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Line 7: − *'''Suryaputra''' : Yama is the son of Surya and Samjna, the daughter of Viswakarma. + − Line 45:
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Line 121: − "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.'+ − "Bhishma said, 'In this connection, O Yudhishthira, is recited the narrative of the discourse that took place in ancient times between a Brahmana and Yama. In the country lying between the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, at the foot of the hills called Yamuna, there was a large town inhabited by Brahmanas. The town was celebrated under the name of Parnasala and was very delightful in appearance, O king. A large number of learned Brahmanas lived in it. One day, Yama, the ruler of the dead, commanded a messenger of his, who was clad in black, endued with blood-red eyes and hair standing erect, and possessed of feet, eyes, and nose all of which resembled those of a crow, saying, 'Go thou to the town inhabited by Brahmanas and bring hither the person known by the name of Sarmin and belonging by birth to the race of Agastya. He is intent on mental tranquillity and possessed of learning. He is a preceptor engaged in teaching the Vedas and his practices are well-known. Do not bring me another person belonging to the same race and living in the same neighbourhood. This other man is equal unto him I want, in virtues, study, and birth. With respect to children and conduct, this other resembles the intelligent Sarmin. Do thou bring the individual I have in view. He should be worshipped with respect (instead of being dragged hither with irreverence).' The messenger having come to the place, did the very reverse of what he had been bidden to do. Attacking that person, he brought him who had been forbidden by Yama to be brought. Possessed of great energy, Yama rose up at the sight of the Brahmana and worshipped him duly. The king of the dead then commanded his messenger, saying, 'Let this one be taken back, and let the other one be brought to me.' When the great judge of the dead said these words, that Brahmana addressed him and said, 'I have completed my study of the Vedas and am no longer attached to the world. Whatever period may yet remain of my mortal existence, I wish to pass, dwelling even here, O thou of unfading glory! 1+ Line 152:
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→Introduction
* '''Agrasandhani''' : As a time and book keeper, Yama records the virtuous and sinful acts of men in this book named Agrasandhani, and Chitragupta is his associate in enforcing justice.
* '''Agrasandhani''' : As a time and book keeper, Yama records the virtuous and sinful acts of men in this book named Agrasandhani, and Chitragupta is his associate in enforcing justice.
*'''Yama avataras''' : Yama was born as Vidura, as he was cursed by Maharshi Animaandavya as seen in Mahabharata. Yudhisthira was the eldest of the Pandavas, who was born to Kunti, after invoking Yamadeva.
*'''Yama avataras''' : Yama was born as Vidura, as he was cursed by Maharshi Animaandavya as seen in Mahabharata. Yudhisthira was the eldest of the Pandavas, who was born to Kunti, after invoking Yamadeva.
*'''Kaakaswaroopa''' : Yama took the form of a Crow and escaped, when at King Marutta's Maheswara's sattrayaga, he saw Ravanasura. Pleased with crows, he blessed that crows will have the right to eat rice offered to pitrus or ancestors. (as in Uttararamayana)
*'''Kaakaswaroopa''' : Yama took the form of a Crow and escaped, when at King Marutta's Maheswara's sattrayaga, he saw Ravanasura. Pleased with crows, he blessed that crows will have the right to eat rice offered to pitrus or ancestors. (as in Uttararamayana)
*'''Ramaavatara Samaapti''' : At the end of Sri Rama's rule after 11,000 years, upon Brahmadeva's request Yama descends, on earth, in the form of a maharshi, to recall Sri Mahavishnu back to Vaikuntha. Yama visits Sri Rama and in the ensuing events, Lakshmana first enters Sarayu river followed by Sri Rama, thereby leaving the mortal forms.
*'''Ramaavatara Samaapti''' : At the end of Sri Rama's rule after 11,000 years, upon Brahmadeva's request Yama descends, on earth, in the form of a maharshi, to recall Sri Mahavishnu back to Vaikuntha. Yama visits Sri Rama and in the ensuing events, Lakshmana first enters Sarayu river followed by Sri Rama, thereby leaving the mortal forms.
*'''Maarkandeya Yamagaatha''' : The legend about Yama and Maarkandeya, a youth of sixteen years age, who prays to Shiva for longevity is well known. When Yama, in arrogance throws his noose around Maarkandeya who was holding the Shivalinga, Shiva appears and burnt Yama to ashes thereby protecting Maarkandeya. At that time there was no Yama to govern the process of death. Similar such age when there was no Yama includes the Kritayuga, when the earth was overcrowded with living beings.
*'''Maarkandeya Yamagaatha''' : The legend about Yama and Maarkandeya, a youth of sixteen years age, who prays to Shiva for longevity is well known. When Yama, in arrogance throws his noose around Maarkandeya who was holding the Shivalinga, Shiva appears and burnt Yama to ashes thereby protecting Maarkandeya. At that time there was no Yama to govern the process of death. Similar such age when there was no Yama includes the Kritayuga, when the earth was overcrowded with living beings.
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
=== Yama Sukta यम सूक्त ===
वैवस्वतो यमः। यमः,६ अङ्गिरःपित्रथर्वभृगुसोमाः,७-९ लिङ्गोक्तदेवताः पितरो वा,१०-१२ श्वानौ। त्रिष्टुप्,१३,१४,१६, अनुष्टुप्, १५ बृहती।
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
परेयिवांसं प्रवतो महीरनु बहुभ्यः पन्थामनुपस्पशानम | वैवस्वतं संगमनं जनानां यमं राजानं हविषा दुवस्य || 1
pareyivāṁsaṁ pravato mahīranu bahubhyaḥ panthāmanupaspaśānama | vaivasvataṁ saṁgamanaṁ janānāṁ yamaṁ rājānaṁ haviṣā duvasya || 1
यमो नो गातुं प्रथमो विवेद नैषा गव्यूतिरपभर्तवा उ | यत्रा नः पूर्वे पितरः परेयुरेना जज्ञानाः पथ्या अनु सवाः || 2
यमो नो गातुं प्रथमो विवेद नैषा गव्यूतिरपभर्तवा उ | यत्रा नः पूर्वे पितरः परेयुरेना जज्ञानाः पथ्या अनु सवाः || 2
yamo no gātuṁ prathamo viveda naiṣā gavyūtirapabhartavā u | yatrā naḥ pūrve pitaraḥ pareyurenā jajñānāḥ pathyā anu savāḥ || 2
मातली कव्यैर्यमो अङगिरोभिर्बृहस्पतिऋक्वभिर्वावृधानः | याँश्च देवा वावृधुर्ये च देवान्त्स्वाहान्ये स्वधयान्ये मदन्ति || 3
मातली कव्यैर्यमो अङगिरोभिर्बृहस्पतिऋक्वभिर्वावृधानः | याँश्च देवा वावृधुर्ये च देवान्त्स्वाहान्ये स्वधयान्ये मदन्ति || 3
mātalī kavyairyamo aṅagirobhirbr̥haspatir̥kvabhirvāvr̥dhānaḥ | yām̐śca
devā vāvr̥dhurye ca devāntsvāhānye svadhayānye madanti || 3
इमं यम प्रस्तरमा हि सीदाऽङगिरोभिः पित्र्भिःसंविदानः | आ त्वा मन्त्राः कविशस्ता वहन्त्वेना राजन्हविषा मादयस्व || 4
इमं यम प्रस्तरमा हि सीदाऽङगिरोभिः पित्र्भिःसंविदानः | आ त्वा मन्त्राः कविशस्ता वहन्त्वेना राजन्हविषा मादयस्व || 4
imaṁ yama prastaramā hi sīdā'ṅagirobhiḥ pitrbhiḥsaṁvidānaḥ | ā tvā mantrāḥ kaviśastā vahantvenā rājanhaviṣā mādayasva || 4
अङगिरोभिरा गहि यज्ञियेभिर्यम वैरूपैरिह मादयस्व | विवस्वन्तं हुवे यः पिता तेऽस्मिन्यज्ञे बर्हिष्यानिषद्य || 5
अङगिरोभिरा गहि यज्ञियेभिर्यम वैरूपैरिह मादयस्व | विवस्वन्तं हुवे यः पिता तेऽस्मिन्यज्ञे बर्हिष्यानिषद्य || 5
aṅagirobhirā gahi yajñiyebhiryama vairūpairiha mādayasva | vivasvantaṁ huve yaḥ pitā te'sminyajñe barhiṣyāniṣadya || 5
अङगिरसो नः पितरो नवग्वा अथर्वाणो भृगवः सोम्यासः | तेषां वयं सुमतौ यज्ञियानामपि भद्रे सौमनसेस्याम || 6
अङगिरसो नः पितरो नवग्वा अथर्वाणो भृगवः सोम्यासः | तेषां वयं सुमतौ यज्ञियानामपि भद्रे सौमनसेस्याम || 6
aṅagiraso naḥ pitaro navagvā atharvāṇo bhr̥gavaḥ somyāsaḥ | teṣāṁ vayaṁ sumatau yajñiyānāmapi bhadre saumanasesyāma || 6
प्रेहि प्रेहि पथिभिः पूर्व्येभिर्यत्रा नः पूर्वे पितरःपरेयुः | उभा राजाना स्वधया मदन्ता यमं पश्यासिवरुणं च देवम || 7
प्रेहि प्रेहि पथिभिः पूर्व्येभिर्यत्रा नः पूर्वे पितरःपरेयुः | उभा राजाना स्वधया मदन्ता यमं पश्यासिवरुणं च देवम || 7
prehi prehi pathibhiḥ pūrvyebhiryatrā naḥ pūrve pitaraḥpareyuḥ | ubhā
rājānā svadhayā madantā yamaṁ paśyāsivaruṇaṁ ca devama || 7
सं गच्छस्व पित्र्भिः सं यमेनेष्टापूर्तेन परमेव्योमन् | हित्वायावद्यं पुनरस्तमेहि सं गच्छस्व तन्वासुवर्चाः || 8
सं गच्छस्व पित्र्भिः सं यमेनेष्टापूर्तेन परमेव्योमन् | हित्वायावद्यं पुनरस्तमेहि सं गच्छस्व तन्वासुवर्चाः || 8
saṁ gacchasva pitrbhiḥ saṁ yameneṣṭāpūrtena paramevyoman | hitvāyāvadyaṁ punarastamehi saṁ gacchasva tanvāsuvarcāḥ || 8
अपेत वीत वि च सर्पतातोऽस्मा एतं पितरो लोकमक्रन् | अहोभिरद्भिरक्तुभिर्व्यक्तं यमो ददात्यवसानमस्मै || 9
अपेत वीत वि च सर्पतातोऽस्मा एतं पितरो लोकमक्रन् | अहोभिरद्भिरक्तुभिर्व्यक्तं यमो ददात्यवसानमस्मै || 9
apeta vīta vi ca sarpatāto'smā etaṁ pitaro lokamakran | ahobhiradbhiraktubhirvyaktaṁ yamo dadātyavasānamasmai || 9
अति द्रव सारमेयौ श्वानौ चतुरक्षौ शबलौ साधुना पथा | अथा पितॄन्त्सुविदत्रानुपेहि यमेन ये सधमादं मदन्ति || 10
अति द्रव सारमेयौ श्वानौ चतुरक्षौ शबलौ साधुना पथा | अथा पितॄन्त्सुविदत्रानुपेहि यमेन ये सधमादं मदन्ति || 10
ati drava sārameyau śvānau caturakṣau śabalau sādhunā pathā | athā pitr̥̄ntsuvidatrānupehi yamena ye sadhamādaṁ madanti || 10
यौ ते श्वानौ यम रक्षितारौ चतुरक्षौ पथिरक्षी नृचक्षसौ | ताभ्यामेनं परि देहि राजन्त्स्वस्ति चास्मानमीवं च धेहि || 11
यौ ते श्वानौ यम रक्षितारौ चतुरक्षौ पथिरक्षी नृचक्षसौ | ताभ्यामेनं परि देहि राजन्त्स्वस्ति चास्मानमीवं च धेहि || 11
yau te śvānau yama rakṣitārau caturakṣau pathirakṣī nr̥cakṣasau | tābhyāmenaṁ pari dehi rājantsvasti cāsmānamīvaṁ ca dhehi || 11
उरूणसावसुतृपा उदुम्बलौ यमस्य दूतौ चरतो जनाँ अनु | तावस्मभ्यं दृशये सूर्याय पुनर्दातामसुमद्येह भद्रम || 12
उरूणसावसुतृपा उदुम्बलौ यमस्य दूतौ चरतो जनाँ अनु | तावस्मभ्यं दृशये सूर्याय पुनर्दातामसुमद्येह भद्रम || 12
urūṇasāvasutr̥pā udumbalau yamasya dūtau carato janām̐ anu | tāvasmabhyaṁ dr̥śaye sūryāya punardātāmasumadyeha bhadrama || 12
यमाय सोमं सुनुत यमय जुहुता हविः | यमँ ह यज्ञो गच्छत्यग्निदूतो अरंकृत || 13
यमाय सोमं सुनुत यमय जुहुता हविः | यमँ ह यज्ञो गच्छत्यग्निदूतो अरंकृत || 13
yamāya somaṁ sunuta yamaya juhutā haviḥ | yamam̐ ha yajño gacchatyagnidūto araṁkr̥ta || 13
यमाय घृतवद्धविर्जुहोत प्र च तिष्ठत | स नोदेवेष्वा यमद्दीर्घमायुः प्र जीवसे || 14
यमाय घृतवद्धविर्जुहोत प्र च तिष्ठत | स नोदेवेष्वा यमद्दीर्घमायुः प्र जीवसे || 14
yamāya ghr̥tavaddhavirjuhota pra ca tiṣṭhata | sa nodeveṣvā yamaddīrghamāyuḥ pra jīvase || 14
यमाय मधुमत्तमं राज्ञे हव्यं जुहोतन | इदं नमर्षिभ्यः पूर्वजेभ्यः पूर्वेभ्यः पथिकृद्भ्यः || 15
यमाय मधुमत्तमं राज्ञे हव्यं जुहोतन | इदं नमर्षिभ्यः पूर्वजेभ्यः पूर्वेभ्यः पथिकृद्भ्यः || 15
yamāya madhumattamaṁ rājñe havyaṁ juhotana | idaṁ namarṣibhyaḥ pūrvajebhyaḥ pūrvebhyaḥ pathikr̥dbhyaḥ || 15
त्रिकद्रुकेभिः पतति षळ उर्वीरेकमिद्बृहत | त्रिष्टुब्गायत्री छन्दांसि सर्वा ता यम आहिता || 16 (Rig. Veda. 10.14).
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.
trikadrukebhiḥ patati ṣaḻa urvīrekamidbr̥hata | triṣṭubgāyatrī chandāṁsi sarvā tā yama āhitā || 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.
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.
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).
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 once requested Bhishmacharya to describe the greatness in giving gifts, sesame or til seeds, of lighting lamps and giving Vastra or clothes. Bhishmaacharya in this context recited the narrative of the conversation that took place in ancient times between a Brahmana called Sarmi and Yama.
In the country lying between the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, at the foot of the hills of Yamuna, in a town called Parnasala, there were a number of eminent scholars. In this places lived a well learned Brahmana called Sarmi. One day, Kaala or Yama's messengers were instructed to bring one of the two persons who were named Sarmi. The did the very reverse of what Yama had been bidden them to do. Attacking that person, he brought him who had been forbidden by Yama to be brought. Possessed of great energy, Yama rose up at the sight of the Brahmana and worshipped him duly. The king of the dead then commanded his messenger, saying, 'Let this one be taken back, and let the other one be brought to me.' When the great judge of the dead said these words, that Brahmana addressed him and said, 'I have completed my study of the Vedas and am no longer attached to the world. Whatever period may yet remain of my mortal existence, I wish to pass, dwelling even here, O thou of unfading glory! 1
"Yama said, 'I cannot ascertain the exact period, ordained by Time, of one's life, and hence, unurged by Time, I cannot allow one to take up one's residence here. I take note of the acts of righteousness (or otherwise) that one does in the world. Do thou, O learned Brahmana of great splendour return immediately to thy abode. 'I ell me what also is in thy mind and what I can do for thee, O thou of unfading glory!'
"Yama said, 'I cannot ascertain the exact period, ordained by Time, of one's life, and hence, unurged by Time, I cannot allow one to take up one's residence here. I take note of the acts of righteousness (or otherwise) that one does in the world. Do thou, O learned Brahmana of great splendour return immediately to thy abode. 'I ell me what also is in thy mind and what I can do for thee, O thou of unfading glory!'
== References ==
== References ==
# VSP
# VSP
# The Mahabharata, Book 13: Anusasana Parva: Section LXVIII
# The Mahabharata, Book 13: Anusasana Parva: Section 68