्र च तिष्ठत | स नोदेवेष्वा यमद्दीर्घमायुः प्र जीवसे || 14
यमाय मधुमत्तमं राज्ञे हव्यं जुहोतन | इदं नमर्षिभ्यः पूर्वजेभ्यः पूर्वेभ्यः पथिकृद्भ्यः || 15
त्रिकद्रुकेभिः पतति षळ उर्वीरेकमिद्बृहत | त्रिष्टुब्गायत्री छन्दांसि सर्वा ता यम आहिता || 16 (Rig. Veda. 10.14).
Brief Summary : This is a sukta in honor of Yama. We honor Yama, Vivasvan's son, who gathers all men together, and shows them a place to stay. He travels above and shows the path to many. Men may chose their own path to their ancestors (based on their deeds). Along with the Angirasas, Atharvans, Bhrigus, Yama is invited to have Soma. All the meters Tristub, Gayatri are contained in Yama. Mantra 8 and 9 in this sukta explain that Yamaloka is an abode for the ancestors, where they are given a place to rest with light and water.
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. However it should be emphasized that Naraka does exist and Yamadeva oversees the activities there.
It is also explained that Yama strolls along with other devatas (Rig. Veda.10.135.1). Therefore it is not correct to say that Yama is only the master of the Naraka (hell).
Nachiketa’s journey to Yamaloka describes Nachiketa's realisation that the yamaloka was the resting place of his pitris (ancestors). He also heard the playing of the flute (Rig Veda. 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.'